URN

The Women’s Hockey team recorded a comfortable 4-1 win in a match against Trent that they dominated.

The game began quite nervously, with possession rapidly switching between the two sides, but Uni belied their superior technical ability by scoring two well-worked goals on the counter-attack courtesy of Katherine Baker and Celia Butler. Indeed, as the game went on the gulf in class between the two clubs became apparent – Uni compete in the BUCS league above Trent and their greater ability showed in their control of the tempo of the game and their increasing hold over possession. But after a third Uni goal scored by Alice Madden, their defenders seemed to lose some concentration. A rare Trent surge forward took advantage of this complacency and they bagged a consolation goal just before half-time.

The rescheduled fourth game in the Varsity series saw the 4-2 Nottingham Outlaws and the 3-3 Nottingham Trent Renegades square off, not just for a Varsity point, but also to keep alive both teams’ dreams of a playoff berth.

Ahead of the game, the Uni team appeared to be in good spirits, despite Varsity history being against them. URN was fortunate to be able to speak to Ben Davies, running back coach of the Outlaws, in the final moments before the match began. Davies sounded as confident as the Outlaws players themselves, and was looking forward to seeing his side getting at the Renegade team, with plenty of confidence in the Outlaw’s own defensive capabilities to keep the points off the board at the Uni end of the pitch.

Davies

The Outlaws started off well with a touchback from the kick off, making the Renegades start from their own 20. Trent quarterback Adam Grant was seemingly unfazed, leading his team into the red-zone with an impressive drive including a 40 yard pass play, and leaving the Renegades on the Outlaws’ 1 yard line. The Outlaws defended valiantly but eventually the dam was breached with American exchange student Danny Miller trundling over for the opening touchdown.

Although not with the total domination as seen in previous years, the University Swimming Team were able to cement their 100% Varsity record with a 313-182 points victory at the University Pool. Credit must go to Trent for their best haul yet, particularly to the Men who recorded Trent’s first three clear-cut race wins in the event’s history. However, the strength of the Uni team ultimately shone through to score a convincing victory at the end of proceedings, and put the series score at 2-1.

Uni Women’s dominance shone through from the offset, with wins in the Individual Medley and Backstroke events and Alice Morgan taking first place in the later 50m and 100m Butterfly races. Bethan Davis and Emma Oliver were other notable mentions, picking up Uni victories in the Backstroke, while Jasmin Ballingall took first in the opening 100m Individual Medley with a time of 1:13.

The Men were not quite as convincing in the early stages, with Trent taking the Individual Medley and Butterfly races, issuing a real statement to their adversaries. Asked if they thought complacency could have been a factor in Trent’s initial triumphs against the Uni Men, NuSwim President Naomi Reynolds and General Secretary Natalie Steele were quick to play such an idea down.

Nottingham Women’s Hockey 1sts have suffered mixed fortunes this season, but hard-won victories over Birmingham 5-4 and over Leeds Carnegie 4-3 prove they have got what it takes to deliver when it matters most. The team are using what has been a challenging season as motivation to push on and get a result in their marquee game against Trent this Friday 16th at Beeston Hockey Club.

Trent Women’s 1sts rest in mid-table in the league below that of Uni Women’s 1sts, who are in fourth place in the Premier North Division, so Uni go into the big game with the odds stacked in their favour. We will have to wait for the game itself to see who ultimately prevails, but there’s no doubting that the Uni Women are psyched for this game and will give everything to try and bag a winner. Their most recent fixture, against a touring team from America, has certainly instilled a winning mentality ahead of Friday’s encounter after a convincing victory.

URN was able to speak to players Katherine and Becky after a training session earlier this week, and got their thoughts ahead of the big day. After a “rollercoaster” season, they remain adamant that Uni go into the game in good form, and will be looking to improve on the 1-0 score line in last year’s fixture.

Nottingham Men’s Hockey 1sts have enjoyed a solid year, the highlight of which was a well-fought 2-3 victory over Loughborough as the curtain-raiser for the season, and have managed to secure fourth place in their division. But tensions will be running high at the Varsity showdown against Trent on Friday as a result of last week’s league game against them, in which a 5-2 victory for Uni consigned Trent to the ignominy of relegation.

The team will be hoping the result gives them the mental edge to push on and claim another win against Trent on Friday 16th, but they will have to contend with the absence of most of their international players, who are being called up to their respective squads. In spite of missing some key players, there is no doubt that the team are keen for the challenge of facing Trent once more, and are certainly looking to repeat a victory, the likes of which they achieved last year in an enthralling shootout win which was arguably the most dramatic moment of the Varsity series.

Ahead of Friday’s grudge match, URN chatted to Will Lobo and Richard Lawrence from the Uni team. Both men are eagerly awaiting the chance to get another victory over their Trent counterparts, and have been delighted with the impressive results they have achieved since the start of the season.