Varsity 2012 Pullout

VARSITY2012

TRAMPOLINISTS WIN FIRST VARISTY IN 15 YEARS

PAGE 6 RUGBY UNION COMPLETE 4 WIN GRAND SLAM

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PLUS EVERY RESULT FROM EVERY FIXTURE AND EXCLUSIVE PICTURES

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FORGE PRESS Thursday March 29 2012

VARSITY

Final score: Uni 31 Hallam 32 Contents p.3

Cycling, frisbee and lacrosse

p.4 p.5 p.6

Rugby Union games

Hockey

Tennis, trampolining, squash and Pond’s Forge

p.7

Varsity at a glance

A great effort by Uni but they just fall short once again Anthony Hart

Boxing, badmington, korfball and rugby firsts

p.8-9 p.10-11

The bigger picture

Full results

Manic Monday: Athletics, netball, futsball, volleyball, aikido and basketball.

p.12

Cricket, judo and hockey

p.13

American football, climbing and rugby league

p.14 Football: Hillsborough p.15 Football p.16 The lighter side of

Varsity

Cover photo: Duncan Philpott

Credits EDITOR Matt Burgess WEB EDITOR Ben Williams SPORT EDITORS Jack Burnett Adam Hancock Anthony Hart PICTURE EDITOR Adam Harley PHOTOGRAPHERS Nurul Liyana Yeo Duncan Philpott Andrey Vasilyev Charlotte Miller Holly Wilkinson Adam Harley REPORTERS Jay Allen Fay Guest Hannah Frost Matthew Smith Patrick Joyce Alisha Rouse Coral Williamson David Parker Matheiu Warwood Craig Giles Melanie Sisson Nicholas Carding Will Aitkenhead Tom Wardak Charlotte Miller Holly Wilkinson Tom Geddes Ollie Turner Jay Allen Ruby Merrimen Gareth Burrell Jonathan Robinson Stuart Hill Arnold Bennet

Sports Officer Ben Baldwin watching a Varsity game intently, would he take Uni to the trophy for the first time in nine years?

Another year, another Varsity defeat.

That is what anyone from Hallam will tell you and what the main headline of Varsity 2012 will be, but there were plenty of great moments to remember.

First of all, Varsity showed sport at its brilliant best, a tense race to the finish as both camps took turns to notch up points, played in front of passionate and largely good-natured crowds, even if some of the chants can

get a little repetitive over the course of the week.

We may have lost overall, and it may be a whole nine years since the trophy was decorated with black and gold ribbons, but there were many great moments if you’re of a black and gold persuasion. From holding on for that 21-19 win at the Don Valley Stadium to seal a grand slam of victories for the rugby union teams, to the netball thirds’ amazing fourth quarter comeback, or the men’s water polo

victory; there are still moments we can look back on and think, ‘that was brilliant’.

It is just a shame that all the hard work the teams have put in over the year ultimately ended in disappointment at the final hurdle. It is also great to see such support for sports clubs at this time, who could really do with some backing week-in, weekout during their league campaigns.

Every week these teams

put their bodies on their line, yet there are barely more than a dozen people at any given fixture, and that’s probably including our reporters and photographers.

One gripe about Varsity though, is the scoring system. Certain points were allocated for certain events, which then appeared to be changed at very short notice. This isn’t anything to do with us, I just think if everything is out in the public domain

Photo: Duncan Philpott and everyone knows what is worth however many points, it will further enhance Varsity’s reputation as a fantastic week, not just for us, but for the city of Sheffield.

Over the next few pages we hope to tell the story of another Varsity tournament as well as share some lighter moments.

Hopefully, next year will be our year.

Enjoy the pullout.

Winter Varsity recap Jack Burnett Uni’s dominance on the slopes gave them a 4-1 lead from February heading into Varsity proper.

Though Hallam took the very first point, winning 3-1 in the ice hockey in front of a bumper crowd at the Motorpoint Arena, a whitewash at Sheffield Ski Village in the snowboarding and skiing put Uni back in control.

Having lost out in the ice hockey in each of the previous seven years, Uni did not hold high hopes of causing an upset against a strong Hallam side.

The game’s early stages did little to give Uni fans reason for optimism, and Hallam eventually broke

the deadlock at the end of the first period when Anton Egorov netted.

Their lead was doubled via Arthur Ames shortly into the second period, and Hallam managed to keep Uni at bay until a frantic final minute of the fixture. With 43 seconds left on the clock, Adam Szollosy reduced Hallam’s advantage to one, and then came close to equalising before Hallam made the game safe through Chris Bryniarski.

However, Uni exacted revenge in style on the slopes.

Hallam were comprehensively outperformed in the ski and snowboard slaloms as well as the two freestyle finals.

Uni’s ski team set an early black and gold lead for Varsity.

Photo: Duncan Philpott

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VARSITY

Loss for lacrosse Men’s lacrosse

Uni Hallam

5 23

Holly Wilkinson Uni’s men’s lacrosse team couldn’t break their losing streak, going down 23-5 to a strong Hallam side at Abbeydale.

Despite a strong start, with two fantastic goals apiece from George Bailey and Chris Leeming and one stunning goal from Dave Wooston, Hallam soon started to pull away.

When the opposing side managed to get a couple of goals in quick succession, Uni seemed to lose heart and heads went down.

Silly mistakes started to be made towards the end of the second and third quarters and the team never really managed to Lacrosse teams prepare for battle. Photo: Holly Wilkinson come back from then.

Uni continued to fight for the ball and, despite the sometimes ragged formation of the relatively new team, some brilliant defending denied Hallam further goals.

The team always knew it was going to be a challenging match, given their standing in the league table and Hallam’s strong performances this season; Uni failed to win a match this season, with Hallam in second place in the BUCS Northern Premier League.

Uni captain Johnny Goodfellow said: “We always knew this would be a hard one. We’ve lost a lot of players this year and have been really struggling to find our form.

“We did a pretty good job to start with. Unfortunately they ran away with it at the end. We had moments, but ultimately lost to a more experienced side.”

Leaping to victory Ultimate frisbee Uni Hallam

13 3

Anthony Hart The Phat ‘eds, the University of Sheffield’s Ultimate Frisbee team, got revenge from last year’s controversial defeat with a huge Varsity win at

Abbeydale.

Uni secured a huge win, and managed to cap things off at the end with some slick passing moves to close out the game.

The fixture rounds off a good few months for the club, they finished second in the Northern regionals, including a win over Manchester who had not lost a regional game for four years.

Uni’s frisbee team gain a resounding win. Photo: Liyana Yeo

Uni cyclists puncture Hallam’s hopes Cycling Uni Hallam

5 0

Alisha Rouse The cycling kicked off with the downhill a couple of weeks ago. Hallam had a strong team, and after the

first runs they were seven seconds ahead- Uni needed to decrease that deficit in the second runs, and did gallantly so, with Andrew Fowles knocking seven seconds off his previous time, to give Uni the win by 0.21 seconds. 1-0 Uni. Next was the cross country - an off route, four lap run and test of bike

Uni cyclists peddle to a dominating victory over Hallam.

handling skill and fitness.

Uni had a strong team, and Tom Stewart and Ross Phelps did Uni proud, and managed to tear apart Hallam with a 15 minute lead. 2-0 Uni. The first official day of Varsity came and so did a beautiful day for the road hill climb, with Uni delivering again. Strong

Photos: Duncan Philpott

performances again from Tom Stewart, Clem Berrill and Jamie Caldwell, along with wildcard Rob Ricketts, secured a Uni win. 3-0.

The final day of Varsity, and scores were tight, Uni needed to win both events.

The road time trial was a comprehensive win for Uni, with the Uni B team still managing to beat Hallam’s

A team. The A team tore 15 minutes into Hallam’s A. 4-0 Uni. In the final BMX event, the final race was four racers against each other for points, and was dominated by team captain Dave Camus, and wildboy fresher Will Leverton. 5-0 Uni, and a whitewash for cycling.

Captain David Camus was thrilled, telling Forge Press: “Cycling this year at Varsity have really pulled it out of the bag, with intensive team training, riding nearly every day, and generally having a really good set of club members. Just to say thanks to all my team this year, it’s been a cracker.”

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FORGE PRESS Thursday March 29 2012

VARSITY

Holroyd the heroine as Uni ladies triumph Women’s rugby union

Uni Hallam

12 7

Anthony Hart Uni’s women’s rugby union team held on to secure a Varsity win for a second consecutive year at the Abbeydale Sports Ground on the first day of Varsity proper.

Zoe Holroyd was the crucial difference between the two teams, as her two

tries shortly after the break sealed the victory.

Uni had already secured their Premier Division status for yet another season, and were able to focus on city bragging rights.

In terms of territory Uni dominated the first half, and for long periods were camped in the Hallam 22, but seemed unable to stretch Hallam’s back line and were somehow held to no score for the entirety of the first 40 minutes.

Early on in the second half however Uni got

the try they very much deserved. Holroyd was the scorer as she broke through and went over just to the left of goal.

However the resulting conversion was missed and the score was 5-0.

Although Hallam tried to get back into the game Uni got a second try just minutes later which made the game just a little more comfortable.

It was Holroyd again, who this time crossed the whitewash slighly right of the uprights, and the conversion was kicked

Uni capped a brilliant season with an assured Varsity display.

successfully this time, giving Uni a 12-0 lead.

Uni from there seemed destined for victory, but towards the end Hallam broke down the right hand side and managed to score a converted try which brought the game back to a five point margin.

Hallam’s right winger almost did the same thing again with moments to go as they went for a try which could have drawn, or even have won the game, but some resolute defensive play closed out the match for the Uni ladies.

Photos: Nurul Liyana Yeo

Uni men’s seconds cruise to victory Men’s rugby union 2s Uni Hallam

24 12

Patrick Joyce

Uni always looked in control.

Photo: Nurul Liyana Yeo

Uni put in an excellent performance to comfortably win their Varsity fixture.

It was clear right from the start that Uni had an edge over their city rivals, immediately regaining possession from the kick off. The forwards then proceeded to maul Hallam’s pack back to their 22. A quick snipe from scrumhalf John Davidson brought Uni within inches of the Hallam line before quickly recycling at the breakdown allowing Declan Gillet to score under the posts with Andrew Morrow adding the extras.

Hallam quickly replied, a clever kick through giving them a lineout in the Uni 22. Their forwards rumbled Uni back to the five metre line, and instead of keeping the ball tight they gave it some width with great success, as their winger snuck over in the corner.

A tight angle proved too much for their kicker, missing the conversion.

Hallam again failed to deal with the kickoff, handing possession straight back to Uni who

won a penalty at the breakdown. Morrow slotted home a tricky kick to extend Uni’s lead to five.

Uni were better in defence and looked more threatening with the ball in hand, and their superiority eventually told just before half-time.

Uni won a penalty deep in Hallam territory and took it quickly. The back-row linked up wonderfully with a barnstorming carry from Uni’s blindside flanker before he deftly offloaded it to the supporting number seven Rhys Coles, who gave Uni their second try and a 17-5 half-time lead.

While Hallam continued to look dangerous throughout the second half they lacked the game management that flyhalf Gillet gave Uni, and frequently surrendered possession cheaply.

The final nail in Hallam’s coffin was delivered by Ed Jones. Uni launched another attack up to the edge of their opposition’s 22 before Jones attacked down the blindside from a breakdown, shrugging off two tacklers and showing good pace to make the score 24-5 after Morrow added a precise conversion.

Hallam managed to score late in the game but Uni held on comfortably to win.

Late win for thirds Men’s rugby union 3s Uni Hallam

27 24

Hannah Frost and Fay Guest Black and gold reigned triumphant at Abbeydale, after Uni came back from a disappointing first half to secure victory.

Hallam took an early lead with a penalty in the fourth minute.

Despite some excellent play from Uni and an equalising penalty from Jamie Glydon, Hallam dominated the first 40 minutes. A Hallam try before the half time whistle was blown seemed to cement their win.

Hallam spectacularly collapsed, however: as the sun came out over Abbeydale, so too did Sheffield’s talent, with a try scored after two minutes by Lawrence Mouarkach.

Throughout the next 40 minutes it became clear that Uni were back with a vengeance with Uni dominating possession and showing unstoppable power in scrums. Hallam were rarely able to move play over the half way line and failed to convert tries, while Uni refused to let up the attack.

By the time Andy

McAlister fought his way to the try line to score 14 minutes in, it was clear that the Uni team were not going down without a fight.

A tense moment followed when Hugo Beardsall’s conversion kick took the ball straight to the post – as the crowd held its breath, the ball bounced off to give Uni two more points.

The next 10 minutes passed with valiant efforts from Mark Danby and tight-head prop Ben Hopkinson, whose multiple runs for the try line fell just short.

28 minutes into the second half Charlie Carter made it over the line to bring Uni nearer to victory.

With just three minutes to go, and scores standing at 24– 20 to Hallam, Matt Walne secured a Uni victory, battling through Hallam’s defence to score another try.

Scrumhalf Glydon kicked with precision once again to convert the try, bringing Uni a triumphant three points ahead of Hallam.

Despite last ditch efforts from the opposing team, the whistle blew with the score 27 – 24 to Uni. Captain Tom Coates was ecstatic. He said: ”We struggled through the first half but everything came together perfectly in the second.”

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End of day 1 Uni: 10 Hallam: 6

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VARSITY

Women’s firsts edge hockey epic Women’s hockey 1s Uni Hallam

4 3

Jay Allan Braces from Isabel Millar and Hollie Marie-Webb saw Sheffield’s women’s hockey firsts beat Hallam in a thrilling encounter at Abbeydale.

Millar opened the scoring with a deft finish into the bottom right corner of Hallam’s goal after some great work from MarieWebb.

But Hallam equalised

a few minutes later from the penalty spot, with the impressive Elly Davy finishing coolly into Uni’s net.

And they took the lead at the beginning of the second-half after some poor defending from Uni, with Sarah Bronley steering home from close range.

Two quick-fire goals from Millar and Marie-Webb put their side back in front, before Davy again leveled the score after dancing through a static Uni defence.

Marie-Webb then sealed the game for Uni after scrambling in a penalty during an up-and-down

Uni came out on top in a game that could have gone either way.

Firsts thrashed Men’s hockey 1s Uni Hallam

3 9

Matthew Smith This game started bathed in sunlight, and finished overcast and cold. So it was for Uni, who went into their Varsity hockey firsts encounter full of optimism, but left with their tails firmly between their legs, after Hallam effectively ended the game within the opening 15 minutes.

A tight opening few minutes was brought crashing to an end when Hallam opened the scoring.

Tom Feasby was played in, and his shot went in off keeper Clem Teagle’s outstretched leg.

This lead was soon doubled; Hallam took full advantage of their first short corner and Roper hit the top corner. On 12 minutes it was 3-0; Uni defender Sam Phillipot missed his interception, allowing Goodfield to round the keeper and score.

Netherwood then turned back to the edge of the scoring area and smacked home into the roof of the net.

Teagle made some decent saves but could not prevent a fifth, Roper stylishly curling it from the right into the left corner – it was already a thrashing.

Uni, however, refused to be cowed, and spurred on by vocal crowd support, grabbed one before the break through captain Matt Godden, slamming in a Booth pullback.

Gowman blasted past the beleaguered Teagle to restore the five-goal advantage, which was six before long as Shaw netted.

Humphreys added another to make it 8-1 before Uni pulled another back through David Dykes.

Gowman grabbed his personal second and Hallam’s final goal late on.

Dykes then scored his second for Uni, and Tom Phillips came close to a fourth , but his clever flick was off target.

game at Abbeydale.

It was a Varsity match of the highest quality, full of intensity and commitment that saw both sides take and then squander their leads throughout.

But it was Uni that started the brightest, pressing their opponents high up the pitch from its offset.

It was a strategy that bore Uni their first chance of the game. They finished it off in style, when the effervescent Marie-Webb, quick and dynamic right through the match, stole the ball from Hallam’s grasp.

She then launched a

powerful run into her opponent’s box before laying it off for Millar to apply a neat finish.

The goal sparked Hallam into life, with a rasping effort from a short corner saved well by Uni’s keeper.

And they were soon rewarded for their efforts, as Davy was brought down in the area after some clumsy Uni defending, sending the keeper the wrong way with an excellent finish from the resulting penalty.

Uni then responded with a ruthless bombardment on Hallam’s goal, seeing several chances go begging as they finished the

stronger of the two at the end of the first-half.

It was Hallam that took an unlikely lead at the start of the second-half though, with more poor Uni defending allowing Bronley clean through on goal, smashing home past a bewildered Uni keeper.

But the lead did not last long, as Millar’s deflected effort somehow found its way into Hallam’s net, before Marie-Webb scored with a spectacular effort from long range.

It was a reaction that characterised Uni’s relentless spirit and never-say-die attitude throughout.

And it was needed again when Davy levelled the score with a remarkable goal, twisting and turning through Uni’s defence before finishing with aplomb inside the bottom right corner.

Marie-Webb then answered the calls for another comeback, earning a penalty for her side after being fouled by Hallam’s keeper.

With all the pressure of a university on her shoulders, she managed to find the back of Hallam’s net after seeing her penalty deflect off the keeper’s legs.

Photos: Nurul Liyana Yeo

Men’s seconds squander early lead Men’s hockey 2s Uni Hallam

2 3

Jack Burnett Uni were made to pay for missed chances and costly defensive errors as Hallam snatched victory at Abbeydale.

Uni took an early lead only for Hallam to score twice before the half was out. A penalty levelled the game but Hallam instantly retook the lead and held on for victory.

A loss for Uni seemed the unlikeliest of results when, with streams of

fans still making their way to the stands, Dan Molloy lost his marker before rounding the keeper and slotting into the net within two minutes.

Uni played a patient game but looked vulnerable on the counterattack.

Hallam took advantage of a lapse in concentration when, allowed far too much space in front of goal, Andrew Whiting shifted the ball past Uni keeper Lewis Bartlett and was left with a simple finish to level the match.

Though George Radcliffe in the Hallam goal was forced to make a string of excellent stops, it was Hallam who led at the

break. Josh Barras was quicker to the rebound than Uni’s defenders after Bartlett had done well to block, smashing home to make it 2-1 at the break.

Hallam should have put the game to rest when Piers Duboulay did all the hard work in skipping past two defenders and rounding the keeper, but somehow contrived to miss with his reverse-stick attempt.

It looked as though it would come back to haunt Hallam when James Rigby did brilliantly to evade challenges and slide the ball into the danger zone from the back line. The ball was deflected goalwards and would have gone in

but for hitting a Hallam body on the line, leaving the umpire no choice but to award a penalty stroke.

Robert Joule stepped up to take it, and levelled for Uni with a clinical finish.

Uni’s joy was short-lived, as Hallam immediately responded courtesy of a fine lob from Duboulay.

They managed to cling on to the lead for the remainder of the game, surviving a last-ditch Uni effort from a short corner that Kieran Bhakta earned after a fine run down the right wing. The ball broke to Rigby, who blasted wide to dash any hopes of a dramatic late equaliser for Uni.

seconds were made to rue a slow start as they lost by a single goal at Abbeydale.

Uni had lost both their league encounters against Hallam this season without scoring a goal.

It was Hallam who came out of the blocks the

quickest and Uni were behind in just 90 seconds, as a shot agonisingly trickled it’s way into the goal.

Uni had several chances to get level, including a shot which hit the post just moments before half-time.

Both keepers were forced into saves, and Uni stayed in the hunt for the equaliser during the second half.

With 10 minutes left they changed their formation to a more attacking style but with no success.

Hallam victorious in tight encounter Women’s hockey 2s Uni Hallam

0 1

Anthony Hart Uni’s

women’s

hockey

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VARSITY

End of day 3 Uni: 16 Hallam: 10

Uni dominate tennis Varsity Women’s tennis Uni Hallam

10 2

Mathieu Warwood Uni’s women’s tennis team secured a resounding 10-2 victory over Sheffield Hallam to secure a Varsity point.

In perfect tennis weather conditions, the event kicked off with the first of two doubles, with Uni’s Laura Schuele and Becky Davidson edging out Hallam’s Rachel Doyle and Lauren Briggs in a closely fought encounter.

Hallam were the quickest off the mark, taking the first set 6-4, but this triggered a strong response from Uni who took the second set 6-4 and were victorious in the deciding tie break 7-3.

Schuele’s ruthless forehand strokes and Davidson’s consistent accuracy proved a potent partnership.

Hallam’s only win came in the second of the doubles with Charlotte Sykes and Rebecca Cole defeating Annabel Sidwell and Dong Cao, coming out on top in the deciding tie break 11-9.

Uni captain Sidwell said: “We started off too nervously and that’s what cost us the match.

You can feel the pressure of the occasion and you don’t want to let your teammate down.”

Uni’s dominance continued in the singles. Despite nursing a wrist injury, Schuele dug deep to see off Lauren Briggs in three sets, winning 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

Meanwhile Uni’s Rebecca Davidson cruised to victory against Hallam’s Sarah Ellis, winning 6-1, 6-1. Davidson impressed throughout, hitting some excellent winners and moving with elegance around the court.

The onslaught continued with Dong Cao’s faultless display against Charlotte Sykes, winning comfortably 6-1, 6-2 and ensuring Uni’s overall victory. From the start, Cao cemented her prowess, cleverly mixing up her play and unsettling a lacklustre Sykes who was unable to establish any sort of foothold in the game.

To add to Uni’s celebrations, Captain Annabel Sidwell drew a pulsating day of tennis to a close by scraping a narrow victory over Rebecca Cole in the final set tie break 11-9.

Meanhile the Varsity point for the men’s tennis firsts went to Hallam, but Uni took a point in the men’s seconds.

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Trampolinists bounce to first ever Varsity victory Trampolining Uni Hallam

24 13

The University of Sheffield tasted trampolining Varsity success for the first time in ten years following a 24-12 defeat of Hallam.

Uni claimed a clean sweep in the Uber category with Bryony Page securing top spot in that competition following an exquisite routine.

Emma Street came out on top in the advanced category, with her routine producing a fantastic

reception from the crowd at The All Saints High School.

Uni had further success in the elite male category with Ashley Payne jumping confidently to take first place.

It was an equally successful story for Fran Solari who continued the good form from the University team with victory in the intermediate category.

Speaking after Uni’s fantastic success, Emma Street said: “Everyone bounced amazingly and we finally showed what true potential we have.”

Adam Hancock

The crowd look on at All Saints High School following another succesful Uni routine as they won trampolining Varsity.

Hallam swimmers restore pool pride Swimming Uni Hallam

105 115

Sheffield Hallam snatched the swimming point in what was a close-fought affair at Ponds Forge on Friday morning.

Hallam had won every single Varsity swimming gala up until Uni’s inaugural victory last year and returned to winning ways by 10 points in the 2012 meeting.

Each race was contested by two Uni and two Hallam swimmers, picking up points for their teams based on finishing positions.

The first few races were close fought, with the scoreline at 3030 after the first few races. Uni then managed to maintain a very small gap over the first half of the morning, including victory in the women’s 100 metre backstroke, At the break it was 61-59. At

the half way stage confidence seemed high in the Uni camp as they looked to consolidate their advantage, but it was about to go wrong.

Hallam improved in the second half, and within a few races had levelled things up to 70-70.

They started to string together a number of race wins, including strong performances in the butterfly events and pulled out into the lead after a strong start to the relays.

In reality, the outcome of the event was settled before the start of the final relay races, although Uni just took the spoils in the final women’s relay, Hallam took the tie by a final scoreline of 115110, leaving Hallam with the first of the Varsity points which were contested in the pool that day.

Anthony Hart

8 2

The University of Sheffield Squash team rounded off a successful day at the Hallamshire Tennis and Squash club.

Uni surged into a dominant lead and never looked back as the crowd generated a terrific atmosphere in the small squash arena.

The victory for squash ensured that Uni took won all the racket Varsity events. Adam Hancock

Men’s water polo Uni Hallam

Women’s water polo 8 6

In a repeat score of last year’s Varsity clash, Hallam took an early lead with two goals. After a quick break, the game became a much closer affair with a score of 3-2 to Uni. Uni pulled away to take the lead with a fantastic string of six goals in a row, with Marios Zachariades impressively throwing the ball backwards to bring the score to 7-3.

The game got more physical as Hallam scored a trio of goals, but failed to regain the lead Uni scored the final goal of the game, and were in high spirits as they swam back to the sides.

Uni captain Conrad Rhodes said: “It was an excellent performance.”

Coral Williamson

Varsity swimmers compete at Ponds Forge.

Photo: Adam Harley

Uni Hallam

4 5

Uni gave an impressive effort but couldn’t stave off the BUCS champions at Ponds Forge.

Hallam dominated from the first whistle and scored three goals within the first five minutes.

The score would have been much higher if it weren’t for skilled defensive plays from the Uni team, including some great saves from the Uni keeper.

Uni managed to score their second, third and fourth goals all within a short space of time, but this was not enough to take the match.

Team captain Holly Castleton said: “5-4 against the BUCS champions, when they’re in the league above us, is not bad at all.”

Fay Guest

Canoe honours even Uni Hallam

Squash

Photo: Nurul Liyana Yeo

Point each in polo

Men’s Canoe polo

Uni squashed Uni Hallam

FORGE PRESS Thursday March 29 2012

Women’s Canoe polo 5 6

Uni lost despite dominating possession throughout the game.

Uni were gifted with the first goal of the match, but Hallam replied twice, the second goal a skilful throw from the middle of the pool.

The furious play gave Uni some great goals, three by Matt Tipman and a further by Captain James Thompson.

A throw from Uni’s own half of the pool made it 4-3, but Uni were unable to stop Hallam from taking over the score as they scored three times more to Uni’s once.

Thompson said: “We just didn’t get the shots and they did.”

Alisha Rouse

Uni Hallam

5 3

Uni stormed to victory as they dominated throughout and provided some great finishes.

Uni provided the first goal of the game through a stunning shot from captain Rachel Thorely.

Hallam soon equalised, but were quickly beaten by an effort from Rosa Hopkins.

The Uni team ran ahead with another goal from their captain just before the half-time whistle.

Uni then smashed home another two goals from Hopkins and Thorley, though Hallam scored two late goals.

Thorley said: “It’s a great result for months of hard training” Alisha Rouse

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5 End of day 4/ Uni: 18.5 4.5 Hallam: 1

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VARSITY

Hallam hit hardest Grand Slam in first boxing bout for rugby Rubgy union firsts Uni Hallam

21 19

Patrick Joyce

Uni looked to have won the boxing but a contentious decision from the judges gave it to Hallam.

Boxing Uni Hallam

1 2

Adam Hancock and Ruby Merriman Hallam claimed victory in the inaugural boxing Varsity competition following a dramatic evening at the Octagon

centre.

Hallam’s Ricki Webster won the vital point in the final bout of the evening to ensure Hallam won the competition 2-1.

The first Varsity fight saw Hallam’s Mark Greenwood defeat Vivek Mandeep Saudh of Uni. Next up, Richard Schenk defeated Shay McCarthy of Hallam to level the scores.

The deciding fight ended

Photos: Nurul Liyana Yeo

with the judges giving a unanimous decision to Hallam’s Webster as Sam Gunter tasted defeat for uni.

In a separate non Varsity bout, Uni’s Danny Armstrong was victorious.

See more boxing More photos on our website ForgeToday.com

DOT COM

Women’s badminton ends all square Women’s badminton Uni Hallam

4 4

Uni and Hallam shared a point following a 4-4 draw at EIS Hallam started well with the first singles game being

won 21-16 and the second game finishing 21-7.

In the doubles, Emily Nelson and her partner won their first doubles match 2-0.

The other Uni doubles side lost their first match 2-0 but won their second with scorelines of 21-6 and

21-9.

Poppy Bensberg won her singles 2-0 for Uni, meaning they had at least four points going into the decider. The crucial match saw Hallam winning 2-1 overall, meaning the points were shared.

Ollie Turner

Uni’s first XV claimed the sweetest of victories at Don Valley Stadium to secure a Varsity Grand Slam for Uni’s rugby union teams.

In a game in which both sides dominated for periods without either landing the crucial blow, it was Hallam that started the better. With a physical backline Hallam punched through Uni’s defence with frightening ease from the first whistle and Uni were placed under almost continuous pressure.

It seemed the worst had come to pass when Hallam’s open side flanker crashed over the try line, but he was denied by gutsy cover defence. The fantastic defence was then followed by a huge effort at the scrum as Uni’s pack bullied Hallam off the ball, allowing Sheffield’s flyhalf to clear the lines.

Hallam eventually managed to gain a penalty a few phases later but three points was scant reward for a period of almost total control. After surviving the opening Hallam surge, Uni began to settle into their game, managing to reply with a penalty under the posts to take the score back to 3-3.

Despite the recovery, Uni were still coming off second best around the park as sloppy mistakes, missed tackles and dropped balls confounded their attempts to take charge of the game.

Penalties were exchanged again and the game needed a spark to bring it to life, and it got one just before halftime.

Uni worked the blindside excellently in Hallam’s

22 to dissect the Hallam defence, with Jonny France able to receive a neat offload and touchdown in the corner.

Uni’s hard work was undone almost immediately after kick off as Hallam responded with a near identical try.

Hallam’s number 11 left the defence for dead after scooping up a loose ball, and though he was brought down by a fantastic tackle, he managed to slip out an offload to the supporting inside centre who scored in the corner. However, the game stayed level as Hallam missed the conversion.

The match continued to be littered with mistakes but a moment of brilliance from replacement scrum half Danny Rapello put Uni firmly on top. After holding off the initial move from a Uni scrum Hallam had seemingly subdued the attack, but, belying his size, Rapello surged through a gap at the edge of the breakdown and held off the tacklers to score under the posts and to send Uni into a crucial 18-11 lead.

Penalties were traded again as time for a Hallam fight back ticked away, but with only seven points in it, the game was finely poised on a knife edge.

Eventually Hallam pressure told with a well worked lineout and a powerful maul driving over the line. A conversion would have drawn the match level but under intense pressure, and dealing with a tight angle, Hallam’s full back edged the kick wide.

With the score at 2119 a tense few minutes followed as Hallam sought desperately to find a winner, but it was not to be as the final whistle signalled jubilation for Uni and heartbreak for Hallam.

Double loss for Uni as Hallam take maximum points in men’s badminton Men’s badminton 1s Uni Hallam

3 5

Jamie van Hooijdonk won the first rubber 21-11, 21-6 to put Uni 1-0 up.

Hallam levelled when Joe Pickering lost his first

singles rubber, before Uni went behind as Laurence Lee and Freddie Mather lost their first doubles match 21-17, 21-6.

Rich Grainger and Anderson Chu won their first doubles match to level.

Van Hooijdonk was then beaten 21-18, 21-16 in his

second singles rubber.

Joe Pickering gave Uni hope, winning 21-11, 21-10.

But Hallam won the last two doubles rubbers, first against Grainger and Chu and finally against Lee and Mather.

Stuart Hill

Men’s badminton 2s Uni Hallam

2 6

Jordan Fleming and Rob Flack won both their matches for Uni, but the rest of the side struggled.

Fleming and Flack won

their first match 21-17, 2116 and their second 21-16, 21-16.

Uni’s Connor Dean and Graham Norquay lost a tight encounter 15-21, 2119, 21-19.

Qi Wei Ooi and Gaochao lost their first singles matches in straight

sets. Both upped their performances in the second round, Ooi winning the first set but losing 20-22, 21-10, 21-10.

Cheung’s final match also went the full three set distance, but his loss gave Hallam the point.

Matt Burgess

Hallam survive late Uni fightback

Uni korfball seconds outclassed

Korfball 1s

Korfball 2s

Uni Hallam

8 11

A ruthless Hallam team surged to victory, quashing Uni’s hopes of a late comeback.

The first half was all oneway traffic, and Hallam were unlucky to go into the

break with only a 7-3 lead.

Uni came back rejuvenated, with players stringing together more convincing sequences of play. Lizzy Melville and Danny Buss both managed impressive interceptions with quick footwork.

Oliver Jarvis scored an excellent individual point for Uni, and after two more goals, the crowd sensed an

upset was on the cards.

Natasha Dawson squeezed through the Hallam defence and scored from a seemingly impossible angle.

Despite Uni’s late pressure, Hallam always looked in control and their dominance in the first-half was Uni’s undoing.

Jonathan Robinson

Uni Hallam

2 8

Hallam’s seconds waltzed home to an easy win at EIS. From the get go, Hallam looked more clinical in their play and scored first through a relentless sequence of long balls.

The score stayed 1-0 for some time, before another Hallam attack eventually slipped through.

An individual effort from Uni’s Rory Linton did little to change the run of events.

After half-time, Hallam pulled away with three killer goals.

James Dale and Tom Rich linked together seamlessly and Joe McArdle scored

a late point to reduce the score to 5-2, but it wasn’t enough to derail Hallam.

They replied within seconds and romped home to a comfortable 8-2 win.

The score might have been more if it hadn’t been for an excellent defensive display by Heather Bellamy.

Jonathan Robinson

VARSITY2012 Aikido American Football Men’s Athletics Women’s Athletics Men’s Badminton 1sts Mens’s Badminton 2nds Women’s Badminton Tie +0.5 each Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Men’s Canoe Polo Women’s Canoe Polo Climbing +2 Uni +1 Hallam Men’s Cricket 1sts Men’s Cricket 2nds Women’s Cricket Cycling +2 Uni Men’s Football 1sts Men’s Football 2nds Men’s Football 3rds Men’s Football 4ths Women’s Football 1sts Women’s Football 2nds Futsal Men’s Hockey 1sts Men’s Hockey 2nds Men’s Hockey 3rds Tie +0.5 each Women’s Hockey 1sts Women’s Hockey 2nds Women’s Hockey 3rds Ice Hockey

Uni 31 - 32 Hallam Judo Korfball 1sts Korball 2nds Men’s Lacrosse Women’s Lacrosse Netball 1sts Netball 2nds Netball 3rds Rowing Rugby League Men’s Rugby Union 1sts Men’s Rugby Union 2nds Men’s Rugby Union 3rds Women’s Rugby Union Sailing Ski Slope Style Ski Racing Snowboard Slope Style Snowboard Racing Squash Swimming Men’s Tennis 1sts Men’s Tennis 2nds Women’s Tennis Trampolining Ultimate Frisbee Men’s Volleyball Women’s Volleyball Men’s Waterpolo Women’s Waterpolo

Photo: Nurul Liyana Yeo

V10

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FORGE PRESS Thursday March 29 2012

VARSITY

Mixed ‘manic Monday’ for Un Track and field delight for Uni’s women at EIS Women’s athletics Uni Hallam

65 50

Adam Hancock Uni ran out 65-50 winners over Hallam at EIS, following strong performances on both track and field.

Having lost the women’s competition last year, Uni were desperate for revenge and started well with Poppy Blake winning the women’s 1,500 metres.

After losing the first field event, the triple jump, Uni fought back to take all three podium positions in the 60 metres race. Suki Cirillo was in inspired form as she comfortably won the sprint.

Uni had a strong afternoon in the field events with Hannah Sargeant jumping 4.79 metres to win the long jump. Clarice Underwood came second, highlighting how Uni have improved since last year.

In the 3,000 metres, Hallam took the spoils, but Uni comfortably won the 400 metres to extend their points total by ten points and take command of the competition.

Hallam were expected to dominate the 800 metres event and they did, taking first and third. They were denied a top two finish however, following a storming final 200 metres

by Rosie Keane.

Suki Cirillo was back on the podium as she won the first 200 metres race, despite heavy strapping on her leg. In the second 200 metre race, proceedings were much closer with a

Hallam athlete taking top spot.

Success on the field continued as Rosie Marino won the shot put, throwing the shot a distance of 9.51 metres. This spurred on the athletes in the 60 metre hurdles, as Uni locked out the top two positions to almost secure overall victory.

In the final relay event, Uni came out winners, with all baton handovers smoothly negotiated.

Hallam fought well to gain

second place in the relay with Uni grabbing third.

This win rounded off a successful afternoon with track and field captain Michael Fraser saying: “It’s unexpected as we came here not really thinking we could pick up a point, but the women excelled.

“The real stars were those who today competed in multiple events. We now look forward to the national BUCS Finals.”

Male athletes lose No Uni point in basketball

Aikido in good form

Men’s athletics Uni Hallam

Aikido Uni Hallam

Photos: Andrey Vasilyev

The athletics spoils were shared.

5 3

Uni, led by Charles Yuen, stormed to victory.

Hallam left the nage no kata with a 2-1 lead, dominating with swift but controlled movements.

In the randori no kata, in which competitors took turns to wield a tanto (a wooden knife), Uni regained a decisive lead.

Danny Atherton’s Hallam squad put up a valiant fight but tired quickly as they were outnumbered, and Uni took the point.

Tom Wardak

47 68

Hallam reversed last year’s men’s athletics result, winning by 21 points.

Rob Gardner took top spot for Uni in the 1500 metres.

Ricky Reeves won in the 60 metres for Hallam, remaining composed after a false start.

Uni came out on top in the shot put, with Fehily, Sawyers and Drake making up the top three.

Back on the track, Hallam took the top two places in the 3000 metres.

In a controversial 400 metres race, Hallam finished first and third following lots of pushing and shoving at the head of

the field.

Ed Davies jumped 1.82 metres in the high jump for Hallam, with Pete Drake second for Uni. Hallam also dominated the sprints with wins in all 200 metres races and the 60 metres hurdles.

An impressive performance by Uni’s relay team ensured they finished first in the 4×200 metre relay. Uni could have also grabbed second, however the second handover saw the baton dropped and they never fully recovered.

In the final field event, Uni managed an excellent win with Joshua Bones coming out on top in the long jump. It was, however, too little too late as Hallam comfortably won overall.

Adam Hancock

Men’s basketball 1s Uni Hallam

51 73

Uni lost out despite a battling effort against a side two leagues above them.

Uni, undefeated in the league this season, were always on the tails of their city rivals and just couldn’t make up the difference towards the end.

Uni opened the scoring with the first basket of the night, but Hallam showed a sign of things to come as they instantly replied, before tearing their opponents’ defence open with a court-length run to take a two-point lead.

Hallam led by one point going into the second

quarter.

Hallam then pulled away into a lead which they would keep for the rest of the game as they began to show their dominance.

Despite a good threepoint Uni effort, Hallam scored four baskets in quick succession, giving them a 21-point lead into the second half.

A great move by Uni captain Dan Dawson reduced the deficit, but Hallam took an 18-point lead into the final quarter.

Hallam ultimately saw the game out, winning by 22 points.

Dawson said: “That was one of the best games we have played all season.

They’re so much better than all the teams we have come up against.”

David Parker

Women’s basketball 1s Uni Hallam

46 76

A valiant effort from Uni was not enough to prevent defeat against a Hallam side two leagues above them.

Uni have been in great form this season, but were always underdogs going into the game.

Uni scored a great early three-pointer and star player Ellyn Carnall made a skilful run to win another free shot.

Despite this Hallam took a one-point lead into the second quarter, and had extended this to 10 points at half time.

Hallam started to pull away in the second half, up by 24 going into the final quarter.

Hallam killed the game with a good counter attack as they beat their rivals by 30 points.

David Parker

FORGE PRESS Thursday March 29 2012

End of day 5 Uni: 22.5 .5 Hallam: 21

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V11

VARSITY

ni as Hallam take 7 points

Uni set the tone for the day with a brilliant comeback in the thirds.

Photo: Duncan Philpott

Uni have the best of the netball Netball 1s Uni Hallam

Futsal defeated

Men’s futsal Uni Hallam

3 9

Hallam ran out resounding 9-3 winners at EIS. Joel Rocha and Vasilious Koutsilas both scored four apiece as Hallam ran riot in the second half. Will Kendall grabbed two goals for Uni with a Hallam own goal also making the score sheet.

Uni started the better side, but had their good work wiped out when Hallam took the lead on three minutes.

Koutsilas sent the ball in from the left for Alex Bailey to easily sweep home.

A minute later Hallam doubled their lead, with a long-ranger from Joel Rocha.

Hallam’s Joel Young was unfortunate to head the ball into his own net, but two

minutes later they restored their two goal cushion.

Koutsilas made a surging run down the left hand side and slammed the ball into the top of the net from an acute angle. Hallam then made it 4-1 on the stroke of half time via Jonny Steele.

Will Kendall grabbed Uni’s second, but Hallam made it 5-2 a minute later through another great Rocha goal.

Kendall slammed home at the back post to give Uni hope, before Koutsilas scored a hat-trick in the space of three minutes and Rocha grabbed his fourth of the game with an easy tap in to complete the rout.

Uni’s Dragos Vreche was shown a late red card after the final whistle for arguing with the referee.

Adam Hancock

37 29

Uni crushed Hallam to seal a precious point for the Black and Gold army.

With Uni having already beaten Hallam convincingly twice in the league this season, they were arguably under more pressure to perform in the season’s biggest game.

After an even start, Uni showed their mettle in the second and pulled into a four point lead from which Hallam never recovered.

A tight first quarter finished 8-7 to Uni, and the nerves were increased straight after the break as Hallam drew level.

Uni soon went on a scoring spree, notching six goals with Hallam only replying twice.

Uni ended the quarter

in perfect fashion, with a half time lead of six points.

They then raced to a nine goal lead, although Hallam managed to score five in succession to give the fans in maroon hope.

Wing defence Natasha Dawson instigated some fine breaks for Uni, who led 28-24 going into the final period.

Any fears of a Hallam comeback were soon extinguished as Uni notched four goals, eventually leading 32-25 with five minutes left.

With the outstanding Dawson and some strong goalkeeping, Hallam were unable to muster any kind of fightback, and after Hallam missed several shots, the Uni faithful could celebrate a comprehensive 37-29 win.

Nicholas Carding

Netball 2s Uni Hallam

Netball 3s 33 36

Hallam held off a late Uni rally to win at EIS. Hallam raced into a three point lead. Uni goal shooter Ailsa Hickey was twice put off by Hallam’s goalkeeper, who started the game extremely well.

Hickey nicked two late goals before the period was out.

After five minutes of the second, Uni drew level, again through Hickey.

In the third, Hallam came back strongly to lead 27-23 heading into the final period.

Trailing 34-26, Uni looked dead and buried.

Though they reduced the lead to two points with a minute left, Hallam held on to win.

Nicholas Carding

Uni Hallam

40 33

Uni produced a stunning comeback to beat Hallam.

Uni dominated the first quarter, but couldn’t shake Hallam off after some good finishing from their goal attacker Sharrock.

Uni held a slender 7-6 lead at the end of the first.

Hallam then took over the game to lead 20-15 at the halfway stage.

Hallam took what looked to be a decisive 2719 lead in the third, but Uni reduced the arrears to 29-25 before the final period.

With the scores poised at 32-32 Uni pulled away, and the comeback was completed after neat play set up a superb goal in the last minute.

Nicholas Carding

Double joy for Hallam in volleyball Men’s volleyball Uni Hallam

0 3

Women’s volleyball Uni Hallam

2 3

Uni suffered two defeats in the volleyball at EIS. In the opening game, the women were agonisingly close to securing a point for Uni as they lost by three sets to two.

The men were easily

beaten in straight sets against a very strong Hallam side.

Uni’s women began well and took the first set easily 25-11, but Hallam struck back to level the encounter, winning 25-16 in the second.

The see-saw battle continued as Uni took the third set in an epic, 2523. Katie Beardsmore and Barbara Fazekas were particularly impressive in attack.

Uni flew into a 6-0 lead in the fourth, but Hallam pegged them back, with

captain Abi Murray leading from the front.

Hallam nicked the set 25-23.

The momentum with them, Hallam then raced into an 8-5 lead in the final set (played to 15) at the change of ends. Uni fought back but it was not to be as Hallam won 15-12.

The men were always up against it as they faced a Hallam side rumoured to contain a couple of Team GB players.

Solid defence from captain Ramon Hussein set the tone, however, and Uni

matched Hallam for the start of the encounter.

Damien Imschoot was impressive for Uni, putting his body on the line on a number of occasions.

Hallam took the first set 25-15, and were again stronger in the second, winning 25-17.

Needing to win the third to stay in the game, Uni began well and it was tight all the way to the end until Hallam just exerted enough pressure to take it 25-19.

Will Aitkenhead

V12

VARSITY

End of day 7 Uni: 24 Hallam: 27

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FORGE PRESS Thursday March 29 2012

Uni suffer whitewash defeat in the cricket Cricket Men’s 1sts Uni Hallam

98 99

Cricket Men’s 2nds Uni Hallam

117 121

Cricket Women’s Uni Hallam

101 104

Ollie Turner Uni lost all three matches to Hallam in the cricket at the Graham Solley Centre on Monday as the men’s firsts and seconds and the women’s side all suffered defeat at the hands of their city rivals.

As a result, three crucial points went to Hallam on the penultimate day of Varsity.

The men’s seconds were up first and Hallam set them a total of 121 but unfortunately Uni were all out for 117. Perry and Holdgate both top-scored with 41 runs, the former being stumped and the latter being caught by one of the Hallam fielders as the mid-order crumbled as the match went on, a valiant attempt but just fell short by four runs.

The women’s cricket took place and Uni

Uni judo team triumphs Judo Uni Hallam

40 25

Matthew Smith Uni took victory in this year’s Varsity Judo against Hallam thanks to a dominant performance in the lower weight divisions.

Uni won all their fights in the weight categories below 73 kg, and even though Hallam were superior when it came to the heavyweight fighters, Uni did enough to carry away the trophy.

Uni’s Rachel Wilkins drew first blood in the -57kg category, scoring an early yuukou.

She was forced onto the defensive when pushed onto

her back, but no finishing hold was forthcoming.

Wilkins then picked up another yuukou with a stylish throw, but almost lost it all when a failed Seoi Nage put her on her front.

Nevertheless, Wilkins struck the final blow, a decisive ground hold that she maintained for the requisite 25 seconds for the win.

Uni then extended their lead to 20-0 in the +57kg weight with Kirsty Stark overcoming an impressive opening by Hallam’s Mahalia Dixon to conduct a perfect throw, taking an instant win with an ‘Ippon’ decision by the judge.

Next was -66kg,

and there was no quarter asked or given by the two fighters in a tight opening.

No throws were successful, until finally Matt Fazakerley of University got his man with a well-executed submission.

This was achieved by Pete Belton, who, faced by an understandably desperate Hallam opponent in Adam Taylor, put in the most dominant performance of the evening.

He threw his adversary first for a Yuukou, then an astonishing Ippon which even Taylor applauded from the ground.

Hallam rallied after this, though it was all in vain,

perhaps Uni were a little lazy also, as Hallam won in the three remaining weight disciplines.

In -81kg, Ant Stor got his team’s first points on the board with a sublime O Goshi within the first minute of his bout, and the -90kg encounter was over in similarly swift circumstances and with a replicated outcome.

The final fight of the night was the real heavyweight bout, in the over 90kg discipline, and it was the only fight of the night to last the full four minute time limit.

A tense opening half, full of defensive manouvers, was broken by a strong Hallam move, throwing Joel Rowlands of Uni for five points.

managed to score 101-5 in their 12 overs. Boughton was out in the fifth over, being run out having only scored six runs. They were at 26-2 when Brown was bowled for five runs before Dibble was out for a duck after being run out.

Lowton and Harris managed to stage a partnership of 49 runs, the former getting dropped at least twice on her way to top-scoring with 15 runs and the latter nearly being run out in the 8th over. Despite this, both were eventually run out as Uni finished on 101-5.

Hallam’s women cruised to victory without losing a single wicket as they raced to 104 without loss within six overs.

The men’s firsts were the last play as Uni batted first. Great fielding from Hallam saw Hooper run out for four off the bowling of Cryer and ended the opening over 5-1. Williams and Murrall were able to hit 25 runs together before the final ball of the fifth over when Murrall was bowled out

by Smallwood, leaving Uni 33-2. In his first over, Haynes in a six as well as two 4s and another five before retiring on 29 while Williams also retired in the 10th over on 27, leaving Uni at 74-2 going into the final two overs.

Aitkenhead and Charles came in and only

managed to hit five and eight runs respectively before being caught out in the final over; the former being stumped and the latter run out. Haynes was the fifth wicket, being stumped, while Williams was able to add seven more runs before the end of their innings, meaning Hallam had to score 99 to win after Uni’s innings of 98-5.

Hallam already had 16 runs before Uni claimed their first wicket of the innings in the third over, Allcoat was out for LBW for 13 off the bowling of Hooper at 171. His opening partner Smallwood was joined at the crease by Cafferty who was run out for seven in the fifth open. Smallwood was then caught off the bowling of Williams in the sixth over for 18 but Hallam were still in a good position to win the match at 49-3.

Smith entered the fray in the sixth and helped Hallam, hitting two fours in his opening over and a six in the eigth as he retired on 28. Thompson and Cryer then helped Hallam reach 99 runs, staging a partnership of 30 runs. Thompson was bowled by Williams for 17 for Cryer hit the winning run in the final over to win the match and helped complete the 3-0 whitewash in the cricket.

Mixed bag for hockey 3s Hockey Men’s 3rds Uni Hallam

3 3

Hockey Women’s 3rds Uni Hallam

0 2

Tom Geddes On the penultimate day of Varsity under baking sunlight, the University’s 3rd tier hockey teams assembled to take on the opposition.

Despite a sustained effort from both the women’s and men’s teams, both results disappointed after successful seasons.

The women’s result was the more disappointing of the two: a 2-0 defeat.

It was a game that never really met the occasion, with early interplay lacking the polish that supporters expect.

As Uni tried to build from the back, Hallam increased the pressure.

The result was a

scrappy period of constant exchanging possession. The first half passed with relatively little notable action, until a lose ball in the Uni D was punished by Hallam opportunism. As the ball bounced from stick to stick, a Hallam poacher prodded the ball underneath the onrushing Uni goalkeeper.

There was immediate response from Uni, with impressive work down the right flank almost resulting in a just reward, however as the half time whistle blew, Uni were trailing.

The second half was all about Uni. The equalizer however remained elusive.

As Uni pressed on, they could not turn possession into a currency that counted.

Hallam however could; securing the victory with a second goal following more nervous play in the Uni D. It was a game that

deserved no victor, however Hallam ignored the script, poaching two goals from undeserving openings.

The men’s game was one that did deserve a victor, but failed to provide one. Uni took the first blood; Will Brotherton clinical from the spot following a trip by the Hallam keeper.

There was promise of more however at the break it remained 1-0.

The second half saw Hallam turn score two goals in a matter of moments. It would have been easy for uni to collapse, but they didn’t. They first equalized from a well worked short corner, converted by James Whiting. Then when Hallam took the lead again, Harry Fox showed his character to ensure the spoils were shared at Goodwin.

FORGE PRESS Thursday March 29 2012

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Final day

Climb-actic final Varsity day Climbing Uni Hallam

2 1

Charlotte Miller Uni’s climbers beat Hallam in a tense competition at the Foundry Climbing Centre, taking two out of the three Varsity points on offer to Hallam’s one on the final day of competition.

With a turnout of 56 climbers, 45 from Uni, individual climbers were challenged to complete 20 routes set especially for the competition.

They had two and a half hours to try to complete the climbs, with fewer points being awarded per route if multiple attempts were needed to reach the top of the wall.

The Varsity points were given to the top scoring woman, top scoring man and top scoring team of six people including at least one woman.

The first went to Emma Hanna, of Hallam, with 112 points.

The top scoring man was Uni’s Paul Latham, with an impressive 182 points.

The highest scoring team also came from Uni, beating the best of Hallam by around 100 points.

Routes were generally agreed to be more difficult than the previous year, but this did not manage to separate the best climbers of the day, as Jonathon Field of Uni was only one point behind Paul Latham, closely missing out on being the highest scoring male climber. The Hallam climbers’ highest

American football Uni Hallam

scorer was Jake Haddock with 179 points. On the other hand, Emma Hanna led the women by 10 points, overshadowing her competitors.

The high attendance on the day meant that many people spent time waiting for the chance to tackle the bouldering problems, but as the two and a half hours passed, competitors began to tire.

Attempts to climb became less successful and the holds became greasy from overuse.

More difficult routes were focused on once the easier routes had been finished, leading to more falls.

Here the team mentality of both universities came though as people offered advice to those attempting the last few climbs.

Uni Hallam

6 54

Craig Giles Despite an early lead and a noble effort from Uni, they could not do enough to beat a tough Hallam team.

Uni came into Varsity the underdogs, with Hallam beating Uni 44-6 last year and also playing a division above Uni. In front of a large crowd at Hillsborough Park and in ideal weather, Uni made a good start with lots of attacking possession.

Uni broke through the Hallam defence early on, Nic Pluskota scoring the opening try of the game

yet another difficult kick.

Uni followed with a good period of attacking possession where they looked threatening and were held up near the try line several times.

However, Hallam rallied and, after two minutes of intense pressure, scored again, with Holt converting to make it 20-6.

Hallam added a final try before the end of the first half, but Holt again failed to convert and Hallam went into the break 24-6 up.

The second half started with Hallam receiving the ball. Jones scored near the post and Holt converted to make it 30-6. Jones scored again within two minutes and Holt converted.

After some more great

28 29

Jack Burnett

Photos: Charlotte Miller

Hallam cruise to rugby league victory after surviving early scare and the conversion to put Uni 6-0 up.

Hallam dominated possession after the restart and finally scored their first try of the game after 10 minutes.

Hallam kicker Tom Holt missed a difficult kick, leaving Uni with a twopoint lead.

Uni then kicked to their opponents and almost immediately Hallam scored a breakaway try.

Holt converted and Hallam took the lead, 10-6.

20 minutes into the game, a Hallam player went down injured with a broken shin bone after strong tackles by two Uni players.

Two minutes after the restart Hallam scored their third try with an overlap in the corner, but Holt missed

VARSITY

Hallam point for Steel Bowl

Uni won two points from climbing after victories in the men’s and team categories.

Rugby league

V13

attacking play by Hallam, Holt crossed and held onto the ball to convert.

After three converted tries within seven minutes of the restart, Hallam led 42-6 and any talk of a comeback from the Uni faithful on the sidelines at halftime looked to have been dashed.

Uni managed to win the ball after the restart and had a good period of possession to steady the ship after the shaky start to the second half.

Attacks from both teams were stopped by good defensive play as Uni and Hallam both had men held up over the try line.

28 minutes into the second half, Hallam finally broke through the Uni defence to score under the

posts, with Holt making it 48-6.

Hallam were soon left with 12 men for the rest of the game after they had a player sin-binned when a tackle sparked a brawl.

Uni gained possession, using their extra man in a sustained period of attack.

Hallam defended well though and again managed to hold Uni up over the try line.

Hallam scored the final try of the match in the final two minutes, and Holt converted to make it 6-54.

Uni captain Matt Cannon was not too disheartened, saying: “It was a bit of a bad day, but you can’t knock the effort of the lads. We are going to forget it, put it in the past and get our heads up for next season.”

As a result of Uni’s Sheffield Sabres reaching the Challenge Trophy semi-finals, the regular season result between them and Hallam Warriors was used to determine which side got the Varsity point for American football.

There had been hopes among Uni officials that Hallam would allow for the fixture, which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, to be discounted since Sabres could not play so soon after Sunday’s semi-final, which they won against UEA Pirates. However, as had been the case for the past four years, one Varsity point was awarded to the winners of the BUAFL season’s Steel Bowl.

Sabres captain David Bratt was disappointed to lose the point but understood the decision.

He said: “It was difficult this year because our season should have finished about two weeks ago, but it was pushed back by the league because of snow. This means we had our playoff game only two days before the Varsity fixture.

By league rules, we have to have 36 hours between games – we would have had about 48 hours.

“Hallam still wanted to play but the coaches said no. It’s the first time the Sabres have even made the play-offs, never mind the national finals. They decided we didn’t want to take the risk of injuries.

It’s always disappointing when you don’t get to play a game.”

February’s Steel Bowl was a surprisingly close affair given how highly fancied Warriors were.

The favourites scored first, running in a long play from their double wing formation, though Sabres prevented the two-point conversion.

Uni quarterback Dan Jones levelled with his third touchdown of the season after connecting with receiver James Sharrock.

A two-point conversion in the second quarter handed Warriors a 13-6 lead, and Hallam quickly followed it up with another touchdown.

Sabres pulled a score back before half time, and came within a point of Hallam after an early touchdown in the third quarter.

After Uni gained a seven-point lead in the fourth, however, Hallam struck back to take the win by a single point.

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FORGE PRESS Thursday March 29 2012

VARSITY

Webb of deceit: Uni rue Prem Men’s football 1s

Uni Hallam

0 1

Arnold Bennett Hallam edged past Uni to clinch the men’s football firsts, and Varsity as a whole, after a single goal was enough to separate the two teams at Hillsborough.

Premier League referee Howard Webb took charge of the proceedings, and found himself at the centre of attention when he turned down Uni appeals for a penalty and then showing a red card to Uni’s Jack Cripps.

An overlapping run in the eighth minute from the Hallam fullback led to a low cross that was narrowly edged wide at the near post.

Uni responded immediately, throwing in a low cross of their own which found Andrew Forster in the box, his first time shot clattering against the post.

Hallam scored the only goal of the game in the 19th minute when an inswinging corner found Charlie Weir at the far post who nodded in comfortably.

Uni struggled to retain any sort of possession following the goal, as Hallam passed and probed patiently. Another Hallam corner posed problems again for Uni as an attacking header hit the crossbar before the ball could be cleared.

Uni will have felt aggrieved to go into half time a goal down after Webb turned down their shouts for a penalty in the 43rd minute.

A neat one-two set Andrew Forster clear of the Hallam defence, only for him to be shoved to

the floor before the ball could drop into shooting territory. Webb waved the appeal away, despite what looked like significant contact between Forster and the defender.

The second half started in troubling circumstances for Uni as a moment of lapsed concentration changed the game. Defender Jack Cripps lunged in with two feet and left the Hallam attacker in a heap, giving the referee no option but to produce a red card.

With a mountain to climb, Uni’s remaining 10 players struggled to cope with the inevitable Hallam pressure.

In the 50th minute a floating cross to the far post gave Hallam’s striker a free shot at goal from three yards out, but somehow he missed the ball.

Having to play on the counter attack left Uni frustrated and fatigued.

Andrew Forster collected a yellow card for his late challenge in the 63rd minute whilst struggling to collect a loose ball.

Uni found life in the 80th minute when a well delivered corner was beaten away by the Hallam keeper amid a sea of Uni attackers. The resulting play ended when Will Doyle sliced the ball wide with a speculative shot from outside the box.

Five minutes of added time meant a final surge from both teams, as Hallam nearly ran clear of the defence save for an excellently timed challenge from Sam Strong.

A late Hallam goal was ruled out for offside after a barrage of shots proved too much for the Uni keeper.

In the end, the one goal proved enough and Hallam took the crucial win.

Fans gather at Hillsborough ahead of the crucuial football matches on the last day of Varsity.

Single goal enough for seconds Men’s football 2s Uni Hallam

1 0

Matthew Smith Uni made it three out of three for the men at Norton before the showpiece event in the evening at Hillsborough.

Uni overcame Hallam in a tight encounter that was settled by one true moment of quality from Stephen Moules, and which was more accurately characterised by midfield scuffles and crowd ire.

Uni had the better openings in a barren first half, Moules meeting a long throw from captain Campbell with a flicked header that flew right across the face of goal 10 minutes in.

Hadjigeorgiou then almost played in Moules with a ball that was cleared behind.

The

resulting corner was met by Johnson’s head and was only kept out by a decent save from the Hallam keeper, who was then up like a cat to smother Moules’ drive from 18 yards.

For the majority of the remainder of the first half there were no chances except a few wasted corners, although Uni perhaps should have had a penalty when Okafor was cleared out in the box.

Campbell’s long throws continued to force defensive panic for Hallam. The ball came to Hadjigeorgiou at the end of the half, but his first volley was blocked, and the second skewed a mile off target.

Uni kept up the constant pressure after the interval, deep free kicks from the left twice finding Johnson in great positions. The first he headed over, the second he contrived to miss with a volley from six yards

out.

Hallam had barely been in the game up to this point, but with an hour gone they finally kicked into action. With Uni keeper Frank stranded, a crossed free kick was headed onto the roof of the net. The keeper was required to make a good two-handed save after a long ball was allowed to be controlled and volleyed.

As the competitiveness threatened to melt in the blazing heat, Moules got his goal, a stunning volley from the edge of the area which looped over the hapless Hallam custodian, and sent the watching Uni support into frenzy.

This sprang Hallam into action, and they were the better team for the final 10 minutes as Uni went down to ten men, with Khodabahksh off with cramp and all three subs used. But the boys in yellow deservedly held out, sparking another pitch invasion.

FORGE PRESS Thursday March 29 2012

core Day 8: Final s Uni: 32 Hallam: 31

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V15

VARSITY

m ref calls Uni beaten by five star Hallam Women’s football 1s

Uni Hallam

0 5

Gareth Burrell Hallam cruised to a convincing win over Uni at Hillsborough Stadium, with Emily Thomas stealing the show with an outrageous lob over the keeper in the first half.

Uni were on the back foot inside the opening minutes. Amy Turner, who plays for Leeds Ladies, was on hand to tap in, after keeper Kim Griffth’s had initially stopped a run into the box by Chloe Young.

However, the ball slipped out of the keeper’s grasp, leaving the easiest of chances for Hallam to take the lead.

This set the tone for the rest of the game, with

the pressure from Hallam unrelenting. Uni had a couple of half chances through Jess Kay and Catherine Chapell, the latter volleying just wide from their first corner.

However, they soon found themselves further behind when the class of Hallam started to show.

The pitch was bathed in sunlight at this point, and perhaps it was to blame for the second goal, which was the delightful chip from Emily Thomas.

From outside the box, with her left foot, she deceived the keeper and shocked the majority of people inside Hillsborough.

It sent Hallam fans into delirium and, more importantly, into a 2-0 lead, which the Uni team did not look like clawing back.

The misery was compounded just before half time with some very

poor defending from a corner by Uni. The ball was allowed to bounce all the way through the box, eventually finding Turner again to calmly finish at the back post.

The hopes of those who thought the game was not over at half time were dashed within five minutes of the second half.

Emma Johnson, another Leeds player, finished with aplomb from the edge of the box. The shot was quite weak and Uni will not have been happy conceding the goal so early in the second half.

Soon after, Amy Turner grabbed her hat-trick, this time from an unmarked header from yet another corner. As the ball dropped into the back of the net, the game was over and the match was now simply a case of damage limitation for Uni. However, the Uni

support was still vociferous, with the use of a vuvuzela, and they still willed on their team to get a goal for their efforts. Uni did have chances, including a penalty shout when Kay was brought down.

Sarah Bailey had a good game down the wing for Uni. However, a lack of service prevented her from making further contributions.

There was final excitement near the end when Shona Halpin headed bravely against the crossbar to prevent a sixth goal from Hallam, which should have been put in.

The pressure was relentless and the humid conditions began to take their toll as Hallam went close several times towards the end of the match.

However, Hallam hung on for a terrific victory at Hillsborough.

Photos: Nurul Liyana Yeo

Fourths score four Men’s football 4s Uni Hallam

4 0

Melanie Sisson Uni’s fourths comfortably beat Hallam 4-0 at Norton on the final day of Varsity.

Although the match began with a worrying goal-line clearance from Uni, and possession throughout the first half was evenly matched, Uni proved to have the upper hand, displaying better control overall.

Captain Tom Hesketh scored twice to put Uni in the lead. The opening to the second half proved just as strong, with Uni scoring two goals within minutes, courtesy of Sam Oates and Tam Kitgrave, to put Uni securely ahead.

Uni’s goalkeeper pulled off some good saves at crucial points, and midway through the second half Hallam hit the ball just

inches past the post.

However, compared to Uni, Hallam had few chances at goal.

Hallam’s goalkeeper also put in the work, saving the side from a potential 5 or 6 goal defeat.

A second yellow card for one Hallam forward left the team one man down for the last few minutes of the match, by which point the pace had slackened, signalling either fatigue or Uni simply playing the time out.

Whatever the reason, the tactic worked and Uni took the victory.

Captain Tom Hesketh said: “The match epitomised our season. It was the best game I’ve ever played in.

It was tough, but everyone put it in and boy, did it pay off.”

The stunning result set the wheels in motion for a dominant day for Uni at Norton, with the other teams taking motivation from such a big win.

Fans gather at Hillsborough ahead of the crucuial football matches on the last day of Varsity.

Photo: Nurul Liyana Yeo

Wedge-Bull and Shields are double trouble for Hallam Men’s football 3s Uni Hallam

4 0

Matthew Smith In boiling sunshine and in front of a vociferous, expansive crowd, Uni’s men’s thirds blew away their local rivals with a fine performance and victory.

Wedge-Bull and Shields both scored two goals each to ensure a result that few expected, but that all in black and gold celebrated with glee.

Uni did looked nervous in the opening stages, with strike partners Brown and Shields colliding while going for the same ball.

However, Uni deservedly took the lead on seven minutes.

Right-back Mesher picked up the ball in the Hallam box, and played an exquisite backheeled pass to Wedge-Bull, who in turn unselfishly squared to Shields. The striker had the time and space to control and smash home.

Five minutes later their lead was doubled, as Brown stretched well to centre a ball from the right; WedgeBull went in for a challenge with the keeper in the box, and came out on top, the ball spinning into the back of the net.

Uni were looking supremely confident now, with Parkin hitting

a sumptuous 35-yarder which beat the keeper and only just cleared the crossbar.

Uni almost made it 3-0 before half time, as Brown showed great industry to get the ball in from the left to the near post. Shield stooped three yards out to head against the post.

Soon after the lead was further increased, as Evans showed great skill and interplay with captain Cleary, who lofted the ball into the box. The ball landed right onto the head of Wedge-Bull, the smallest man on the pitch, who was unmarked and headed a simple goal.

If it wasn’t game over then, it definitely was two

minutes into the second half, when Cleary’s long throw fell to Brown, whose shot was saved by a nervous looking Hallam keeper. The rebound fell to Shields, who slashed it into the net off the far post for Uni’s fourth.

Hallam finally began to seriously trouble McGregor in the Uni goal, with the goalie fumbling a shot from 18 yards midway through the second period, and so had to make a top class reaction block on the follow up.

Hallam followed this with a succession of corners, but Uni never looked like losing this after such a blistering start to the match at Norton.

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FORGE PRESS Thursday March 29 2012

VARSITY

The lighter side

The bits of Varsity you didn’t see overheard AT VARSITY “If you’re wondering why Hallam are so good at the Poznan, it’s because they offer a degree in it.”

“Let’s get those gobshites!” [rumoured to be Hallam’s Rugby 3s team talk before their royal thrashing] “Why are they attacking each other with a big , black dildo?” [confusion at Aikido] “This Boxing’s good and all, but where are the tables, ladders, and chairs?”

“It looks like giant bananas fighting each other.” [on Canoe Polo] “Looks like number 37 is getting the finger from the ref, and not in a good way.”

“I’m surprised you can count to 11.”

[The referee at Women’s Rugby Union to a Hallam player after Uni went 12-0 up]

Photo of the week They say a picture says a thousand words.

This just says one: “Ouch”.

Uni’s red-helmeted warrior was left out of breath as his defense was penetrated by an unexpected, below-the-belt tally-whacker from a Hallam boxer in the middle of a hard-on bout of cock fighting on Saturday

evening.

As the round came to a climax and the bell ended the fighting, the Uni boxer was left flaccid. Even though Hallam would eventually win Varsity Boxing by a unanimous decision, Uni fans couldn’t help but feel shafted.

...and the real winners of Varsity 2012 are... ...ForgeSport, whose follower count on Twitter ballooned from 313 to 742 in just over a week. Unfortunately, @SHUlifeSport - our Hallam counterparts - still have a follower count languishing at 176. That’s half of how many we’ve accumulated in the past seven days alone.

With live updates of every event, regardless of our ‘academic commitments’, there’s little doubt whose coverage was better.

Hallam may have won the Varsity battle, but we won the Twitter war.

Best of @ForgeSport

Photo: Nurul Liyana Yeo