Sports highlights: Weeks 3 & 4

The following highlights from various sports clubs and teams were compiled from recent reports. If any captains or team members have a result that you'd like to feature in the next round-up, please contact comms@caths.cam.ac.uk.

Rowing

The St Catharine’s College Boat Club (SCCBC) entered both a men’s crew and a women’s crew in the University IVs Regatta (28 October–1 November), a knock-out competition on the Cam.

The men entered with two months of training (and 21 total years of rowing at Catz) behind them and confidence that they had a real chance of winning. Sure enough, they beat Queens’, the Lady Margaret Boat Club, Christ’s and Clare on the way to their overall victory, and recorded the first, second, third and fifth fastest times this year, with an average winning margin of 26 seconds! (SCCBC)

In an array of pink leopard-print and wheel-based stash, the women were victorious over boats from Fitzwilliam, Peterhouse and Queens’ Colleges in the first three rounds. Cheered on by supporters on the riverbank, they gave the final everything they had and lost to the First and Third Boat Club by only a second. (SCCBC)   

John Hayton (2018, Natural Sciences; now back for a Chemistry PhD), men's captain and part of the victorious men's boat, reflected:

“This represents a huge victory for Catz, tempered only by the women losing in the final by the finest margins, and us falling short of the overall course record by 5 seconds.”

Men’s football

St Catharine’s football players are reigning champions in both the Cuppers and Shield knock-out competitions, and hopes for this year were high following early wins in inter-collegiate league campaigns: the first team beat King’s 3-1 in Division 2 and the second team beat Emmanuel 5-2 in Division 3! (The FA)

The first team faced stiff opposition from Girton at home on the St Catharine’s pitches for their first-round Cuppers match and couldn’t quite replicate last year’s success, with the match ending 2-1 to Girton. The second team had a bye in the first round of the Shield competition and is set to face Queens’ in the second round (kick off 2pm on 23 November at the St Catharine’s sports ground for any supporters who want to cheer them on).

Netball

The mixed netball team started off their Division 2 matches against Trinity Hall in a tightly fought match of 5-a-side (after fewer opponents turned up than necessary). They were only one goal ahead at half time and managed to maintain the lead through to the final whistle. The final score was a 16-15 win. (The Kittbag)

Unfortunately this early success couldn’t be replicated against Jesus College: while St Catharine’s was again ahead by a goal at half time, our opponents benefited from substitutions and managed to put 8 goals past us in the second half to win 14-7. (The Kittbag)

The St Catharine’s ladies netball team enjoyed a similar start to the new season: their Division 3 matches saw them pitted against Newnham (which finished as a 7-11 loss) and Gonville & Caius (an impressive 12-0 victory). (University of Cambridge Sport)

Mixed Lacrosse

The team’s second match of the new season was against Robinson College, who they overwhelmed to end the match 3-0 ahead, with two goals scored by Freshers. (The Kittbag)

Despite keeping clean sheets in their first two matches, the team were unable to continue this trend against a combined team representing Homerton and Clare Colleges. The game was tight, finishing 2-1 to our opponents who are now top of Division 1 (though hopefully not for long). (University of Cambridge Sport)