2002 – 2003

Men’s First XI

Captain Oliver Leyland; Secretary/Treasurer Adam Pilling

Given the successful consolidation of the club’s premier league status in the previous season and the arrival of a large number of talented freshers, hopes for the season were high. The league began chaotically because, thanks to OUAFC’s apparent inability or unwillingness to take responsibility for its organisation, Michaelmas Term began with two rival fixture lists in operation. When the position had been clarified, the hope of great success in the league, engendered by the team’s victory in a ‘friendly’ against Jesus, was immediately dashed by defeats in the first two league matches by the eventual champions New College and runners-up St Catherine’s. However, victories over last-year’s double winners Magdalen by 4-1, Hertford twice by 1-0 and 2-0, St Edmund Hall twice and a draw against Keble helped the position, but it was believed that victory over Wadham, the eventual Cuppers winners, in the final match was essential to avoid relegation. Two late goals by Adam Pilling secured victory in a dramatic game, and it transpired that, because of other results, Queen’s finished fifth in the league, well clear of the relegation zone. As in the previous season, the Cuppers campaign ended at the quarter-final stage. After comfortable victories over St John’s and St Peter’s in the first two rounds Queen’s lost to St Catherine’s for the third time in the season.

The partnership of strikers Pilling and Macrae which produced twenty goals this year was the foundation of many of the team’s successes; and the fact that both are available next season augurs well. Captain Leyland, moving from defence to midfield because of injuries one of which kept Sadnicki side-lined for the whole season, also made a major contribution, scoring eight times. There were also many notable performances from a talented trio of freshers, Butterfield, Pearson and McDermott. Although the team will be losing Guest and Karalis Isaac, who are going down, and Baker, one of the bulwarks of the team for three years, whose teaching practice will limit the number of appearances that he will be able to make. However, Nelson, Tunbridge and Cordle will still be available, and it is reasonable to have high hopes for next season.

Women’s XI

Captain Christina Levick; Vice-Captain Natalie Dunford

The team has enjoyed a very successful season, finishing second in the league and runners-up in Cuppers. A number of new players joined the club, most notably Susan Lowrey who settled comfortably into the position of striker.

There was a shortage of players at the start of the season, leading to the concession of our first game, but also to a spectacular ten-player victory over reigning Cuppers champions Keble. After the first match, Queen’s remained unbeaten going into Hilary Term. The quarter final of Cuppers against Magdalen/Linacre was closely fought, and won only after extra time in a penalty shoot-out. The semi-final against Wadham also proved to be a great challenge and not without drama. A clash of heads in the Queen’s defence resulted in a broken nose for university second team captain, Gemma Gulliford. Despite having lost one of its best players, the game turned in favour of Queen’s and was won by a single goal. Queen’s entered the Cuppers final with high spirits. Confident play by our opponents Christ Church/Oriel gave them a somewhat lucky 3-0 lead by the end of the first half. The improved performance in the second half proved insufficient to win the game, which resulted in a 3-1 defeat. Finally, QCWFS would like to thank Martin Cross for maintaining one of the best college grounds in Oxford.