Doxbridge 2008

There's always one, isn't there. The state of the pitches was of secondary concern for one coach travelling from Cambridge. I spoke to Gareth, a virgin staff member, at 05:30 (yes, it's not all beer and skittles for us you know) and all the Cambridge guys were on board and ready to boot off.

Oxford, under Kate's expert supervision, set off and Durham, eventually, did the same. It's always a relief to know coaches are on schedule for the ferries so I relaxed until 11:30 when Gareth, bless him, calls me with the voice of controlled alarm:

"Hi, Ian, we've got a guy here who's drifting in and out of consciousness because he's drunk a bottle of vodka. At the moment he's on the floor of the coach, lying in the aisle."

"Hmmm, interesting." Stop the clocks and get the ambulance there. All very amusing in retrospect but not at the time; one person was jeapordising a coach full of people arriving in Dublin. The ambulance men produced an accurate diagnosis: "he's drunk". So, onwards to Holyhead and arrive they did.

A windy start to the week knocked the pitches into shape. Not that the weather made a difference to the netball competition, safely tucked up in UCD. As always, the netball competition was healthy and robust, with 12 teams taking part.

As we from Durham all know, Oxford and Cambridge are lightweights and bowed the greatness of Hatfield and Hild and Bede, who came out on top. What's going on with Oxbridge colleges? All trigger and no shot. They'll have to up the ante next year if they want to compete...

Gareth, after his stressful journey over, found his metier at the netball. Judging by the 'attention' he received as Master-in-charge (incomprehensible attention and usually after ample use of drinks promotions it has to be said), he'll be back next year, keeping his end up.

The football was an even stronger competition with all 3 universities well represented and over 25 teams taking part.

It has to be said, mind you, that the women's competition was a pretty one-sided affair with John Snow (from Durham...) fighting it out amongst themselves. The final itself couldn''t have been closer, going to the wire and penalties. In fact, the group match hadn't separated them either but The Old Girls finally succumbed. Charley was touted as the stand-out player but there was lots of excellent play all round.

The men's competition was fierce but again, Durham dominated with a final between Hatfield and, you've guessed it, John Snow, who won. Wolfson college, however, won the prize for understated sartorial amusement. Yes, there were smurfs, yes there were doctors and nurses, but Wolfson's fawn linen suits and red tie (all bought for under £50 each) caused many a satisfied smile around Temple Bar.

The location for the hockey might have changed for 2008 but the determination to win was the same as ever. With strong squads from St Catherine's and Pembroke at Cambridge and Stockton from Durham it was set to be a fantastic tournament.

Throughout the day Men's, Women's and Mixed games played out at Three Rock Rovers with some tough games and some not so tough games (University College Oxford brought fantastic banter and a laid back style).

Wednesday came and went with teams battling it out to try and take the most points (league system for hockey). In the Women's hockey St Catherine's were looking like the likely winners not conceding a goal in the first 2 days. In the Men's it looked like a two horse race with St Catherine's and Hild and Bede putting on strong displays.

In the end St Catherine's took the Mixed and Women's competitions and Hild and Bede took the Men's after the game of the tournament against the Supermen of St Catherine's.

Eight eager rugby teams descended upon De La Salle Parmerston Rugby Club to begin their quest to leave Dublin on Friday with a trophy.

Whilst Queens College were kitted up and straight out warming up, others appeared to be nursing hangovers in the bar. John Snow were psyching themselves up to retain the Cup and Sidney Sussex transformed themselves into the Smurfs. Serious contenders obviously.

Meanwhile, the first class referees, Simon and Pat were warming up (well, you have to at that age). Did Pat mention his injuries? I'm a celebrity...

A rest day in the middle of the rugby tournament tends to be a mixed blessing. There aren't many rugby teams who have taken the opportunity to see the Book of Kells or wander around Trinity.

The teams arrived on the Thursday looking somewhat weary after all that hiking in the Wicklow mountains (yes there are things you can do apart from drink). Many went straight from coach to clubhouse floor in less than 2 moves in an effort to sleep off the worst of their hangover.

Still, the superb Jerry of Palmerston rugby club knocked up the food and coffee to produce a chameleon transformation in (some of) the players.

After some fantastic rugby, the Plate final was between Van Mildert and Sidney Sussex, with Van Mildert walking away with the title.

The Cup final was also a belter, in which Queens College took on John Snow, the title being taken by Queens College.

We were all present at 6am to shepherd wayward sheep onto the coaches. Enough said.

See you next year and thank you.

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Team Doxbridge