The BUCS Match of the Week sees us focus on the women’s Premier South 1 as the University of Cambridge take on their old rivals the University of Oxford later today, with both sides looking to highlight their title-challenging credentials.
One of the oldest rivalries in the world, Cambridge have been playing Oxford at lacrosse for at least 107 years and this year is no different as both sides look to get one up on the other early in the season.
Both teams have started the season strongly with Cambridge winning two (20-5 v UCL, 16-8 v Cardiff) and losing two (12-5 v Bristol, 22-4 v Exeter) of their opening four matches leaving them in fourth place in the league and one place behind Oxford on six points.
Oxford meanwhile are yet to taste defeat in the league so far this season with two wins (12-6 v UCL, 9-8 v Cardiff) and an enthralling 10-10 draw with Exeter; they currently sit in third place on seven points, just three points behind Exeter in top spot.
A win for either team at this point in the season would be significant as they look to give chase to early leaders Exeter and improve upon their second (Oxford) and third (Cambridge) place finishes from last season.
Ones to Watch
University of Cambridge
A veteran in the Cambridge side, Lily Mainwaring has all the attributes of an excellent lacrosse athlete with all the experience to go with it having learned her skills at Moreton Hall School before captaining Wales at under-19 level.
Mainwaring’s been playing matches against Oxford since 2019 and has played with some of the best in the business, including England’s Julie Wise and Scotland’s Sophie Tamblyn.
Another player to keep an eye on this week is another stalwart of the Cambridge team, Jasmine Ventham.
One of Cambridge’s captains up until this season, Ventham was a pupil at Wycombe Abbey School where she first began to hone her lacrosse game before heading to Cambridge to study in 2020; she’s got experience playing in the annual Super Counties competition and is no stranger to a match against Oxford!
University of Oxford
Tenacious midfielder Isla Finlay brings huge positive energy to the Oxford team and her hustle in the midfield and strength in creating opportunities in the attack are what make her one of the first names on the team-sheet.
Finlay’s ability to react quickly to game-specific scenarios and help her team-mates in all areas of the pitch mean that she’s definitely one to watch.
A new addition to the Oxford squad for the 2023/24 season, Tilly Pearse is a player that Oxford are really excited about and they believe she’s a player to keep an eye on this season and over the coming years.
A former pupil at Putney High School, Pearse’s goal-scoring abilities are clear to see and the improvement in her game since the season began has been incredible to watch.
Fact Files
University of Cambridge
Team Captains | Sophie Duncan & Alice Hawken
Coaching Staff | Hollie Harrington
2022/23 League Position | 3rd (Premier South 1)
University of Oxford
Team Captains | Libby Cowan & Vicky Browne
Coaching Staff | Charlotte Williams
2022/23 League Position | 2nd (Premier South 1)
2022/23 League Meetings
Cambridge 14-13 Oxford | 26/10/22
Oxford 10-8 Cambridge | 30/11/22