It was one of those weekends where it felt like everything was happening at once—exam revision, pub trip, and plenty of sport to keep up with. Whether you were taking a break or looking for an excuse to procrastinate, there was a lot of action to follow. Here’s a quick round-up of everything Oxford from last weekend!
Varsity T20 cricket—Friday 9 May, Lord’s Cricket Ground
Oxford fell to a frustrating eight-wicket defeat in the 2025 Men’s T20 Varsity Match at Lord’s, as a strong Cambridge side chased down their modest total of 106 with 29 balls to spare. Batting first, Oxford never really got going—early wickets fell, and it was hard to build any momentum, despite a few players digging in, including top-scorer Henry Nicholls who fought hard to build some foundation to the Oxford innings. Freddie Kottler’s quick half-century helped to seal the deal for Cambridge, and saw his side home comfortably. Although it won’t be the result Oxford were hoping for, playing at Lord’s on such a lovely day made it a great experience all the same.
On the flip side, the Women’s Blues dominated their game, winning decisively. They secured a dominant 71-run victory over Cambridge. Electing to bat first, Oxford posted a strong total, with solid contributions across the order, including Hannah Davis’ 55 runs. In reply, Cambridge struggled against Oxford’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for just 58 in 17.2 overs, with Davis once again the star, picking up 4 wickets to add to her runs that morning.
Varsity Bowl XVIII—Saturday 10 May, University Parks
Last weekend, the Oxford Lancers welcomed the Cambridge Pythons on their home field in University Parks. While spectators were taking their seats in the almost sold-out stands, both teams performed their pre-game rituals in the sun, promising an exciting matchup. After kickoff, the Pythons offense moved forward slowly. Facing a well-prepared Lancers defence, they struggled to gain yards, ending up in an interception thrown by the Cambridge QB. This turnover resulted in a touchdown by Oxford and stood representative of a dominance that lasted for the whole match. Even though Cambridge could anticipate some plays by reading the Oxford offence, their defense struggled to finish their tackles. The Lancers, due to their physical dominance and great pass-plays, put 28 points on the scoreboard before halftime, while the Pythons remained scoreless. The second quarter opened with yet another Oxford touchdown, taking the Varsity trophy firmly out of reach for their opponents. As the heat and physical exhaustion affected the Lancers’ concentration, a few flags, such as false starts, kept them from upping the score even more. Despite the large point deficit, the Pythons never quit fighting and worked their way down the field through run-game and short pass plays. However, a vigilant and physical Lancers defence kept the score to nil. Towards the end of the match, Cambridge made it more difficult for their opponents to score points but did not have the strength to keep them from scoring a final touchdown – ending the game with a scoreline of 48-0.
After three hours of great effort from both teams, the Oxford Lancers’ advantages in physicality and play design made them the well-deserved winner of the Varsity Bowl XVIII, and hosts of the trophy for yet another year.
Town and Gown 10k—Sunday 11 May, Oxford city centre
Last Sunday (11 May) marked the return of the Bidwells Oxford 10K, a popular annual run through the city centre that supports Muscular Dystrophy UK. The route started on Banbury Road before turning south along Broad Street (where I stationed myself for some people-watching) and Queen’s Lane and finally finishing in University Parks. This year was the 43rd edition of the race that saw over 5,000 runners take to the streets, and it was a perfectly uplifting ending to this sunny weekend of sport!