Issue 1247 - The Courier

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42.sportBUCS Tuesday 6 March 2012 Th eCourier Polo opposites: mixed results in MEN’S WATER POLO By Tom Connolly at SPORTS CENTRAL ROUND ROBIN 1. SHEFFIELD 6pts 2. NEWCASTLE 3pts 3. NOTTINGHAM 2pts 4. ST ANDREWS 0pts Before the men’s Waterpolo team could turn their attentions to Stan Calvert, last weekend they had BUCS Semi-finals held as a round robin in Newcastle. After winning their group and securing promotion, they met in the semis with second placed St Andrews and from the other tier two Northern league group winners Sheffield and Nottingham who had finished second. With a spectacular recent run of form in which they had dispatched of tier one Leeds in a local league match 20-12, they entered the tournament confidently and eager to rectify last year’s mistakes as they crashed out against the odds at this stage of the competition. Friday evening saw the first of the three matches, in which they faced Nottingham, whom they had defeated in last season’s semi-finals. The Royals started nervously, as Notts quickly got off the mark, a sin bin for Michael Grantham then gave them an opportunity for a second and rapidly Newcastle were put on the back foot. Newcastle reacted in emphatic style, individual brilliance from Grantham who scored a hattrick gave the royals the lead going into the second quarter. The visitors fought back with two of their own to regain the lead and neither team could take advantage of a man up powerplay before Cypriot Alexis Georgiou levelled the scores seconds before halftime. With a big support behind the Royals and with them looking to put a message out to the other teams they knew they had to push on, none more than club veteran Luke Watkins who scored early on, spurred on by the knowledge that in his nine years at the club, he had never made the BUCS finals. A heated battle at the back earned captain Stuart Mac Manus a sin bin, however, solid defence meant the visitors could not convert. At the other end Grantham took the chance to add to his tally making the score 6-4. Nottingham once again hit back to level the scores but Newcastle soon pulled away again. From here on ultra fit Newcastle took advantage of the lagging Nottingham and a fourth quarter hattrick for Mac Manus and two for national league partner Georgiou took the Royals to a 13-8 victory. The other match of the evening between Sheffield and St Andrews was a very closely fought affair with the final score at 7-6 thanks to a last minute winner from the Sheffield skipper. As Newcastle had already beaten St Andrews comprehensively this season they knew Sheffield would be a crucial match and perhaps the tournament decider. So they entered the first match of the day tentatively. The first quarter started slowly however a sin bin for Terry Clarke gave the Yorkshire side chance to break the deadlock and take the lead. Plenty of attacks but unbeatable defence for both sides saw out the rest of the quarter out without any score however Clarke picked up another sin bin, as did Georgiou providing a sign of things to come. With confidence lacking through being goalless the Royals continued to concede as the Sheffield captain stole the ball during a Newcastle man up and swam the full length to make it 2-0 at the other end. Another man up for the home side connected with the woodwork and Sheffield made it 3-0 before halftime. A stern word from captain Mac Manus brought the Royals back into action however it took a captains goal to get them off the mark. This was followed up by reliable veteran Clarke who poached one for himself. Five seconds before the end of the penultimate quarter with Newcastle on the comeback a questionable decision saw Georgiou excluded for violent conduct in the form of an accidental high foot. With the Cypriot ruled out of the rest of the match and the home side a man down for four of the five minutes left in the game it was a huge ask for the Royals to get back into it. A courageous effort saw Newcastle come close but the equaliser but the goal proved to be illusive. A devastated side left the pool knowing they deserved more. Meanwhile there was another very tight match between Nottingham and St Andrews who scored at the death to win 7-6. Newcastle entered their last game against St Andrews knowing they had a point to prove. It was Georgiou who struck with a vengeance early in the first quarter to give the Royals a two goal start however this was equalled by the Scots to level the scores. Mac Manus who could see an early lead was vital bagged twice himself getting on the end of a pinpoint pass from Watkins, whose unrelenting assists have been vital to the side’s success this season. Knowing they must fight back the visitors scored two quick goals at the start of the second quarter to level the match once more at 4-4. Grantham scored from a long range effort and Mac Manus took advantage of a man up to regain the two goal lead. Clinical attack from the Scots brought them back level pegging but Mac Manus struck again to make it 7-6 at halftime. Unfotunately the next three goals went against the Royals and the team once again turned to Mac Manus to reduce the deficit leaving them one goal adrift with a quarter to play. The Scots were the first to strike in the fourth but ex-GB Grantham kicked up a gear and nicked another. A sin bin for Connolly gave the visitors chance to score again and Newcastle found themselves two goals down with only minutes to play. Georgiou, with a point to prove, pounced on an opportunity to score and in the dying seconds of the match it fell to future captain Grantham to seal the draw. Emphatic scenes at Sports Central and a superb display for University Waterpolo and the Royals felt they could have topped the group, howev- Women just miss out on finals in Leeds WOMEN’S WATER POLO By Lauren Wilson at LEEDS ROUND ROBIN 1. LEEDS 6pts 2. CARDIFF 4pts 3. NEWCASTLE 2pts 4. BIRMINGHAM 0pts After four long years, many exhausting hours in the pool and gruelling matches against stiff competition, the Newcastle Ladies Water Polo team finally returned to the BUCS Semifinals, putting in commendable performances against tough opposition. Although a win against Birmingham was sandwiched by defeats to Cardiff and hosts Leeds. This was a proud achievement for the Royals as only one team veteran, Lauri Simikiss, had seen the Semis before. The finals were held in Leeds on the weekend of 25 February, and the Royals were pumped and prepared for the forthcoming matches. They arrived in Leeds primed for their first game against Cardiff. Undeterred by a difficult first quarter against the aggressive side, the Royals bounced back in the second quarter. Impressive defending from Catherine Freeman and leaps of glory from goalkeeper Emily Fairbrother allowed the Cardiff side only one goal, while the Royals’ Nicola Powley, Katrina McDowell and Lauri Simikiss put three impressive goals in the back of Cardiff ’s nets. An inspiring speech at half time from Captain Fairbrother kept the team in high spirits allowing them to score from a textbook perfect set play, but Cardiff began to dominate and took a hold of the game with six goals of their own. The Royals held their heads high in the fourth quarter and allowed Cardiff only one more goal, but were unable to prevent an 11-5 defeat to the Welsh side. Preparations for the second day of the tournament were hampered by an injury to Lauren Wilson, but as the team prepared for their second match against Birmingham, inspiring speeches from coaches Stuart Mac Manus and Michael Grantham set the Royals up for a win. The team entered the pool in a positive mind-set despite their earlier defeat and gained the lead in the first quarter with a striking goal scored on a counter attack by Katrina MacDowell. The second quarter saw Birmingham step up to the challenge set by the Royals by pulling the score back to 2-2. However, determined not to be defeated, despite dubious decisions from the referees resulting in the red card of novice player Christina Sanchez, Newcastle bounced back scoring five goals in the third quarter and one in the fourth, securing an 8-4 win. Newcastle had a long wait before their final match against Leeds, but any friendliness formed between the two sides was lost as soon as costumes hit the water, with both teams clamouring for a win. Despite valiant efforts from centre-back Freeman and goalkeeper Fairbrother, Leeds took the lead in the first quarter with a
Th eCourier Tuesday 6 March 2012 BUCSsport.43 semis Bangor mashed by captain Michael Men’s Water Polo make a splash in the semifi nals Photography: Moises Bedrossian er, Newcastle were safe in the knowledge they had done enough for second place and finals. The last game of the day saw Sheffield crowned champions as they saw off Notts beating them 5-3. MVP of the tournament goes to ex- Northumbria captain Mark Gabrielle whose ruthless defence was key to the Royal’s performances and bodes well for the following week’s Stan Calvert. score of 4-1. The hosts maintained control of the pool throughout, but Newcastle’s former GB pit-woman Nicola Powley put three goals in at the other end. The Royals held their heads high in the face of inevitable defeat entering the fourth quarter and club president Catherine Freeman placed a breathtaking goal into the top corner of Leeds’ goals from ten metres to at least earn some pride. The game finished on a score of 10-4 to Leeds. The team displayed unity and enviable teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the weekend and despite being eliminated, they plan to carry on training and prepare for the next season of BUCS, where they plan to smash any opposition and continue the remarkable performances of this season. MEN’S LACROSSE Newcastle 1sts Bangor 1sts By Charlie Scott at REDHALL DRIVE 17 4 Bangor had to leave their campus in North Wales at 6.00am on Wednesday morning in order to make it to the intimidating Redhall Drive for a 2.00pm face-off, and those that did make the arduous journey will have no doubt been left wishing they had stayed at home, as Newcastle dominated their weary opponents throughout, running out eventual 17-4 winners. Newcastle captain Zanner Michael was the undoubted man of the match as he led by example from start to finish during his performance. The skipper mixed some fine defensive play with a clinical performance going forward that resulted in seven goals, including an acrobatic diving finish late on. After falling behind against the run of play to their less illustrious opponents, Newcastle seemed to take it up a notch or three, and it was not long before Harry Mead brought the score level with a fine individual effort. Cue the introduction of club captain Zanner Michael. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Michael was soon up to speed in what was a high intensity game and shortly after his arrival Newcastle took the lead through the imposing Duncan Oliphant, as Bangor failed to deal with the physicality of a side with their eyes firmly set on promotion. Bangor began to lose their discipline, losing two men to the sin bin at the same time, as Newcastle played some fantastic lacrosse towards the end of the second quarter. The home side took full advantage of their numerical superiority, with Michael scoring two in quick succession after exploiting the space left by Bangor’s sinners, to give his side a 4-1 lead. Bangor pulled one back through Matt Altridge before Newcastle strode to a four goal advantage at the break courtesy of a further goal from Oliphant, and a fine finish from Ian Reeds. The third quarter started in a similar vein to how the second had finished, with Newcastle crashing wave BASKETBALL FENCING RESULTS BADMINTON M1 v Nottingham 1sts 3 - 5 M2 v Hull 1nds 3 - 5 W1 v Sheffi eld 1sts M1 v Teesside 1sts 40-37 M1 v Durham 3rds 135-75 M2 v Leeds 1sts 109-129 W1 v Bradford 1sts NCL W/O after wave of attacks onto a battered Bangor backline. Ben ‘Birthday Boy’ Beattie added a smart brace early in the quarter before Michael then completed his hat-trick to make it 9-2. Not content with a meagre trio of goals, Michael soon added another, while Andy ‘El Presidente’ Oliver also got himself in on the demolition act to make it 11-2 to the dominant home side. Michael scored Newcastle’s twelfth goal of the afternoon after a wonderful flowing move down the left-hand side, before Bangor finally responded with a couple of goals in the space of as many minutes to take the score to 12-4. Newcastle’s Captain Marvel grabbed his sixth of the game after dispossessing a Bangor defender, driving at goal from the left-hand side, and firing an emphatic finish past the hapless Alex Wilkinson in the Bangor goal. Oliver then scored his second to make it 14-4, finishing off a straightforward move made all the more simple by Bangor’s physically and emotionally drained defenders. FOOTBALL M1 v UCLAN 1sts 2 - 4 M2 v Durham 2nds 0 - 5 M3 v York 2nds 8 - 2 W1 v Hull 1sts 7 - 1 W2 v Leeds Trinity 1sts 3 - 0 GOLF 1 v UCLAN 2nds 1 - 5 2 v Northumbria 3rds 5.5 - 0.5 HOCKEY M1 v Birmingham 2nds 3 - 2 M2 v M3 1 - 0 M4 v Teeside 5 - 2 W1 v Sheffi eld 1sts 0 - 3 W3 v York 1sts 1 - 5 W4 v Teesside 1 - 2 LACROSSE RUGBY SQUASH 9 Won M1 v Bangor 1sts 17 - 4 W1 v York 1sts 25 - 3 W2 v Sheffi eld 1sts 2 - 15 NETBALL W1 v Leeds Met 2nds 55-23 W4 v York 2nds 30-34 M2 v M3 26-26 M4 v Sheffi eld 2nd 14 - 49 W1 v Sheffi eld Hal 1sts 13 - 17 RUGBY LEAGUE M1 v Lincoln 1st 47 - 12 W2 v Sheffi eld 2nds 2 - 3 W3 v Bradford 1sts 4 - 0 The whole Newcastle team wanted in on the goalscoring spree, with Sam Cuntliffe finishing off a great move to add his name to the scoresheet, and Oliver completing his hat-trick in the dying minutes to give his side a 16-4 lead. There was still time for one last moment of Michael magic, however, with Newcastle’s skipper saving his best goal until last. After collecting the ball behind the opposition’s goal he sprinted round the other side of it before diving between two Bangor defenders and hammering an effort home in mid air, prompting serioussounding queries of ‘Is this man human?’ from the crowd. The game finished 17-4 as Newcastle ensured promotion in what outstanding CBO James Kolokontroni described as the ‘best performance of the season’. While Michael may dominate the headlines in the wake of this comprehensive showing, it was a fine team effort from Newcastle, with players in all positions contributing to the win. Since their 6-1 loss to Hull in October Newcastle have won seven games on the bounce following this resounding victory in their last BUCS game of the season. Their lengthy unbeaten run has guaranteed them a top two finish in the league, that means, regardless of results elsewhere, they will be playing in the Northern 1A division next year. Yet not all the team that performed so brilliantly today will still be part of the Men’s 1sts come September. Graduation, the most irritating of milestones, will force some of these warriors to lay down their sticks and immerse themselves in the world of work. For that reason, here is a special mention for those that finished their BUCS careers in style: Zanner Michael (capt.), Phil ‘The Pain’ Elwood, Toby Crow and Rupert Grimes, and also Duncan Oliphant who will be on a year abroad next season. Michael told me after the game that two years ago the team finished that season on zero points. They have come a long way since then. Things get physical as Newcastle dominate Bangor to improve promotion chances Photography: Hubert Lam TABLE TENNIS M1 v Lancaster 1sts 12 - 5 TENNIS M1 v Sheffi eld 2nds 4 - 8 M2 v York 2nds 8 - 4 W1 v Leeds Met 3rds 4 - 8 W2 v Leeds Met 4ths 12 - 0 LEAGUE TABLE 8 EDINBURGH 1598 9 NOTTINGHAM 1587 10 NEWCASTLE 1330 11 BRISTOL 1306 12 OXFORD 1299
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