With Christmas break is well and truly over, students are now turning their attention back to university. A big part of this for many students includes returning to their sports teams. BUCS fixtures are slowly beginning to start up again. In the next few weeks, a full iternary of fixtures will return. In the first of a weekly series, Freshered takes a look at this week’s action, highlighting the five most impressive performances. Notable achievements this week include an extremely tight victory in a London Derby, as well as
Nottingham Women’s Football 3’s
Nottingham 31-0 Bedfordshire 1’s
Yes, you read that right. Describing this win as a thrashing for Nottingham simply does not do this result justice. This result would not look out of place in a BUCS rugby game, let alone in a football game. A routine victory for Nottingham would have been expected, given they sit first in the Women’s Midlands Tier 3, with Bedfordshire sitting bottom. But not to this extent. What makes the result even more impressive is the fact Nottingham scored almost 60% of their total goals for their seven games so far in this one match. Despite this improbable scoreline, Nottingham still share top spot in the league, with relegation looming for Bedfordshire. They are yet to pick up a point from their four games so far this season.
York Men’s Water Polo 1’s
York 30-3 Hull 1’s
A Yorkshire Derby in the Northern Tier 2B saw a dominant victory for the home side. It marks the continuation of a positive season for York, who boast an impressive record of three wins from four games. The result sees the victors close the gap to top spot to only two points, with an opportunity to claim top spot when first plays second in a few weeks time. It continues a season to forget for Hull, who sit on -2 points due to the concession of a walkover. The journey home for the away side would have felt a lot longer than 52 minutes, that’s for sure. Relegation seems inevitable, with the team from Humberside hoping they can put in some positive performances in their remaining games.
Queen Mary Women’s Netball 7’s
SOAS 1’s 20-21 Queen Mary’s
Tensions would have been riding higher than usual for this EY South Eastern Tier 9B match, given the two teams are situated less than a mile away from each other. A low scoring game was a scrappy affair, with the team from Queen Mary making this list for the close nature of their victory. The fact the game was a local derby did not affect the team, with their composure demonstrated by the smallest possible margin of victory. This win was definitely needed for Queen Mary, as it keeps them in the hunt for promotion, with the team sitting in third, three points off the top. For SOAS, relegation is a real threat, as they are yet to pick a point this season.
Cardiff Women’s Hockey 3’s
Cardiff 3’s 3-2 Cardiff 2’s
There are several reasons why the victory for Cardiff 3’s deserves to be included in BUCS performances of the week. Firstly, there would have been a tense build up to the fixture, given two teams from the same university are facing off, in the ultimate test to gain bragging rights. Friends off the field soon became rivals on it. This game also had important connotations for the Women’s Western Tier 1. Both teams were a loss, coupled with the teams below them winning, away from ending up at the foot at the table. With their narrow 3-2 victory, Cardiff 3’s claim both bragging rights, and a vital three points in their relegation battle.
Leeds Beckett Men’s Rugby Union 2’s
Durham 2’s 17-17 Leeds Beckett
On face value, this result does not seem anywhere near as spectacular as the others on the list. I would say that is a fair assessment, but there is a reason behind this draw in the Premier North 1 making this week’s top five. Before this game, Leeds Beckett were enduring a nightmare season. They had played 10 and lost 10, conceding an average of 45 points per game. On the other hand, Durham 2’s were enjoying a positive season, sitting fourth, winning half their games, with no threat of relegation. A victory for Durham seemed like a procession. However, Leeds Beckett had other ideas. A spirited performance saw the bottom team clinch a point, their first of the season. Although survival seems unlikely, Leeds Beckett will be hoping this result could prove the catalyst for a more fruitful end to the season.