Postmaster & The Merton Record 2016

101 Pages·2016·10.31 MB·English

Postmaster &
The Merton
Record
2016
Contents
College News Features Records
Merton College
From the Warden ..................................................................................4 View from the Top .............................................................................58 The Warden & Fellows 2015-16 ......................................................86
Oxford Postmaster talks to High Court Judge, Dame Philippa Whipple
OX1 4JD JCR News .................................................................................................6 (1984) about the Bar, succeeding in law and Magna Carta Elections, Honours & Appointments .............................................89
Telephone [phone] MCR News ...............................................................................................8 Mertonians in… Diplomacy and International Relations ............62 New Students 2015 ..............................................................................91
www.merton.ox.ac.uk Reflections from Merton alumni about their careers in diplomacy
Merton Sport ........................................................................................10 and international relations Undergraduate Leavers 2016 .............................................................93
Hockey, Netball, Rowing, Cricket, Tennis, Football, Rugby, Karting,
Edited by Blues & Haigh Awards Undergraduate Results, Awards & Prizes .......................................94
Catherine Farfan, Christine Taylor, Helen Merton Cities: Cape Town .................................................................70
Vinesh Rajpaul (2013) on his home city and its best-kept secrets
Kingsley, Bethany Pedder and Philippa Logan. Clubs & Societies ...............................................................................20 Graduate Leavers 2015-16 .................................................................98
Biology Society, The Bodley Club, The Halsbury Society, History
Front cover image Society, Poetry Society, Modern Languages Society, Music Society, ARellc Senotu glsr .a..d..u..a..t.e.. ..T..h..e..o..p..h...i.lu...s. ..K..w..e..k.. ..(.2..0..1.3..).. .m...u...s.e..s.. .o...n.. .a.. .s..e..r..v..ic..e.. .i.n... ....72 Graduate Results, Awards & Prizes ................................................99
Walter de Merton watches over the College's Roger Bacon Society Merton Chapel in this poem taken from his recently published
College Staff ......................................................................................100
main gate. Photograph by Colin Dunn collection Giving Ground
(Scriptura Ltc) Interdisciplinary Groups ...................................................................28 Publications ........................................................................................102
Biomedical & Life Sciences, History of the Book, Occam Lectures
Astrophysics: A Very Short Introduction .......................................74
Professor James Binney, Merton Professorial Fellow in Physics, Mertonians
APadgdeit 1i0o:n Bael ritmiea Bgeeosr - Roberts (2014) DTheep aCrhtampeenl, tTsh .e.. ..A..r.c..h..i.v..e..s..,. .T..h..e.. .L..i.b..r..a..r.y..,. .T..h...e.. .C..h...o..i.r.,. .T..h..e.. ..G..a..r..d..e..n..s..,. ....32 wonders how on earth to write a ‘very short introduction’ to the
Page 15: Ted Court Academic Office, Schools Liaison & Access, Development universe and everything in it The Merton Society ..........................................................................108
Page 17: Scott D Harrow
MC3........................................................................................................110
Our Year of Living Airbnb ..................................................................76
Page 20: Scott MacLeod Liddle Hail to New Fellows ............................................................................52 David Roberts (1998) and his wife Elaine embark on an experiment
Page 22: Fabio Dola Penna in New York Alumni groups and events ...............................................................112
Merton Lawyers’ Association, Merton in Manhattan, Merton in the
Page 28: CDC Global
City, 1965 Reunion, Merton Golf Society, 2016 Oxford Town and Gown
Pages 32, 72: Colin Dunn (Scriptura Ltd) Lost, Little Known and Unbuilt Merton (13) .................................80
Alan Bott (1953) takes a look at Warden Vaughan’s 19th-century
Pages 34, 46, 50, 56, 106, 198-9: John Cairns
refurbishment in Front Quad News of Old Members .......................................................................118
(www.johncairns.co.uk)
Page 42: Tom Herring In Memoriam.......................................................................................165
Book Reviews ......................................................................................82 Emeritus Fellows: Professor H John Jones; Former Fellows: Professor
Pages 44, 45: Krzystif Jaros James Campbell, FBA; Honorary Fellows: Sir Peter Moores CBE, DL
Page 62: United Nations Photo
Page 68: Falcon Photography Forthcoming Events ..........................................................................198
Page 73: Molly Delaney
Page 76: Tomás Fano
Page 79: Ian Cochrane
You can download a digital copy of Postmaster
online at http://www.merton.ox.ac.uk/alumni-
and-friends/publications
that today’s students continue to show poetic talent, like welcome to his successor Sir Howard Stringer (1961), who N
many of yesterday’s Mertonians. Molly Clarke (BA English has already been involved in so many aspects of College life. DE
Language and Literature, 2014) won the 2016 Newdigate We look forward to his three years at the helm and hope AR
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Prize, and Theophilus Kwek (BA History and Politics, 2013) that he will proudly list ‘President of the Merton Society’

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published his third volume of poetry this year (see page alongside his leadership roles as one-time chairman, H
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73 to read one of his poems). I was also delighted to be president and CEO of Sony, as well as non-executive director
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presented with a blade to display in College by the Boat Club of the BBC, among many others. O
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at the Sports Recognition Dinner in June: the first time I have F
The College is also saying goodbye to and welcoming new |
had this pleasure since I started as Warden. S
College Officers. Douglas Bamber retired at the end of W
As evidenced by several announcements over the past March after eight years as Domestic Bursar, and the College NE
year, the whole Merton College community continues to welcomed Tim Lightfoot in his stead, coming to us from a E
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uphold its commitment to equality. In March, we hosted similar role at Worcester College. I am delighted to report E
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the third annual Merton Equality Conversation, opened that Tim has settled into College life at Merton remarkably OL
by LGBTQ activist Peter Tatchell. The Conversation is now, quickly. What may come as news to some of you, however, C
thanks to the hard work of the Academic Office and all is that similar changes are happening in the Development
those in College who help to organise it, a fixture in the Office, a part of the College that many Mertonians know
FROM THE WAR DEN
College calendar. To date, it has also touched on topics in well. Helen Kingsley will be retiring at the end of January
gender and racial equality, and I look forward to the areas from her role as Alumni Relations Manager. Helen is well
The academic year 2015-16 has been characterised by too legion to list. To name a few, Professor Peter Holland known to and valued by all Mertonians, and has been
it will go on to explore in the coming years. Also in March,
forward-planning. The Governing Body picked up with (Linacre Professor of Zoology) was awarded the Zoological responsible for excellent alumni events over the years. She
the College revealed its intention to launch a Girls’ Choir
the strategic work started prior to the College’s 750th Society of London’s most prestigious award – the Frink will be closely followed by Christine Taylor, who will also
(made possible by the generosity of David Harvey [1957])
celebrations, and the fruits of this strategic planning were Medal – for his work on the impact of gene duplication retire early in the New Year. Christine joined us as Fellow
to open up the wonderful musical tradition of the Oxford
brought before a group of major donors over a weekend in and its implications for vertebrate evolution; and Professor colleges to schoolgirls from the local area – (see page 33 and Development Director in 2006, and alumni relations
Ditchley Park in January for their added insight. It is clear that Artur Ekert (Professorial Fellow in Quantum Physics and for more information). In June, we were proud to announce and development have flourished in her hands. She will be
provision for graduate students is now central to Merton’s Cryptography) was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. that we have been accredited as a Living Wage Employer. especially remembered for all her successful work for the
evolving strategy. As the previous Vice-Chancellor of the In March Sir Andrew Wiles was awarded the Abel Prize – Merton’s commitment to guaranteeing a living wage for all 750th Anniversary, playing a pivotal role in the celebrations.
University of Oxford, Professor Andrew Hamilton, pointed the mathematical equivalent of the Nobel Prize. In addition its employees – permanent, temporary and casual – is a But her greatest achievement, in my view, will be her tireless
out, graduates are ‘the engine-room of research’. Graduates to hearing of their awards and accolades, each year I feel reflection of how much we value the important work done work, raising £30 million for our 750th Sustaining Excellence
are indeed crucial to the working of the College, providing privileged to learn about the fascinating research undertaken by our staff in supporting the College community. Campaign. We are currently recruiting her successor.
the crucial link between the undergraduates and the by Merton Fellows and students: from publishing volumes
As ever, I must end this report on a note of sadness, as we
Fellowship. The biggest barrier to graduate study is its cost, on patronage inliterature (Professor Richard McCabe, Tutor As for Merton’s wider community, I continue to enjoy
have lost three Fellows and former Fellows in the past year.
so the College’s goal is to provide needs-blind admission for in English and Professor of English Language and Literature), meeting faces old and new at the numerous alumni events
Many Mertonians will remember Professor John Jones as a
our graduate students within the next 15 years. Linked to to continued ground-breaking research on gene therapy for held in Oxford, London and further afield. I am especially Fellow in Law, then Oxford Professor of Poetry and Tutor
this will be the provision of a new Graduate Centre, together blindness (Professor Robert MacLaren, Bodley Fellow and looking forward to my January 2017 trip to South-East Asia in English at Merton. We were sad to learn that he died
and getting to know our Merton diaspora in the region. The
with a Café/Hub that all members of the College community Stipendiary Lecturer in Human Anatomy). in February this year, aged 91. Many have been in touch
Merton Society and, in the Americas, MC3 do a sterling job
can ‘call their own’. These are ambitious aims, which will to report fondly of his unique and entertaining teaching
Merton’s Fellows are not alone in achieving remarkable of bringing together alumni throughout the year – their
become more important as the funding climate continues style. This news was closely followed by the death of Wyliot
things: Merton students have excelled in this year’s Schools hard work bearing fruit in such enjoyable occasions as the
to change and competition for the best students, from all Fellow and generous benefactor Sir Peter Moores (1952) in
results, and also in all the diverse extracurricular areas London Dinner and Lecture and the annual MC3 Weekend.
backgrounds, becomes more and more intense. March. And we learnt recently of the death of Professor
in which they dip their toes. Whether with sporting or A special thank you goes to the Rt Hon Sir Brian Leveson
James Campbell – renowned historian and former JRF at
Whilst planning for the future has been vital this last year, with artistic achievements, the students’ dynamism and (1967), who this year stepped down as President of the
Merton. They will all be sadly missed.
the College has continued to excel in the present. The enthusiasm consistently shine through in the reports Merton Society following an arduous ‘double-sentence’
achievements of the Fellowship since October 2015 are we receive throughout the year. In particular, it seems over the College’s 750th Anniversary celebrations. A warm
Sir Martin Taylor FRS
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Merton matriculands 2015. This photograph has been reproduced by kind permission of Gilman & Soame and can be ordered by visiting
JCR NEWS www.gsimagebank.co.uk/merton and using the token id: merton2016
The academic year of 2015-16 has been a successful and – the men’s rugby team are our visionaries in this respect, the Norrington Table of 2015. Fortunately there has been On the latter issue, the JCR expressed the opinion that a
enjoyable one for the JCR, as Merton’s varied offerings now proudly (and officially) the worst side in the University. no draconian reaction from the SCR, and the changes that referendum should be held about Oxford’s membership of
of entertainment and engagement between studies has have been implemented have focused on improving welfare the NUS; this referendum did come about, and Oxford voted
Merton’s societies have continued to go from strength to
continued to be embraced by its undergraduates. This support for finalists and giving increased information about to remain a member. Another noteworthy development this
strength, thanks to the hard work of all those involved in
achievement is all the more impressive given the black good revision practice. I am particularly thankful to the Senior year was the JCR’s decision to support the Oxford Student
their organisation. The Merton College Music Society has
cloud that hung over both the JCR and College Officers Tutor, Rachel Buxton, and the Academic Office for their work Refugee Campaign, which is seeking to raise funds to create
maintained last year’s practice of putting on weekly or
as Michaelmas came around: after years of building up a in this area, and to the SCR for taking a constructive and scholarships for refugee students. Merton JCR remains a
fortnightly recitals in the TS Eliot Theatre, and the Fidelio
sense of prestige, this year was the first within institutional forward-thinking approach in light of last year’s results. common room unburdened by any ‘political’ characteristics,
Orchestra and Kodaly Choir have performed termly. The
memory that we could no longer brand all things ‘Merton’ but we have laid stress on the principles of inclusion and
indiscriminately with the 750th logo. Speeches remained Bodley Club and Neave Society have held a host of events, Aside from work and play at Merton, politics has also equality, and I hope we will unfailingly continue to do so.
and together ensure that Mertonians have several avenues made its presence felt. The events and headlines of 2016
unwritten, page footers unfilled and dreams undreamt, such
outside their studies for intellectual edification. Coordination It has been a busy but enjoyable year, and all those who have
already look like they will linger long in the memory, and the
was the ending of the era.
of our cultural endeavours should become easier now we served on the JCR Committee deserve immense gratitude for
student world has not remained mute amid all the clamour.
have a JCR Arts Rep. Peter Thickett, the first in the role, has the work they have put in to deliver all that has taken place.
But the ending of one era ushers in another, and 2016 was In January, the movement Rhodes Must Fall in Oxford
already made a significant impact: this year’s Arts Week I wish next year’s president Natalie Nguyen (2015) the best
the year where glimmers of sporting talent re-emerged started making waves in the national press, prompting often
schedule was superb, the Merton Floats looks set for glorious of luck for the task ahead, and I am more than confident
within Merton. There were a few stand-out achievements: M1 severe reactions with its call for the removal of a statue
resurrection next year, and a Merton Fine Art Society is in that she will do a stellar job. It only remains to wish our
won blades in Summer VIIIs; M2 did the same in Torpids; the of Cecil Rhodes from Oriel. In May, the dominant story
the pipeline too. The timing could hardly be more fortuitous, leavers a fond farewell: all the best, and see you soon!
squash team was victorious in Cuppers (despite the hubris was the election of Malia Bouattia as the new president
as the SCR has kindly opened up the Savile Room for student
of playing some of the games in the final before conclusively of the National Union of Students, a candidate who had
exhibitions, and late this Trinity Term, third-year Stephanie William Tilston (2013)
getting through the semi-final stage); the women’s netball been accused of making anti-Semitic remarks. Both these JCR President 2015-16
Sy-Quia (2013) led the way, displaying her photography.
team was unbeaten in the league; and the cricketers were issues saw motions brought to the JCR’s General Meeting
only one run away from booking a place in the Cuppers Amidst this extracurricular activity, work has to be done as in order for us to take a stance. Regarding the former, the
semi-final, losing to a six on the last ball. However, we have well, and there were fears in the undergraduate body at the JCR did not take a position on the statue itself, but approved
not entirely lost our true identity, and the art of defeat beginning of the year about possible measures that might of RMF’s general urge for us all to consider the treatment
continues to have a fervent school within Merton’s bounds be brought about following Merton’s fall from grace in of minority groups in Oxford and how it can be improved.
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MCR NEWS Members of the MCR at the annual Summer Garden Party. Photograph: Bertie Beor-Roberts (2014)
One of the things last year’s MCR President Alexander Karlberg Beyond the sustenance of sugary and caffeinated substances, fascinating talk on ‘Intelligence and attrition: The Battle of Merton, although we must be careful not to draw the MCR off
(2012) told me when I entered office was that the coffee machine there have been rather more lavish social engagements in the Somme 100 years on’, taking a new perspective on the to a distant seclusion, nor to lose that particularly Mertonian
rules the roost. Her flashing messages and alarming whirrings the MCR term cards. Alexander’s reformed black tie dinners role of statistics and evidence (or lack thereof) in the battle. balance of undergraduate and postgraduate interaction. I rest
issue imperious commands to any foolhardy committee now form the highlight of the term for a large swathe of our Richard Mathers (2011), the MCR Treasurer, introduced us assured that we will remain at the heart of the College, as a
member who dares not supply her with regular sacrifices members, with the variety and quantity of cheese at dessert (briefly) to ‘Abstract algebra’, and questions abounded to unifying glue, and we look forward to future collaboration on
of beans, water filters and cleaning capsules. Yet, properly increasing at an exponential rate. In Trinity Term, we played such an extent that an extra blackboard had to be fetched other projects that will continue to update Merton’s provision
propitiated, she is a merciful goddess, gracefully bestowing her host to Peterhouse, Cambridge, and they to us in return. Slicing to fit everything on. The final talk of the term was by while maintaining the unique spirit and community that
benefices far and wide, to the prosperity of the MCR and its their way through the tangled mess of roads that hold apart James Kempton (2011) presenting ‘A novel methodology for have been carefully nurtured in past years. The MCR is also
members (as long as you don’t press the cappuccino button). Oxford and Cambridge, Social Secretaries Natalie Barber (2015; analysing flight dynamics’. As an undergraduate member of delighted that fundraising for additional graduate scholarships
Brasenose 2011), Joe Liotta (2015) and Sam Gormley (2014; St the MCR, James’s talk showcased collaboration between all is high on the list of Development targets for the next years,
Yet some committee officers chose to rebel. They led the
Hugh’s 2010) proved that for Mertonians and Petreans alike, and we are grateful to those generous donors who have this
the common rooms, as this project had been greatly aided
MCR astray, fleeing the temenos of the coffee machine and
nothing gets in the way of a really good dinner. year given or pledged additional support in this area.
by work with Professor Tim Guilford (Tutor in Zoology).
even crossing that sacred pomerium, the Oxford ring road.
Arts and Culture Representatives have been particularly If such glitzy evenings were not enough, in the mornings I, and the entire Common Room, are grateful to all those
It is in that medial position that the MCR has much to
impious in this regard, encouraged by Elizabeth Sandis afterward the Welfare Officers are ever-present with sponge in the College – Fellows, students and staff – who work so
contribute to College life. We have particularly enjoyed
(2011; Worcester 2002) with her expedition to the Brightwell and towel (or at least smoked salmon and prosciutto) to tirelessly for the benefit of all, and particularly to the two
working with the College to develop plans for the new
Vineyard and her ‘Austrian Night’ in Michaelmas Term. A wipe away the cares of the week. Ivo Gruev (2015; Balliol MCR committees who have this year supported the life of
Graduate Centre. This will provide a focus for graduates, and
trip to the ballet at Covent Garden was the cultural acme 2014; Hertford 2010) and Dylan Dahan (2015) have stretched postgraduate students in immeasurably great ways. Whether
a building particularly catering to our needs, right next to the
of Hilary Term. Hadleigh Frost (2015), Arts and Culture themselves tirelessly to satisfy the craving for yoga that is they are called upon to chop an endless supply of fruit for
bulk of our accommodation. This is a developing project, but
Representative in Trinity, has injected new energy into the sweeping through Merton. the Summer Garden Party, to sit on College committees and
one that demonstrates the positive steps that result from
weekly arts round-up email, and his unique eye for rather wade through innumerable papers, or to provide a listening
One particular success in Trinity Term was the new MCR close cooperation between College Officers and the Common
special events has enriched the term card no end. ear to those who need it, they have never been found failing.
Colloquium. In this series, established by the estimable Room. Through a working group, committee discussions and
In their capable hands, the MCR rests easy for another year.
Lest it be said that the provision of coffee is the sole Vice-President Louis Halewood (2015), graduates have debates in general meetings, the views of graduate students
obsession of the MCR, pray let me disabuse you of that delivered short papers on their research in a relaxed after- continue to be expressed in the building as it takes shape.
Timothy Foot (2011)
notion. You should see how many biscuits we buy too. dinner atmosphere. Louis started the series himself, with a This marks a new stage in investment in postgraduate life at MCR President 2016-17
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Hockey Netball
Merton-Mansfield Hockey Club had a mixed season, to say The past year has been one of huge improvement for the
the least. The first term went by without us winning (or Merton netball team. We began our season in Michaelmas
even drawing) a single match. However, morale remained with several first-time players and little more than some
high: everyone seemed to enjoy the Sunday mornings spent rusty school technique.
playing matches against other colleges and the Wednesday
Admittedly, the winter term was hard. We took many tumbles
afternoons spent training to try and reduce our losing
on wet concrete, had to play several games a man down and
margins. I’m not sure how successful this was, however, as
suffered some large losses. However, this only made us better,
we were demoted at the end of the term.
and after our first few league matches we began to find our
The start of Hilary Term brought a slight change of fortune. flow and win matches. Star players were quick to emerge,
Although we started the league slowly with a loss to Christ including Jenny Dingwall (2015), our speedy centre; Nanae
Church in our first match in Division 2, we then remained Hart (2014), star shooter; and Megan Husain (2015), who plays
unbeaten throughout the rest of the term, drawing many every midfield position with grace and precision. Persevering
but winning a few of our games. We also had a small through Michaelmas paid off and we were stronger for it,
Cuppers run, making it to the quarter-finals where we winning all of our matches in Hilary. Unfortunately we had to
bowed out to New College. forfeit one game and so missed out on promotion.
Unfortunately we failed to progress beyond the first round Our biggest triumph was undoubtedly in Cuppers. We
in the Mixed Cuppers competition in Trinity, but it was great managed to beat one Division 2 team, draw with another
to play one last time with the team. All in all, a great few and narrowly miss moving to the quarter-finals by losing to
terms, and it was a pleasure to be involved! Worcester, who had come second in the Division 1 league.
Being one of the only Division 5 teams that had entered we
)
Edmund Wrigley (2014 couldn’t have imagined doing so well, and we are hoping to
Merton-Mansfield Hockey Captain 2015-16
push forward into higher divisions next term.

Anna Schnupp (2014)
Netball Captain 2015-16
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The 2015-16 season has been a remarkably successful one men’s squad went into Trinity Term with high hopes. Our
for the men’s side of the Boat Club. The year began with a Summer Eights campaign began with the bumps races run
healthy intake of new rowers, meaning that we were able to by City of Oxford Rowing Club, in which a Merton coxed four
enter two novice eights into Christ Church Regatta at the bumped in three of its four races. This was followed by five
end of Michaelmas Term. Meanwhile, the senior Development weeks of intensive training. In the end, we entered three
Squad competed in a number of races – the first two rounds boats into Summer Eights – M1 and M2 were joined by M3,
W1 prepare to race at Summer Eights.
of the Isis Winter League (IWL), Autumn Fours and Nephthys which comprised both men and women. M3 qualified through Photograph: Bertie Beor-Roberts (2014)
Regatta – and achieved a good set of results (including posting rowing-on, which in itself was an impressive feat given that Women’s Rowing
the fastest time of IWL A). Off the water, ten rowers from the competition included all-male crews; and though the crew
both sides of the club joined forces to set a new world record, This exciting year for women’s rowing at Merton has been row in a mixed boat with the men. To quote our previous
was bumped on each of the four days of racing, the rowers
powering an indoor rowing machine for seven days on end. marked by hard work on the water, enabling critical steps captain, ‘We got spoons with style!’ Although surrounded by
had an enjoyable and valuable taste of bumps racing. M2
forward in our development as a team. tough crews, the girls persisted throughout all of the races.
looked set to replicate their blade-winning Torpids effort until
During Hilary Term, our training was disrupted somewhat
I have been very encouraged by the progress of women’s
by river closures. Nonetheless, we competed in the final a row-over on the third day of racing; their net movement of The women had an optimistic start in Michaelmas Term.
training and how well everyone has improved over the year.
IWL race, finishing third in the men’s overall rankings. We +3 was nevertheless an impressive achievement. M1 had better Our freshers’ boat won their first and second races in
Of course, none of this would have been possible without
entered two boats into Torpids. The First Torpid finished luck, bumping on each of the four days to secure the club’s Christ Church Regatta, beating their competitors by lengths.
the constant support and guidance of our coach, Ian Smith.
+1, following a bump, getting bumped, another bump and a second set of blades of the year – something to celebrate at Unfortunately, the Isis was flooded for much of Hilary Term,
row-over. The Second Torpid did even better, bumping twice the Summer Eights Dinner following the last day’s racing. It pushing us to do land training in the gym. Even then, the girls’ Next year’s squad will be led by Rebecca Hardy (2014) and
on the first day to re-enter fixed divisions and then bumping wasn’t quite the end of the season, though; four men and five sheer dedication and good humour led to a strong turnout in Sinead Duffy (2015), who both rowed in this year’s first boat in
once on each of the subsequent three days, earning them women from the club raced in a mixed eight at Oriel Regatta, Torpids with a particularly exciting row-over on the third day. Summer Eights. I am confident that they will sustain and build
their blades. This was the first time a Merton men’s crew had winning one round before being knocked out. Roll on 2016-17! upon much of the progress that has been achieved this year.
With the warm weather and the promise of Pimm’s, a
won blades at Torpids since 2011.
number of girls returned to row in Summer Eights, and we
Edward Thomas (2014) Kailan Sierra-Davidson (2012)
Spurred on by the successes of the past two terms, the Men’s Rowing Captain 2015-16 were able to enter a W1 crew, as well as have many novices Women’s Rowing Captain 2015-16
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The 2015-16 season has shown Merton tennis going from resounding 7-2 victory. Merton was then drawn against a very O
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strength to strength. With (mostly) fortnightly sessions solid St Catz side boasting several University players. However,
across the year (disrupted slightly by the weather), the boasting our own University players in Pat Prendiville (2015)
Men’s Cricket Merton Tennis Club proved popular amongst undergraduates and Ale Geraldini (2010), Merton emerged victorious in a tense
and postgraduates alike. 5-4 thriller. The quarter-final match against Queen’s was
This season was a successful one for the Merton-Mansfield The Cuppers Competition also saw the Ms acquit themselves
another close affair, sadly eventually ending 5-4 to Queen’s
cricket team. Blighted by poor weather the Ms remained with aplomb. Our league team was bolstered by the addition Competitive tennis began in Trinity Term, and the team
despite a dominating display from Ben Halbroth (2013).
resolutely positive and played the game in excellent spirit of University players Matt Naylor (2015), Immy Brown emphatically ensured their stay in the top division in the
with a smile despite whatever the opposition threw at us. (Mansfield 2014) and Richard O’Grady (2013), all of whom University leagues for next season with several strong I would like to thank all the members of the club for a
played important roles in the Ms’ performances. The Ms performances – the 12-0 drubbing of St John’s being a glorious year, and look forward to hearing about the club’s
The first match of the season was against the Old Boys’ XI reached the quarter-finals this season, beating Queen’s and particularly fine example. The first round of Cuppers drew a exploits next year under the new captain, Amy Steinepreis.
and despite a superb rearguard from Jack Kellam (Mansfield Pembroke along the way. The quarter-final match against home match for Merton against a plucky St Hilda’s side. In the
2015) (67 not out) and BZ Gilinsky (2015) (1 not out), the Brasenose will go down in folklore. Chasing 109 thanks to end, it was Mark van Loon (2011)’s graft, Amy Steinepreis (2015)’s Alex Ho (2013)
Ms fell victim to a 43-run loss. Our league campaign began a strong batting performance from Immy Brown, Brasenose consistency and Harry George (2014)’s chat that clinched a Tennis Captain 2015-16
in earnest shortly after with a convincing victory over needed a six to win off the last ball and much to the dismay
Queen’s, thanks to an impressive bowling performance from of the whole team succeeded with what was the only six of
Andy Stevens (2015) and Joe Manktelow (Mansfield, 2012) the match. Losing in this way was very difficult to stomach Women’s Cricket
in particular. The next two games were cancelled due to but having pushed a historically strong college so close was
inclement weather so it wasn’t until halfway through the something to be very proud of, especially given that nine The Merton-Mansfield women’s cricket team entered the University star Rachel Bowles (Mansfield 2007), who came
term that the Ms played their second league match against times out of ten we would have won in that situation. Again it women’s one-day 8-a-side Cuppers tournament this year back especially to play this fixture.
Exeter. Exeter batted first and thanks to a sloppy fielding was a story of what might have been but we will be back next for the first time since 2012. The side played two close-fought
The M and Ms are looking to build on our performance for next
performance were able to score far more runs than was year for Cuppers and hopefully go one or two stages further. matches against Wadham and Balliol, sadly losing both in
season. Winter gym sessions will commence in October led
ideal. As the conditions became more demanding, the Ms’ the last over, failing to progress further in the tournament.
I would like to pay tribute to James Lisle our groundsman by our strength and conditioning coach Alice King (Mansfield
batting lacked the firepower to chase down the total, falling
to a 57-run defeat in the end. Two more rain-affected games for his excellent wickets and match teas, and also to all The team welcomed a wide range of abilities from the 2014), before we head outside in March to fine-tune our
our players this season who gave up their valuable time to individual skills. The team hopes that hockey international and
followed before the final league match of the season against complete beginner to well accomplished University players.
represent the Ms. They were a credit to themselves and to gun batsman Georgie Whitaker (2015) will find the time to fit
Univ – a convincing five-wicket victory thanks to a sparkling Special mention must go to our overseas players Polly
their colleges and it was a pleasure to play alongside them. the hockey around her M and Ms career next year – it would
spell of bowling from Kallol Gupta (JRF, St Catherine’s) and Efstratiadi (Greece; Mansfield 2014), Mikayla Roller (USA;
Fingers crossed for next season! be such a shame for her to have to choose between the two.
slick fielding. The Ms finished the season in fourth place, Mansfield visiting student) and Valeriia Gladkova (Russia;
just seven points off the top spot, a campaign that will be 2015) who have travelled from all over the globe to play
Harry George (2014) Imogen Brown (Mansfield 2014)
remembered for what could have been. Merton-Mansfield Men’s Cricket Captain 2015-16 for the M and Ms this season. We must also mention our Merton-Mansfield Women’s Cricket Captain 2015-16
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2015-16 really was a glorious season for the M&Ms, shoulders, 23 broken collarbones and 19 broken arms (but
a venerable institution in Oxford’s rugby scene. After cor, you should have seen the other team!).
bouncing back from the treachery of Zac ‘Anyone want to
play league, lads?’ Keane (Mansfield 2014), the club soared to
Men’s Football
Special mentions
new heights of glory under the trusty reign of Connor ‘Fire
2015-16 was a breakthrough season for Hugo Brewer (2015), the
in the belly’ Brogan (2013). Whilst the M&Ms didn’t strictly
The Merton-Mansfield men’s football team consists of 25 headlined by Bill Beck (2015), Louis Blatherwick (Mansfield engine and gas of the team. Whilst Alex Corry (2013) outscored
‘win’ any league games, brutal and bloody clashes such as
players in the 1st team and 18 players in the second team. 2015), Ulysse Schnyder (Mansfield 2012), Mark Hattersley Brewer’s tally for the season in a single game, Hugo secretly
the Univ epic will live long in the minds and souls of those
We hold approximately 15 weekday 11-a-side games per year, (Mansfield 2013), Andy Stevens (Mansfield 2015) and Angus reckons he’s better. Moving Harry Clements (2015) into the
who witnessed them. The M&Ms did clinch numerous bonus
coupled with weekly 5-a-side evening football. We train Braithwaite (Mansfield 2014) along with our keeper Matthew front row paid dividends for the M&Ms, as he demolished the
on Saturday afternoons and also have several team social Raybould (2012), which saw us achieve one of the best points, retaining pride, if not position. Blues’ first team prop during an epic against Magdalen, much
events each term. defensive records in the whole of the JCR league with the Although the numbers of the team dwindled towards the to the away crowd’s dismay. After having conducted extensive
research into the life and habits of Jonny Wilkinson, Chris
We had a strong season in 2015-16 with a strong squad, second highest number of clean sheets. Most bookings award latter half of the season, I cannot fault the commitment
Baird (Mansfield 2014) determined he wasn’t up to the job and
and after imprinting a winning mentality into the team, the goes to Andreas Hadjinicolaou (2014), our very own under-21 and dedication of the loyal six players who turned up week
shifted to 9, an excellent example of tactical nous displayed by
1st XI won 10 out of our 12 league games, overall playing 14 Cypriot international, who was solid both defensively and in, week out and left their hearts on the pitch – they truly
this veteran team of professionals. Kiran Modi (Mansfield 2014)
games and winning 11 (club record of 79% win percentage), offensively before he pulled his hamstring (four times in four deserved the shirt on their chests (for once.) The M&Ms did
was a sad loss to the M&Ms, but simply couldn’t keep up the
achieving promotion to Division 1. This record also placed us games). Next year’s captain, Andy Stevens (Mansfield 2015), enjoy some success in reduced-numbers forms of the game
training regime of England U20s rugby as well as the M&Ms.
joint second across the whole of the JCR leagues in terms of has been a fantastic revelation for us this season, playing in (perhaps owing to being able to field at least half a team?),
most wins this season. almost every position when the team needed him most. winning against Brasenose in a 10s tournament and beating Overall it was a season of great chat and great rugby. I
Hertford in Cuppers 7s. think everyone will agree that Connor’s team talks provided
Particular highlights saw us find our very own Usain Bolt in It’s been a pleasure to captain the 1st XI this year, so thank you
the highlights of the season – such passion exemplifies that
Dillon ‘Pace’ Lancaster (Mansfield 2014) who later discovered to the team for the many fantastic memories. I would like to For the first time, the M&Ms reached out to the wider which is core to rugby, and that which we must work to
his diving abilities during our 5-1 win against St Peter’s 1st thank the groundsman, James Lisle, and the AMALGAS treasurer, community of Oxford, engaging in a hard fought battle with protect. With pre-season fast approaching, to quote Mr
XI following his dive in the penalty box that earned us a Simon Hooker, for their help and support this season. Brookes (also known as Brasenose), but were robbed of Brewer, ‘Once more into the breach…’
penalty. His penalty kick was less than impressive, however, this scintillating victory by an absence of a knock-on call
and could not have been any slower in going into the goal. in one of the final plays. The M&Ms made a strong bid for
Kasra Amini (2012) Matthew Lawson (2015)
We had two fantastic strikers up front, and a mean defence Merton-Mansfield Men’s Football Captain (1st XI) 2015-16 ‘most injuries in a season’, with no fewer than 47 dislocated Merton-Mansfield Rugby Captain 2016-17
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Karting is often seen as ‘that thing we do at parties’ extremely grateful. The A team was full of survivors from last L
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rather than a serious sport that takes both physical and year, consisting of Ravin, Laura, Adam and Chris Ruckteschler
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mental agility. However, thanks to some iron discipline (2012), whereas the B team had some fresh blood, with Jaime
from the captain, Ravin Jain (2012), all members of the Valdemoros Gomez (2013), Toby Adkins (2014) and David Felce
#MertonMavericks were keen to put the fiasco of last year’s (2013) joining Andrew Macarthur (2012).
inter-collegiate Cuppers race behind them, where one team
Following on from a wet qualifying session, which all drivers
member was subject to a humiliating disqualification and
another was involved in a race-ending accident. found tricky, the track started to dry out as the two-hour
endurance race progressed. Unfortunately, the cooler Blues and Half-Blues
Therefore, we organised a practice event at our local track temperatures did little to speed up the drying process, Alessandro Geraldini (2010) Tennis Charles Hardstaff (2013) Boxing
in Reading which was enthusiastically attended by new and with damp patches catching many drivers out as they Alexander Roberts (2014; St John’s 2010) Squash Isabelle Naylor (2013) Taekwondo
old members alike, allowing fresh recruits a taste of what ventured off-line to try to overtake others. Nevertheless, Natalie Barber (2015; Brasenose 2011) Tennis, Real Tennis Richard O’Grady (2013) Cricket, Football
may await them whilst giving hardened veterans the chance our experience prevailed and Merton A finished in a very Katriel Cohn-Gordon (2011) Fencing Tito Bastianello (2014) Golf
to hone their skills. This practice paid dividends in our first respectable 5th place, with the B team coming home in 9th James Walker (2014; Jesus 2011) Triathalon Nikita Chekshin (2014) Gliding
Andrew Brooker (2012) Shooting Tamara Davenne (2014) Cycling
competitive outing at the end of Michaelmas Term 2015 when in what was a much stronger field compared with last year –
Ravin Jain (2012) Motorsport Amelia Coen (2015) Eton Vs
Ravin, Adam Stanway and Laura Clark (both 2013) took part with no disqualifications or serious accidents!
Thomas Mattinson (2012) American Football Matthew Naylor (2015) Cricket, Football
in OUMDC’s annual Freshers’ Karting event. With some help
Onayomi Rosenior-Patten (2012) Women’s Football Julie Osgood (2015) Dancesport
from a racer from New College to make up the numbers, our These much improved results are testament to the hard
Alex Corry (2013) Rugby Patrick Prendiville (2015) Tennis
team managed to secure 2nd place in the two-hour endurance work put in by all members of the team. However, with
race, showing that practice actually does make a difference. Ravin graduating this year, the team looks forward to Laura
and Adam taking over the reins of the #MertonMavericks as Haigh Awards
Spurred on by this, we organised a second practice session
President and Captain, respectively. Under their leadership, Alessandro Geraldini (2010) Natalie Barber (2015; Brasenose 2011) Henrik Hannemann (2012; Keble 2011)
early in Hilary Term 2016 to help lay the foundations for the
the team is certain to continue on its upward trajectory and Ravin Jain (2012) Amanda Thomas (2012) Angus Thompson (2012)
main event of the year, the Cuppers race at the end of term.
more success is surely just around the corner. Connor Brogan (2013) Emily Cowan (2013) Hamish Forbes (2013)
As was the case last year, the competition was held at the Alexander Ho (2013) Daniel Kennedy (2013) Richard O’Grady (2013)
track at Whilton Mill. We again entered two teams, generously William Tilston (2013) Nick Tew (2013) Jaime Valdemoros Gomez (2013)
Ravin Jain (2012)
sponsored by the College’s AMALGAS fund for which we are Karting Captain 2015-16 Tito Bastianello (2014) Patrick Prendiville (2015)
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