Eating Turf #8 by SolentFashionMedia

08 ISSUE

ALL THE SPORTS, ALL THE TIME

Surf and Turf: Basketball, Rugby, Cheerleading and more

REGULARS

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REGULARS

ISSUE 8: 06 DECEMBER '13

CONTENTS Ravens bring cheer

p12

Match Reports

Lee Thrilled with Solent Win

Ambitious Ravens Bring Cheer to Solent

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ROUND-UP

Match Away day blues Report for Solent Samuel Wells Solent Men’s football took their winless streak to four matches with a 3-0 defeat to league leaders Bournemouth University first team. Defeat leaves Dominic Cunliffe’s team sixth in the BUCS Western 2A division, now six points adrift of their latest conquerors. On a cold and wet afternoon Solent failed to pose any real threat throughout and were restricted to few attempts. Goals either side of half-time from Carl Bradley and a solo effort from Luke Ingram meant Team Solent went home empty-handed. It was the home side who started the match brightest, a series of early efforts in the opening stages brought the best out of goalkeeper Nicoley Kirchev. The wind and the tempo went up a notch and with 10 minutes gone, Bournemouth were denied a penalty following a tangling of legs in the box. Amidst fervent protests from the players, Solent launched a counterattack. Jesse Waller-Lasson received the ball on the edge of the area but, after weaving past several players, fired straight at Bournemouth goalkeeper Connor Sidley-Adams. The first clear-cut chance of the game came in the 21st minute when Bradley volleyed over the bar with the goal at his mercy. But on the half-hour he opened the scoring. From an in swinging EATING TURF //

football

Solent versus Bournemouth

free-kick, Jack Lupton’s header hit the post and Bradley was on-hand to tap in the rebound. The striker then had a chance to double the team’s lead almost immediately but his attempt to round Kirchev was well anticipated and his bittersweet day continued. The match almost turned when a defensive mix-up saw WallerLasson prod the ball goalbound following an altercation between the Bournemouth goalkeeper and defender. Having watched the ball roll agonisingly past the post, halfhearted appeals for a penalty were swiftly dismissed. On the stroke of half-time however, Ingram doubled the homeside’s lead. The winger darted down the touchline and into the box, arrowing the ball with his left foot just inside the post. During a relatively quiet second 4

half, Solent did their best to get back into the game. Oluwatobi Aderunle threatened throughout the half and his low cross early on was diverted over the bar for a corner. Chances were few and far between and Cunliffe gradually made all three substitutes, switching to three at the back in an attempt to turn the game on its head. Striker Rafael Da Costa replaced defender Jamie Rose in one last roll of the dice but as gaps appeared at the back, Bournemouth capitalised. In the last minute, substitute Joe Powell crossed for Bradley whose close range header trickled into the net as it finished 3-0. Up next for Solent is an away trip to Winchester. With the sides locked on the same points and almost identical records, the game should be a scintillating watch from a neutral perspective. 

ROUND-UP

Match Stallions overhaul Report Suns at final hurdle

basketball

Image by Matt Tilbury

Calum Hill Solent Suns narrowly lost 77-83 in a tight affair against Northampton Stallions at St Mary’s Leisure Centre in the BUCS Cup after failing to hold on to their lead deep into the final quarter. Solent led 20-12 after a comfortable first quarter with some important two pointers by Nisiukas. With three minutes gone Davis watched his side draw out the Northampton defence as he threw a three-pointer from the left side. Again Solent showed dominance through the second quarter after a fast start, although Abraham Twumasi intercepted mid-court and finished with a rim-shaking slamdunk for Northampton. Solent’s Anas Mourgelas showed

good form with some nicely worked moves in centre court. With three minutes gone the Stallions raced into Solent’s defensive line only to see Mourgelas come out on top to race forward and finish with an exquisite three-pointer. By the third quarter Solent seemed to slow and the Stallions scored twice in eight seconds with two well-finished lay-ups by Oladimeji Adeyemo and Leon Henry to reduce the deficit to 47-34. After some confusion off court with the Stallions’ number two believing he was hit by a technical foul, the game began to heat up. The Stallions appeared rejuvenated as the points began to role in, their number nine executing a fine three-pointer from centre

Solent Suns on the court

court followed on by a two-pointer and one scored from free throw by Leome Francis. A time-out was called by Solent coach Sylvain Donneaud with four minutes gone, although the new tactics were in danger of being ruined when Mourgelas’s missed pass was intercepted by Isiyenga Gladi Bomolo who hit the ground but still managed to flip a sightless pass for Twumasi to nail his second slam dunk of the game. Despite the change around, Solent had chances to increase the lead with three minutes left of the third quarter but the chances were not taken. Alex Mann missed two free throws. Going into the fourth quarter Solent led 58-54 and managed to hold their own with some great teamwork to create two-pointers scored by Mann and Nisiukas. Only when the closely-contested match had reached two minutes 30 seconds of the final quarter did the Stallions lead for the first time when Henry slotted home a three-pointer from the left to make it 70-72 in their favour. Despite Solent’s efforts to retrieve their lead with two free throws converted by Aleksandravicius and a desperate attempt from Mann to put away a three-pointer with seconds left, the Stallions slowly turned the game on its head and took the match 77-83.  // EATING TURF

ROUND-UP

Match Solent get their Report noses in front

Women’s basketball

Adam Storer Solent recovered from a bloody start to ease past London South Bank University 63-48 in the women’s basketball BUCS Premier South division at St Mary’s Leisure Centre. Ashlee Trebilcock impressed on her return, top scoring for the home side, whilst Melanie Curson and Alison Nicholls chipped in to see Solent to a comfortable victory. But, it was the latter two that clashed early in the first quarter, leaving Nicholls side-lined for much of the opening 10 minutes with a nosebleed. The pair came together, attempting to defend their basket, and while their efforts prevented

South Bank from taking a 5-3 lead, it did have its consequences. The visitors tried to exploit Solent’s early injury problems as Tia Brown netted two three-pointers. Despite a tough start, Curson netted five baskets to help put Solent 21-10 up at the end of the first quarter. Whilst the captain only managed to add a further two points to her tally, Trebilcock and Nicholls both scored six points apiece to take the game away from South Bank. Yet, they resisted Solent’s onslaught of attacking talent, and produced some fine moments of their own. Brown was once again lethal from

the three-point line, whilst Alison Squires contributed to maintaining the 11-point deficit. But, it did not last long, as neat finishes from Solent’s Oksana Kononenko and Nicholls increasing the hosts’ lead at the end of the third quarter to 15 points. It was much of the same in the final 10 minutes, with Trebilcock once again leading the attack for Solent with 11 points to bring her tally to 28. South Bank remained a threat to the home side but their efforts proved in vain as Solent held on to win their last game of 2013 to stay in third place, heading into an early Christmas break. 

Match In-form Solent Report romp to victory

Women’s football

Adam Storer Solent women’s football side stormed to a convincing 7-0 victory at the University of Winchester. Hannah Mckenzie, Susie Werner and Tasha Kenny all got two goals each, with Emma Pinner also EATING TURF //

chipping in, to cement second place in the BUCS Western 2A League. The ladies raced to a 4-0 lead in the first half, with the coach giving high praise for their performance. “The girls did play some of the best football they’ve ever played in 6

the first half,” said Chris Wheeler. “Although the opposition were weak, I think we would have beaten a very good team yesterday.” More goals flowed in after the break to pile on the agony for bottom side Winchester, who are

ROUND-UP yet to register a point in their four games this season. “It was very easy, because they played so well. They worked hard and they played some very good football,” added Wheeler. This was Solent’s second game of the season against Winchester, having beaten them 4-1 at Test Park in October. However, they still remain five points behind the leaders going into the mid-season break. “Bournemouth will be the team to beat, we have got them first up after Christmas on January 22nd,”

said Wheeler. “We had a silly result down at Exeter, which was a draw, so we’ve got to make up five points. “But we are more than capable of winning the remaining games, if we play anywhere near our best.” The ladies team will also have their Western Conference Cup quarter-final to contend with in mid-February, after receiving byes in the two previous rounds. With the team just beginning to form a decent run, with two wins and a draw in their last three matches, the coach believes their

momentum will not be affected. “Most of the girls play together on a Sunday, in the Hampshire Women’s leagues, so they will be getting games between now and when we recommence,” said Wheeler. “Hopefully, we’ll try and get a friendly arranged for next Wednesday against a local Sixth Form College if we can. “Also we will be trying to do the same for the first two Wednesdays back in January, to organise games that are meaningful, so that we can get them all back together again.” 

Match Solent get their Report noses in front

Women’s basketball

Brown netted two three-pointers. Despite a tough start, Curson netted five baskets to help put Solent 21-10 up at the end of the first quarter.

Coach: CJ Lee

Whilst the captain only managed to add a further two points to her tally, Trebilcock and Nicholls both scored six points apiece to take the game away from South Bank. Yet, they resisted Solent’s 7

onslaught of attacking talent, and produced some fine moments of their own. Brown was once again lethal from the three-point line, whilst Alison Squires contributed to maintaining the 11-point deficit. But, it did not last long, as neat finishes from Solent’s Oksana Kononenko and Nicholls increasing the hosts’ lead at the end of the third quarter to 15 points. It was much of the same in the final 10 minutes, with Trebilcock once again leading the attack for Solent with 11 points to bring her tally to 28. South Bank remained a threat to the home side but their efforts proved in vain as Solent held on to win their last game of 2013 to stay in third place, heading into an early Christmas break.  // EATING TURF

ROUND-UP

Match Raging Bull caged as Report Solent ease to victory basketball

Daniel Jones Solent men’s basketball comfortably dispatched University of South Wales 93-55, in a match that saw USW Captain Zico Bull ejected after an angry spat with the referee. Bull, furious with an early decision given against him, consistently argued with the referee, giving the official little choice but to send him to the locker room in the third quarter. Despite the apparent thrashing by Solent, the game began as a tight affair. Solent’s Victor Wushe proved too hot to handle for USW all game and made his mark early on, powering through the defence to deliver numerous two point jump shots. Solent’s Richard Mann was full of confidence , attempting multiple three-pointers, and succeeding with a number of them. For the opposition, Hassan Hajjar made himself a handful, using his speed and dribbling skill to unlock Solent’s defence. The first quarter ended 16-12 to Solent, who had most of the possession, waiting patiently for opportunities to net. But their score was pegged back by some quick breaks by USW, led by Hajjar. Solent continued to steadily pull ahead in a very low scoring second quarter, with Wushe, Mann and Arhantas Hisinkas dealing the damage, and although they managed to restrict the away team to very few points, Solent coach Sylvain EATING TURF //

Donneaud was not happy. Calling a timeout, the Frenchman changed around his entire on-court squad, fuming at his players lack of movement in the final third. This seemed to work with Solent dominating the third quarter, as Oliver Monnin, Wushe and Mann took the game to the visitors, giving the home team a 69-44 lead going into the fourth. Donneaud’s anger lingered at the beginning of the third quarter though, as Bull won multiple free throws in quick succession, giving the away team easy points. Frustration at his side’s failure to make a comeback however, became too much for frustrated Bull. Feeling he was pushed, Bull let the referee know about it, and his continued aggression saw him take an early shower. 8

With a lack of leadership in the Welsh ranks, Solent began to run riot. Ibrahim Diare’s power and shielding of the ball led to him scoring and setting up a lot of points in the fourth and final quarter, as USW completely changed their team around. Carlton Giles did his best to fight back for the struggling visitors, but it was Solent who cruised to a 40 point victory despite not playing their best in the first half of the game. The result leaves the home side second in the BUCS Western 1A division, three points behind leaders University of West England. Solent now have a lengthy break until January 29 when they travel to University of Exeter and hope that by then their star men, Mark Bridgeman and Antonio Moffitt will have recovered from their injuries to face the South West side. 

ROUND-UP

Match Kaderi injury mars Report Redhawks heavy defeat basketball

Dominic Rust Solent Redhawks American footballer Honar Kaderi lay in agony for 70 minutes as ambulance staff struggled to get on to the Test Park pitch to take the stricken broken wrist-victim to hospital. Kaderi was given oxygen before the ambulance eventually arrived as Redhawks went down 42-12 to south coast rivals Portsmouth Destroyers. Portsmouth Destroyers were too good for Solent’s Redhawks and moved up to third in the BUCS American Football South League table. The home side dropped to sixth after suffering their second loss of the season. As the Redhawks ran onto the field the Solent Ravens cheerleaders led the welcome while the team got their tactical instructions from coach Martin Hume. As the game started with Solent kicking into Portsmouth’s half, Solent recovered the ball and advanced up the field to score the first touchdown through Dujon Gray. The home team’s attempt to score

the field goal was thwarted by the onrushing Portsmouth defence. After Solent had given their fans and cheerleaders hope of a derby victory, they were soon pegged back. Portsmouth’s strong running power was a game-changer, enabling the visitors to quickly get on level terms. But the home team battled hard in defence and the quarter ended level at 6-6. In the second quarter the visitors dominated Solent and broke down their strong defence. Solent received heavy pressure from the Portsmouth’s offense and managed to break through the opposition’s resistance, but could not break the Redhawks’ resistance. Kaderi tried to break through the opponent’s defence but was halted by a strong tackle in which he broke his wrist. The ambulance staff at Test Park was unable to move the Solent player and he was left breathing oxygen on the pitch. The referee decided to end the second quarter early. When eventually the paramedics arrived, Kaderi was taken off the field with his team-mates looking on.

The Solent Redhawks

When both teams showed their faces again almost an hour and a half later, the third quarter started slowly after having such a long break. Portsmouth started quickly and the visitors had a blistering ten minutes’ spell. Solent were caught cold and appeared unnerved and could not deal with it. Destroyers scored their second touchdown after the visitors’ passing sharpness drained the life and soul out of the disenchanted home side. Due to the injury, Solent did not get going in the second half and Portsmouth’s dominance was evident. They extended their lead further with Ryan Watkins and Hussein Kirefu creating panic in the Redhawks defence. By this stage, Portsmouth knew they had the game won while Solent’s resolve had gone. The loss of the defensive end was a big blow for Solent because the scores were level when the injury happened. Redhawks’ wide receiver Alex Mann said: “Honor has a broken wrist and has broken every bone. “He has got to have surgery, but he should be ok. “The delay for Honor’s injury was hard to deal with, but it was unfortunate. The long break killed our momentum and it was hard to focus after such a long break.” Solent will look to bounce back after this latest defeat when they face eighth placed Oxford Brookes.  // EATING TURF

ROUND-UP

Match Students get season Report back on track

Rugby

William West A Jack Smith double helped Solent men’s 1st XV rugby record a resounding 28-16 victory over title contenders Fordingbridge at Test Park to get their season back on track. Solent, running out in their new kit at home for the first time, were looking to make amends after a series of poor performances against Andover and Farnborough in successive weeks. The home side started the stronger, slick passing from the kickoff from backs Rob Walters and Tom Brind looked to have put winger Jack Scott in for a try, only for him to be bundled into touch metres out. Fordingbridge came back into the game after a burst into the Solent 22 but they were held up short thanks to strong defending from Sam Crabtree and Alex Tindall. Sheridan Easton’s decision to select a big Solent pack was justified throughout the opening half as forwards Jack Smith and George Scott made strong inroads into the

Solent’s Jack Smith EATING TURF //

Bridge defence. The New Forest side eventually succumbed to Solent’s forward pressure, allowing stand-in fly-half Walters to slot a penalty to make it 3-0. Fordingbridge hit straight back with a penalty of their own after a Solent infringement just outside of the 22, Mat Norton slotting his first of three first-half penalties to make it 3-3. Walters missed the opportunity to retake the lead after his penalty drifted wide of the right hand post, before Captain George Knight scored the game’s first try after a well worked driving maul took Solent over the line. Walters missed the conversion, trailing 9-8 at half-time. Solent started the second period well, applying immediate pressure down in Bridge’s 22. Strong work by the forwards pack gave Ash Saunter quick ball to deliver to Walters whose neat dummy opened a wide gap to score under the posts. Walters converted to retake the lead, 15-9. In a regular possession-changing second half, Solent once again found themselves defending in their own 22, repelling constant Bridge attacks, with strong tackling from Jack Caunt and Pete Toland. 10

The sin-binning of Ben Paige for not rolling away proved costly as Bridge restored their one-point lead after a try fro Dan Brown and conversion from Norton, making it 16-15. Bridge weren’t to score again and after Jack Smith barged his way over from close range in the corner, daylight between the sides was restored with the score at 20-16. And again it was Smith who grabbed his second and the last try of the game, a carbon copy of his first try to seal a certain win for the students. With more than a converted try needed to steal victory, Fordingbridge continued to push for victory, but strong tackling from Rich Munnery and Tom Brind kept the visitors at bay. Walters capped off an impressive performance with a perfectly executed drop goal on the final whistle to seal a dramatic 28-16 victory. Solent Captain George Knight said: “It was a great game to be part of and great to get our season back on track against a good Bridge side. The focus now is to keep putting in performances like this.” Player coach Tom Morton added: “Today was about the performance rather than the result after a couple of poor outings, but to come away with a bonus point win over a very strong side is the perfect way to respond." 

FEATURES

Lee thrilled with Solent win Solent women’s basketball coach CJ Lee was delighted with his side’s attacking prowess in their 63-48 win at home to London South Bank University. Robert Pitt

olent effectively had the match won by the end of the first quarter, racing a 21-10 lead and they kept the momentum going throughout. Lee said: “Playing our zone today we did a reasonably good job pressuring early and that got us into a rhythm, it created some easy baskets and then offensively, even though we were a little bit injured today we still made some really good looks. “Unfortunately, defensively we let them have a couple of uncontested shots early and that kept them in the game and then Ashlee [Trebilcock] got an intentional foul and that kept

“it’s forced some other players to step up”

the game very close for the first quarter.” Lee also praised Trebilcock, who had missed last week’s match because of academic commitments, and Osksana Kononenko. He added: “She’s [Trebilcock] a really big offensive force, she scored in the region of 30 points today, so every time a player like that is not in the team it makes a massive difference. “But it’s been good to play without her as well because it’s forced some other players to step up. Kononenko today was absolutely fantastic and she’s brand new but really coming into her own in the team.” Solent’s coach also applauded Alison Nicholls for playing on after an early collision with Captain Melanie Curson which left her with a bloody nose. He added: “No one likes getting a bump on the nose, she did a really good job, she cleaned herself up, she got back in the game and she was really important to our success today.”  // EATING TURF

FEATURES

Ambitious Ravens bring cheer to Solent Solent Ravens are gearing up for a new season of both game-day and competitive cheerleading, looking to follow on from their impressive performance last year. Daniel Jones

he up-and-coming sport of competitive cheerleading found its way to Southampton Solent University in 2010, and the squad has not looked back. Second year students Gabrielle Newson, Abbie MurrayJackman and Jemma Hill are confident that this year can bring even more success. The squad finished sixth in the International Cheerleading Coalition National Championships last year. Murray-Jackman and Hill are in the squad for the first time even though they second-year students, Murray-Jackman in the competition squad and Hill in the game-day squad. Nerves do not seem to be a problem for Murray-Jackman. Murray-Jackman said: “At the moment I’m not that nervous because I’ve been able to cope with whatever has been thrown at me. But I think by the time it comes to practicing for competitions, I’ll get a lot more nervous because I know it will become a lot more intense as the season progresses.” The Ravens team has two

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FEATURES aspects to it, a game-day squad and a competition squad. With its strong links to American Football, the game-day squad perform at the games of the Solent Redhawks. The competition squad competes against other squads. Hill is part of the game-day squad, but is in no way feeling

many more girls who have a dance background, so hopefully it’s looking good.” With high strength and flexibility combined with having to memorise routines and be in time with team- mates, cheerleading is a very tough sport and this is echoed in the training.

“I know it will become a lot more intense as the season progresses” any less pressure. She said: “We’re preparing new routines all the time. I think this is going to be the hardest bit, learning a new routing for each new game. ‘’It hasn’t been too hard so far, but I think I’ll be quite nervous when it comes to the first game.” Newson is in her second stint as a Raven, and can compare how this year’s team measures up to last. “Last year we had a lot of girls who were gymnasts, so things like tumbles were possibly better, but this year it seems like the squad are a lot more dedicated. ‘’A lot more of the team want to taste success. We also have

Newson said: “The competition squad train twice a week in hour and a half sessions. The training is not too bad at the moment but towards the competitions you do have to get fitter and stronger.’’ Cheerleading can be one of the most dangerous sports. Since 1980, hospital emergency visits for wounded cheerleaders in the United States have more than quintupled, from around 5000 to 26000 visits in 2007. For a small university like Solent, sixth place in Britain’s biggest national university competition was an impressive feat and one which the Ravens will be looking to improve this time around.  13

// EATING TURF