Newsletter – Michaelmas 2019
BUCS:
The BUCS team of university players has had a strong start to the season, winning all 5 of their games so far, including a 20 – 0 win over Nottingham 4’s. Consistently strong performances have come from fresher Sam Allen with 15 goals from 5 games, Danny Cronin transitioned well from mixed, scoring a couple of hattricks and providing some pace in midfield, and fresher Angus McIntosh stepping up in defence and helping to produce 3 clean sheets.
The most challenging match this year was a tough game against Oxford Brookes in the Midlands Conference cup. A pre-match debacle involving a lack of suitable goalie kit led to a slightly delayed start, with a bare minimum of 10 players, and a first time goalie in the cage. Nerves and disorganisation did tell, with Cambridge conceding the first goal to a determined Brookes offence. The boys in (light) blue soon fought back, with well worked goals for Sam Allen and Ash Clark on either wing. A further wobble in defence led to a miscommunication and a deserved goal for Oxford Brookes. The second quarter brought with it more possession for Cambridge, with Brookes barely getting the ball over the halfway thanks in part to a strong, Cambridge ride. Though the team struggled to turn the possession into points, the unrelenting pressure of the green machine eventually paid off with another goal for Ash Clark. Going into the third quarter cavalry arrived in the form of a couple of other players, giving the team extra momentum. With this boost Cambridge turned the screw home, maintaining long possessions and ultimately scoring 3 goals thanks to some rockets from Sam Allen and a strong crease game from Ben Briggs giving us a strong lead going into the final quarter. The final quarter Brookes fought back, doing their level best to claw their way into the game, though they did eventually succeed in scoring, the Cambridge attack again proved too much for them, with two more goals for Ash Clark, and one for Vice-Captain Patrick Nevill sealing the game 9-3 to Cambridge.
The team has developed well over the course of the term, particularly the new freshers, with 11 freshers picking up a stick for the first time. Despite being new to the game the freshers have produced some fine performances, with 3 man of the match performances. Looking ahead, there are 3 matches this Lent, including our rearranged league decider against Lincoln, so its all to play for!
SEMLA 1st team:
The first team has had a tough season so far, our local league opposition providing the strongest opponents in the form of Welwyn and Hitchin. The regular league has also provided tough competition in the form of Spencer 2’s and Hillcroft 2’s in particular. The team has looked good at times, working very well together, but has been frustrated by a lack of conversion and a lack of discipline. Last Saturday’s narrow 9 – 6 defeat to Oxf*rd proved a prime example, with Cambridge dominating the groundball game and playing with high intensity, but struggling to convert possession into points. Nevertheless the improvement in the last term has been dramatic and the upcoming varsity match set to be a close affair.
Eagles (SEMLA 2nd team):
The Eagles have had a mixed start to the year, not winning any games, but still putting in some strong performances, particularly for the new debutants. Danny Cronin and Manu Ratnayake in particular are to be commended for their graceful runs upfield. Manu needs to be reminded however that as a goalie, running upfield is not always the best option and whilst his search for the elusive “coast to coast” is to be commended, dodging on poles proved a step too far! Returning Eagles players Simon Bleet and Ralph Knight have also proven that age, like blood pressure and heart rate, is just a number, one that only ever gets higher! Despite this both managed to play all three of the Eagles games so far and with only short breaks to serve penalties.
Varsity:
Varsity this year is on Saturday 22nd February, starting at 12:30pm at Oxford University Parks OX1 3RF. The light blues are hoping to regain the trophy after a disappointing few years, not helped by Oxf*rd’s recruitment of the first choice England pole in 2018. There is also an alumni match starting at 9:30am at the same venue, anyone looking to be involved should contact Will Barrie (williamfsbarrie@gmail.com).
Sponsorship and fundraising:
CULC are pleased to announce our sponsor for the year is Cantab Asset Management. Cantab is a professional firm of independent discretionary investment managers and financial planners committed to providing an objective and comprehensive service to charities, trusts, family offices and private clients. The roots of the firm go back over thirty years in Cambridge and London.
Cantab has a graduate recruitment scheme and is looking for talented individuals who are highly literate, numerate, team players who wish to join a growing firm with high standards and first class service to clients.
Cantab has achieved outstanding investment performance with its Moderate and Balanced funds recording growth rates of 18.9% and 20.2% respectively for the 2019 calendar year. Cantab has recently launched the VT Cantab Sustainable Global Equity Fund to provide an ESG integrated fund for colleges and other institutions.
If you would like to make an enquiry, please contact advice@cantabam.com.
Looking ahead to next year CULC is looking to develop long term sponsorship opportunities to help reduce costs to the team. If anyone is interested in sponsoring us for the 20/21 season please contact Thomas Chalklen (tac49@cam.ac.uk). Similarly for anyone who is in a position to make a one off or regular donation to help support the club, you can set up a direct debit or make a one off payment through our university giving page, any contribution is welcome.
Cambridge University Lacrosse Club 