2013 Annual Report - Jesus College - University of Cambridge

128 SPORTS CLUBS I Jesus College Annual Report 2013
All in all, three top-half finishes, two cup finals, one cup win and a promotion proved
why Jesus is always considered a strong footballing college. The first team will be
thinking of ‘what might have been’ for a while yet, but the club goes into next season
even hungrier for more success under the captaincies of John Crawford, Simon Pittaway
and Freddie Valletta. Onwards and upwards!
Tim Kitching
Hockey
2013 saw history made as, for the first time in living memory, both Jesus Men’s teams
reached the Cuppers Final. The Men’s 2nd team had a heroic season and, thanks to a
strong and dedicated influx of freshers, swept aside all other competition in their path to
the Final, including last year’s winners and bitter rivals St Catherine’s who they bested in
a thrilling Quarter Final match that ended with a last-minute goal in extra time.
Meanwhile, the Men’s 1st Team romped to victory as Division 1 Champions and
trampled St Johns in the Cuppers Semi-Finals. This year’s squad was once again studded
with players from all three of the University squads as well as some JCHC legends
including Sam Grimshaw, who this year scored his 150th goal for the college.
Loyalties were tested as players decided on their allegiances and Jesuans turned out en
mass to watch the battle between youth and experience. Despite giving the 1st Team a
scare with an early goal, in the end even the famous Spirit of the 2nd Team was not
enough to overcome the might of the 1st XI who completed their perfect season with a
7-2 victory over the 2s. The final was a true celebration of the depth of skilled players at
Jesus and bodes well for the future.
This year was another strong season for the Jesus women’s hockey team. Suffering
from a lack of second and first year interest, the team often consisted of fewer than
eleven players, but this did not stop them finishing a solid fourth place in Division One
of the women’s league. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly beating St Catz,
who won the league, 1-0. This was testament to the hard work and perseverance of the
Jesus team, compared to the University-player dominated opposition. The strong hockey
tradition for Jesus women looks set to continue, as many players are staying on at the
college, although the team are very much hoping for an influx of hockey-playing
freshers next year!
Barney Walker and Katherine Message