URN

Varsity Rugby League

Tonight marks the second clash in this year’s Varsity series as the University of Nottingham take on Trent in rugby league. UoN go into the game with a 1-0 series lead so far, following the spectacular 4-3 win in the Ice Hockey at the Capital FM Arena only a week ago.

The UoN rugby league players go into the game knowing they have an uphill task, facing a Trent side that not only beat them 8-14 in this fixture last year but are also in the division above them in the BUCs league.

This is Varsity however, where anything can happen, and spurred on by a hopefully sell-out crowd at the Harvey Hadden stadium the Uni lads have a great chance of making the overall varsity score 2-0.

If you wish to attend the event there is a free Bus running to the arena from both the Portland building and the Savoy at 6pm.

If you can’t attend stay locked in to URN for all your varsity coverage.

This Friday will see one of the most tightly contested fixtures on the Varsity calendar, Rugby League, played out at Harvey Hadden Sports Centre. Last year saw Uni claim a narrow 22-18 victory, but this time round things will not be so easy, with the momentum all on Trent's side. Both teams have competed in the same BUCS division this year, the Midlands National, and with the regular season all played out Trent have been crowned division champions, winning 6 out of their 10 games, including both their home and away fixtures against Uni. The UoN boys meanwhile have slogged through a much more disappointing season, winning only 4 games and registering a disappointing -40 goal difference.

After the disappointment of Superbowl weekend when American Football Varsity was postponed, the mantle of the opening fixture of this year’s series fell to Rugby League. And it didn’t fail to excite.

With the Uni Seconds being convincingly beaten in the earlier game of the day, one could certainly forgive First Team Captain Olly Beech and the rest of his team for feeling the pressure. Trent came into the fixture as firm favourites after a more convincing season than Uni’s stop-start year, and it looked certain to be a day for the form book as Trent built a convincing lead in the first half.

Uni began the game with several mistakes, and Trent looked set to capitalise until a knock on over the line allowed the underdogs some respite. But fortune looked to have run out by the quarter-hour mark, with Trent scoring two tries in quick succession after a smart grubber and indiscipline on the part of Uni. Both times, however, they missed their kicks, putting the score at 8-0.

After the disappointment of having the traditional opening Varsity American Football encounter postponed until March, Rugby League has now taken the mantle of the first official, point-scoring tie of 2012. URN was able to speak to Tommy Lloyd, Olly Beech and Mike Butcher (President, First Team Captain and Secretary respectively) on the Thursday night Sport Show, to get their views on all things rugby league ahead of the match this weekend.

After the disappointment of losing last year’s fixture 14-24, and another loss earlier this season at Clifton, Lloyd, Beech and Butcher were all pumped up and motivated ahead of the upcoming game. All three players agreed that the Uni forwards look particularly strong going into the game, and despite a difficult BUCS season, Uni stand a strong chance of picking up the first official Varsity point of the series.

While the Uni personnel who spoke to URN appeared intensely focused on the challenge at hand, it could be said that their counterparts at Trent have taken a more controversial approach in the build up to tomorrow’s derby match; posting a video online which has ruffled a few feathers on University Park. While no video retort has been given, it is clear that the Uni team, led by Lloyd and Beech, are looking for vengeance.

Saturday 5th March saw the Nottingham Rugby League Varsity changing location to a very wet and cold Highfields. With a great turnout of supporters from both sides, not to mention the match’s prime location for a spot of SU elections campaigning, the atmosphere was enthusiastic despite the drizzle, and our 1st team emerged onto the pitch confident and determined following a 2nd team win for Uni.