After almost six weeks, the top tier of BUCS Basketball returned to university courts this week. Certainly, the games did not disappoint. With scores into the eighties frequently seen on the results page, the players were clearly relishing their comeback. Given we are now at the business end of the season, it was imperative that teams make every game count. With so much action to catch up on, Freshered has summarised the key results, and their impact, right here.
Men’s Premier South
There was only one fixture this week, but the lone game is arguably the pick of the season. First took on second, as East London made the trip down to Solent. Before the game, the teams had identical records, with six wins and two defeats each after eight games. Something had to give. In a tight game, it was the home side, Solent, who held their nerve, running out 81-70 winners. With just one game left in the season, it is now out of East London‘s hands if they want to finish on top.
Men’s Premier North
This week’s results in the northern half of the top tier of Men’s BUCS Basketball were key in finalising the final standings for the season. With all six teams in action, there is a lot to unpack. It was a case of top versus bottom in Worcester, with first placed Newcastle making the 480 mile round trip. With eight wins out of nine, the team from Tyneside knew a routine victory against the bottom team would see them finish top. Even Worcester‘s best performance of the season was not enough to stop Newcastle, even they did run them close, with the game finishing 81-76. The result confirmed first place for Newcastle, and see Worcester finish the season with ten losses from ten games. A relegation playoff against Nottingham awaits.
Durham‘s impressive campaign, which saw them finish second, was rounded off in style, with the team reaching three digits in their 100-49 victory over Manchester Met. This saw the latter finish in fourth place, with the former only three points off top spot. Loughborough‘s sixth victory of the season, 87-51 over fifth place Northumbria, confirmed their third place finish.
Women’s Premier North
It could not be tighter at the top if it tried to be in the northern half of Women’s BUCS Basketball. Three teams sit on 18 points. However, the title will can only end up in the hands of two of these teams, given Newcastle‘s inferior goal difference. As well as this, they’ve played one more game than their title rivals. They had the opportunity to put the pressure on Durham and Loughborough, but defeat to fourth placed Edinburgh, 101-74, ended their hopes. Loughborough are still very much in with a shout, following their 70-50 victory against Northumbria. Therefore, the title race comes down to the last round of fixtures.
Women’s Premier South
Victories for the top two teams ensured the title race is still very much on. A dominant victory for Essex in their rearranged fixture against Hertfordshire, where they reached triple digits for the third time this season, ensured they were in the driving seat for the title. Following their dominant 108-20 victory they sit on 21 points, the same amount as rival Cardiff Met, having played one less game. The Welsh team did manage to keep up the pressure, winning a high scoring affair against Bournemouth, who sit level on points with East London in bottom place. A 111-68 victory keeps them in the hunt.
Result of the Week
The accolade this week goes to a Men’s National Trophy first round fixture between UCL 1’s and Surrey 1’s, for it’s high scoring nature. It was Surrey who made their trip worthwhile, running out 93-81 victors. Definitely a busy day for the scoreboard operator.