Page 22 - LBV 2023

Ex BLUE OXBRIDGE
Ex Blue Oxbridge, a joint leadership
and development between Cambridge and Oxford UOTCs, took place over
the weekend of 10-12 March 2023.
Now entering it’s third year it pits Officer Cadets from Cambridge and Oxford against each other in a range of challenging activities for the ultimate prize – bragging rights! It also provides sports teams an opportunity to train and play competitive matches in preparation for the Queens Challenge Cup, held annually at RMAS. Hosted by Oxford this year, Cambridge were out for revenge, having been soundly trounced the previous year.
The challenges were both physical and cerebral with sports teams engaging in rugby, football, hockey, tug of war and cross country as well as a march and shoot competition. A formal debate also took place in Magdalen Auditorium. The event kicked off early Saturday morning from Abingdon Barracks, where we
were accommodated, with the March and Shoot competition. As the current national OTC Army Reserve Operational Shooting Competition Champions for the last two years, we had little trouble over-
coming Oxford. A great start!
The events then moved over to St
Edward’s School, Oxford where the sports events were hosted. Cambridge UOTC were victorious at football
with both men’s and women’s teams overcoming Oxford with hat-tricks courtesy of OCdt Karaalp and JUO Allen respectively. The netball team continued its excellent season by trouncing
Oxford – a massive turnaround from
last year with excellent management
and leadership shown by JUO Slater. Unfortunately, disappointment followed on the hockey and rugby pitches. In addition, despite plenty of grit and determination the Tug of War team was just not big enough to give Oxford much trouble. The sports ended with an energy sapping cross country event where honours were shared. This meant that the result of the whole weekend hung on the debate!
The debate topic was ‘THB the Integrated Review’s ‘Indo-Pacific Tilt’ is
a strategic error which undermines the UK’s military capabilities against its main security threat: Russia.’ The chair was Dr Alexander Morrison, a historian of empire
and of colonial warfare, with a particular focus on the Russians in Central Asia. The debate was hard fought but due to the time and dedication and talent put into the event from 2Lts Hall and Friend. the casting vote from the chair ensured the win for Cambridge!
The event concluded with a most excellent Ghurkha curry and prize giving. The final award of the evening going to the best sports person from Cambridge as voted for by Oxford Officer Cadets, JUO Allen.
Maj Sue Chittock
22 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER