Hockey is always a fantastic spectator sport, and the standard of play at Big BUCS Wednesday lived up to that reputation. With six action-packed matches, it was a true success for university sport, and a pleasure to watch.
The schedule was split into three sectiosn, with vase, trophy and championship matches throughout the day.
Vase
In the men’s vase final, Birmingham faced off against Edinburgh to see who would take home their first piece of silverware of the day. Hosting the Commonwealth Games in the summer, the Birmingham hockey team has enjoyed huge success across the board this season, but the Edinburgh outfit was not going to be rolled over easily.
A very tight affair the whole way through, Edinburgh just edged out Birmingham 1-0. Agonising for Birmingham, but a fantastic match for the neutral viewer.
In the women’s vase final, Nottingham Trent and Oxford locked horns in another fantastic affair. This was the first match fort both universities, meaning it was their first chance to bring silverware back to their respective universities.
A cagey affair from the opening flick, neither side could break the deadlock during normal play. With the game locked at 0-0, it had to be decided on penalty flicks. A nail-biting start to the day, but it was Nottingham Trent who held their nerve to take home the vase. A great start to the day, and some great BUCS hockey from both sides.
Trophy
In the women’s trophy final, Nottingham Trent looked to take home some silverware at the second time of asking. This time, however, it was against their bitter local rivals: Nottingham University. Perhaps the most bitter derby on the university scene, it promised to be a cracker of a game.
As with many passionate games, it was a low scoring affair. With only four goals in the match, it really could have gone either way. It was Nottingham Trent, however, who managed to come out on top with a 3-1 victory. The home side played very well against a strong NTU outfit, but they could not quite bring the score line back before the final whistle.
In the men’s, Hartpury and Leeds Beckett locked horns to see who would take home the Trophy for 2022. With some great hockey on show, it was a tight affair throughout. At the final whistle, it was Hartpury who just about held onto a 3-2 victory. It was the only opportunity for both sides to take home silverware for the day, making the BUCS victory even sweeter for the Gloucestershire hockey side.
Championship
The Trophy and Vase winners had been decided, and now it was time for the big one: the championship matches.
In the women’s clash, a very strong Loughborough side took on Northumbria. Struggling to really get any kind of foothold in the game, Northumbria struggled right from the start against such a skilled squad.
Finishing at 10-0, the score line was not necessarily reflective of the game’s balance, but it was unquestionable that Loughborough deserved to take home top spot. The BUCS championship belonging to Loughborough was a very fair result.
In the men’s the Loughborough side were looking to make it two championships for the BUCS powerhouse. Nottingham Trent were standing in their way, looking to emulate the success of their women’s hockey trophy squad.
In a far closer match than the women’s final, Loughborough managed to maintain their two goal advantage at the final whistle as the game finished 4-2. An apt finish to the day with incredible individual and team performances from both sides. With Loughborough making it two BUCS championships, they were undoubtedly the overall winners of the day.