The draw for the CUAFL Cuppers competition has been released, outlining the path that 24 teams from many of the Cambridge University colleges will be hoping to take to reach the Cuppers Final at Grange Road at the end of Lent Term.

Taking place at Monday morning's captain's meeting, the draw – which saw the teams selected at random using no system of seeding – was conducted by the CUAFL Committee, which consists of three players from the first team of Cambridge University Association Football Club (CUAFC).

Like the fixture list for the CUAFL Premier League, which was released earlier this week, the draw has thrown up a number of exciting match-ups. College teams from the lower divisions will be hoping that they can claim a CUAFL Premier League scalp, repeating the ‘giantkilling’ efforts of Girton I last year: a goal from Harry Hicks saw the Girtonians grab a 1-0 victory over favourites St John's in the quarter-finals. 

Division 3 side Homerton I might fancy their chances, with an away trip to last season's Premier League strugglers Gonville & Caius I, throwing up a reasonable opportunity for a shock. And fans of Division 2 side Christs I – who won last year's Plate competition after a mammoth 14-13 penalty shootout win against Sidney Sussex I and gained promotion from Division 3 after finishing second – might also be optimistic about their team adding a shock victory over Queens' I to their trophy cabinet.

But Queens' are the current CUAFL Premier League champions, and their captain Ben Farrar, speaking to Varsity, has labelled Cuppers as his "priority". Indeed, his men will be looking to do far better than last year's performance, where they were knocked out by Selwyn I in the Round of 16 (thanks in part to the penalty shoot-out heroics of a certain Mr Keir Baker). 

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For the second year in a row, Peterhouse I have received a BYE and matched last year's record-breaking performance, where they reached the furthest stage of the tournament in their history. But it is highly unlikely that the Division Four side will make it any further, and the winner of the match between Selwyn I and St John's I will be eyeing up a place in the quarter-finals. 

And Robinson I will be looking to retain their crown from last season. On a chilly February evening at Grange Road, they triumphed 4-2 over Pembroke I in what was undoubtedly the greatest Cuppers comeback of all time. With the Valencians ahead 2-0 with 10 minutes left of normal time, Robinson I rallied and goals from Nathan Procter and Matteo Donega brought the sides level at 2-2 before, in extra-time, Omar Ajad and Procter added the winning strikes.

As news of the draw was released, Varsity spoke to their resident college football expert, Peter Rutzler, who – like the rest of the squad members Cambridge University Association Football Club (CUAFC) – is eligible to play for his college side Fitzwilliam I in the Cuppers competition. 

Rutzler, a ‘tricky winger’, said that it was hard to look past a Robinson I v Fitzwilliam I final. He noted that “judging from the number of CUAFC players in their squads, keeping Fitz and Robinson apart on either side of the draw is big news. Fitz should be stronger than last year and so will Robinson, and I'd be surprised if the two don't meet in the final.”

“However,” he added, “there remains the potential for upsets, particularly from likes of Jesus and Queens'.”

A Fitzwilliam I and Robinson I would make for an interesting rematch of last year's semi-final, where Robinson I – a Second Division side at the time – scraped past the 'Hill Side' via a 3-1 penalty shootout victory.

Indeed, the fixture would have a degree of bite to it, with Rutzler explaining that “Fitz are reeling from last year's semi-final exit to Robinson and are determined to get revenge and, after having won Cuppers nine times already, win ‘La Décima’. But while they're buoyed by retaining most of their players, they're also aware of the renewed threat that Robinson pose, especially as they're in the midst of what can be dubbed a ‘golden generation.’”

The opening round of the CUAFL Cuppers 2016/2017 tournament will take place on the weekend of the 29th and 30th October, subject to weather conditions.

The draws for the other CUAFL competitions (the Plate, the Vase and the Shield) are available online, as well as the fixture list and league table for the CUAFL Premier League and all other divisions.

Varsity is looking to expand its coverage of college sport this year. If you would like to either contribute or provide information for a match report, or some other news about your sport, please email sport@varsity.co.uk