Oxford University’s women warmed up for the forthcoming Varsity Match by claiming four titles at the British Universities and Colleges Sports Championships.

For the first time, five Oxford boxers reached finals, three of them matched against women from Cambridge.

The four Dark Blues champions were Justine Ryan, who won unanimously in the 54kg category, Lucy Harris (57kg), who stopped her opponent in the second round, plus Isra Hale (60kg) and Claudia Havranek (64kg), both of whom also gained unanimous verdicts.


In the 51kg final, Oxford captain Mariya Lazarova was edged out by Cambridge’s Sahrah Hogan, but she will be hoping to reverse the result in the Varsity Match at Oxford on Saturday, March 5.

Twelve months ago, the Light Blues triumphed at the 108th Varsity Match at Cambridge, handing Oxford their first defeat in five years.

Next week, the Dark Blues are determined to regain the Truelove Bowl in front of a home crowd at Oxford Town Hall.

“The medals were a reward for all the hard work of head coach Dave Mace,” said Hale.

Varsity Match tickets are available from: ouabc.com and from Elmer Cotton in the High Street, Doors open at 6pm, boxing from 7pm.