Churchill facing Gonville & Caius in last year’s cricket Cuppers match CRICKET AT CHURCHILL COLLEGE BY JOHN SUTTON, CC BY-SA 2.0, HTTPS://COMMONS. WIKIMEDIA. ORG/W/INDEX. PHP? CURID=109000859
The sun is shining again, the evenings are staying lighter longer, and it’s finally warm enough to leave your coat behind. Even though Easter Term means exams are coming up soon, it also brings back the chance to enjoy a sunny Cambridge and kick off a fresh season of sport with the better weather. Early term is packed with rugby and football games, but as summer approaches, sports like cricket, athletics, and tennis start taking center stage. Here’s a quick look at some of the big events you won’t want to miss this term.
Cuppers galore
As term begins, we’re hit with loads of exciting cuppers semifinals and finals. It all starts on 26 April with the men’s football final between Pembroke and Fitzwilliam, followed closely by the women’s final between Jesus and Fitz/Corpus-both expected to be tight games featuring plenty of talent according to Varsity.
The following weekend keeps the action going strong: on 29 April there are rugby semifinals plus netball finals day at the university sports center. The netball cuppers will be intense-with quarterfinals through finals played as fast-paced 7-minute halves-and will wrap up before moving on to mixed competition. Meanwhile, although rugby semis happen that same day, their finals won’t be decided until the weekend after on 5th and 6th May.
Cricket
After months away during winter, cricket is already picking up in Cambridge even before term officially starts. Both Blues teams have busy schedules leading up to exams-the women play their home game against Oxford on 26 May while the men’s team has their last BUCS home match at Fenners on 10 May. But probably the biggest highlight will be the Varsity T20 matches held at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on 11 May. And don’t worry-cricket doesn’t stop after exams either; more varsity games are planned for later in summer.
Athletics
Cambridge University Athletics Club members will be back competing in their Varsity match on 7 May. This year it returns to Cambridge which means athletes get to show off in front of a home crowd as they aim to defend both titles they won last year during what should be a fiercely competitive day full of running, jumping, and throwing events.
On the river
With longer evenings comes evening rowing sessions-a nice change from early mornings during Lent Term-for college rowers gearing up for May Bumps from Wednesday 14 June through Saturday 17 June (with getting-on-race set for 9 June). Only top crews can fight for head of the river but many teams will be dreaming about grabbing blades instead-and those races always promise plenty of excitement.
While we’re talking water sports, don’t forget about Cambridge’s famous cardboard boat race held every year right after bumps-it kicks off May Week in style with hilarious chaos as students try not to sink while paddling around in boats made from saved Amazon boxes. Honestly though, it’s quite a sight seeing who manages to stay dry this time around.
Football Varsity
The football varsity matches are back on after being called off due to bad pitch conditions late last term-they’re now scheduled for 1 May at Oxford City Stadium. The women’s Blues hope to keep their amazing run alive this season which included finishing second nationally at BUCS by aiming straight for that varsity trophy again. Having already beaten Oxford once earlier this year gives the men extra motivation too-they’ll want revenge after last year’s loss by keeping their teamwork sharp.
Looking over everything coming up this term makes clear it’ll be an exciting few months for sport here in Cambridge-fingers crossed we get good weather so everyone can really enjoy it all fully.
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