Eating Turf #3

03 ISSUE

ALL THE SPORTS, ALL THE TIME

Surf and Turf: football, squash, volleyball and more

REGULARS

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REGULARS

ISSUE 3: 25 OCTOBER '13

CONTENTS matt Dawson:

foreigners must be winners

p14

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Match Reports

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Team Solent Volleyball Look to Retain their titles

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Le Tissier: England for english

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Easton shrugs off last-gasp setback

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Solent Badminton Snatch a draw

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Hockey and Basketball Lighten the Gloom

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sophie aims to regain bowling world crown

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redhawk aim for a touch of the cinema

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Foreigners must be winners to play for us - dawson

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Nerves to blame for solent tennis loss

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richie grounds the kestrels Design: Adam Storer/Adam Woodgate // EATING TURF

ROUND-UP

Match Bridgeman superb as Report basketball boys net top basketball

Grant Elliott Southampton Solent men’s basketball team thrashed the University of South Wales 106-80 to go joint top of the BUCS Western 1A division, Mark Bridgeman netting 31 points.

Solent are joint leaders with University of the West of England after both sides made the perfect start to the campaign, winning both their matches.

The south coast side dominated all four quarters and were leading 47-42 at half-time, a position of strength they never looked like relinquishing.

Coach Sylvain Donneaud praised his side’s performance, particularly what they achieved after the restart.

Donneaud said: “We had a really good third quarter after we had been up by five at half-time. We started very strongly after half-time and we controlled the game all the way through.”

Bridgeman was in superb form

while new boy Antonio Moffat notched up another 23 points.

Although the American and Bridgeman were the stars of the show in terms of points, Donneaud was quick to point out that it was a good team performance.

“It’s difficult for me to pick out one player from the team as they all played very well. The whole team did a good job. ‘’It was more of a team effort than a team of individual performers.”

The University of South Wales posed a threat at the beginning and the sides were almost evenly matched going into the break before Solent pulled ahead.

Donneaud revealed that he had to implement a new strategy to deal with the threat of the opposition.

“They had some good players and we had to play a special defence on a couple of players. ‘’We had to use box-and-one because they had a few players who were very effective when they were

driving to the hoop.”

The box-and-one strategy is used against teams with one dominant scoring threat. The idea is to shut that player down by forcing them to score against a dedicated man-toman defender.

But Solent had to use an unorthodox style of the box-andone system to ensure that they kept their lead.

Solent won the third quarter 3018, before winning the fourth 29-20 and Donneaud revealed his team were in his view successful both offensively and defensively.

“Defensively we were great and we made some good stops. But we were very fast at counter-attacks and I think that’s what won us the game.”

Next for Solent are games at home to the University of Exeter on 30 October, before their big match against joint top leaders, University of the West of England on 6 November. l

Match Weakened squash boys Report fail to plug Bath squash

Emma Webster Wins for Callum Greasley and Jack Burl failed to prevent Solent squash EATING TURF //

men’s team going down 3-2 to the University of Bath second team in the BUCS Western 2A League.

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Solent are second in the table after the narrow but not unexpected setback against a strong Bath side.

ROUND-UP Greasley admitted that his team had not travelled to Bath anticipating victory, but were left disappointed having come so close.

“We played well but, despite winning our first match, knew winning this one would be tricky,” Greasley explained.

The team captain also revealed that his men are going to struggle when it comes to away games this season.

“The thing about playing away

on Wednesdays is that some of our best players cannot get out of lectures to be able to join us on the road.

“The lads did well today but unfortunately our players ranked third, fourth, fifth and sixth could not be with us, which makes being completely competitive difficult.”

Greasley said that he expects the team to be able to win their home games as all his players would be available, giving him the best pool

of talent to choose from.

This means that the mid-table goal they set themselves at the start of the season will still be attainable despite an expected lack of results away from home.

Up next for the boys is a trip down to the west country to take on the University of Plymouth second team, although the team are optimistic they will be hoping not to drop too many points before their next home fixture. l

Match Taylor sees red in defeat Report for solent Women’s football

Ten-girl Team Solent almost pulled off a miraculous comeback as they went down 4-3 at home to Bournemouth University.

The visitors took the lead after 12 minutes before Solent equalised with a stunning strike from Emma Pinner.

Bournemouth took control in the second half after Solent’s full back Paula Taylor was sent off as she brought down Rosie Eden. Hannah Bennett converted the spot-kick and goals from Chloe Tape and Tiffany Skinner sealed a three-goal advantage for the away side with seven minutes remaining.

But two late goals from Naomi Greene and Pinner saw the side come back from 4-1 down to 4-3 in the dying minutes but their endeavours could not bring a point for the home side who stay second in Western 2A of the BUCS Womens Football League.

If the travelling side were hanging on at the end of the game it was the opposite for most of the match.

Bournemouth created width

throughout and were ahead early as a pinpoint cross from Tiffany Skinner found Michelle Robinson free at the back post to head in from six yards.

Pinner scored a delicious rasping drive from 20 yards that beat the Bournemouth keeper for pace as it found its way into the roof of the net.

Parity was restored going into half-time, with Bournemouth looking threatening Solent had defended well but their task of holding off the opposition was dealt a blow when, just three minutes into the second half, they went down to 10. Right back Paula Taylor gave away a penalty and was sent off for a desperate lunge on Skinner.

Taylor’s sacrifice of stopping a goal-scoring opportunity was wasted as the spot-kick was duly dispatched

by Hannah Bennett.

Solent thought they had scored in the 75th minute. A corner found the head of Chelsea Law who nodded home. But the referee controversially disallowed the goal after Greene was adjudged to have pushed her 5

opponent. Her frustration spilled over and she was booked for dissent three minutes later.

Solent’s pressure left them open to the counter-attack and Bournemouth capitalised seven minutes from time to spark a frantic finale. Skinner blocked a clearance and ran through to slot past Carina Dohle.

This looked certain to kill off the game but Solent kept pressing and pulled one back a minute later.

Maurico Engels beat the offside trap and although Kerry Guthrie saved the shot, she could do nothing about the rebound from Greene.

Pinner, who had bouts of cramp throughout the second half, set up a nervy final few minutes for the visitors with another sublime strike that again lobbed the keeper.

Solent can count themselves unlucky not to get a point from the game after a performance full of grit and determination and will hope for better when they travel to Exeter next week. l // EATING TURF

ROUND-UP

Match DERBY DAY DOMINATION Report

women’s hockey

Matt Tilbury and Calum Hill Solent Women’s Hockey stormed to a 3-0 victory at Southampton’s fourth team courtesy of a Lexi Gutschow goal and a brace by Eleisha Wightman.

Solent coach Chris Gittens was pleased with the result, but admits there is still room for improvement.

He said: “The performance was pretty good but there are still things for us to work on.

“It was a step up from last week and it’s nice to get the three points.”

The visitors started brightly, however it was the hosts that had the opening chance on four minutes when Claire Spasby shot wide after a good dribble.

Solent put pressure on the Southampton defence and it paid off on 14 minutes when Wightman capitalised on a loose ball in the box, and finished into the bottom right hand corner to give the visitors the lead.

Three minutes later Solent doubled their advantage when an excellent dribble by Gutschow from the right created space, and she coolly placed the ball under the onrushing keeper.

Southampton hit back and created chances, but Esme Cullen was thwarted by Kirsty Taheny on 28 minutes. She let fly from the edge of the box, and despite a deflection, Taheny got down well to

save low.

Solent then countered and almost added to their lead, however Wightman’s strike was blocked well on the stroke of half-time.

Solent started strongly in the second half as Becca FarndellThorne’s strong tackles kept the home side at bay.

Wightman scored a carbon copy of her first goal to increase the lead, giving Solent an unassailable advantage.

Taheny denied Southampton even a consolation goal with some fine diving saves as Solent recorded their first victory of the season putting last week’s opening-day defeat firmly behind them. l

KEEP GOING FOR OUR FEATURES SECTION

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FEATURES

Team Solent Volleyball Look To Retain Their Titles T

Solent’s all-conquering volleyball sides have been denied the chance to add the BUCS League title to their trophy cabinet.

Dan Church

he university men’s and women’s teams swept all before them last season to secure their respective Southampton and District Volleyball Association League and Cup doubles.

But Sport Solent have opted not to enter them in the British Universities and Colleges Sports League, fearing they would not have enough players.

Men’s captain Slawek Bruszkowski explained: “The problem is that the decision has to be made in May. And we didn’t know then whether we would have enough players to be able to enter the league as our club has both students and nonstudent players.

“Last season we didn’t have enough players to go for the BUCS games; this is why Sport Solent made the decision to not enter a team this year. But as many new students have come in, we are hoping to re-enter next year.

“Unfortunately it would be good if we could make this decision now. We would enter as we know we have enough players.”

Despite that disappointment, Bruszkowski is eagerly looking forward to the new campaign and is brimming with confidence.

The Polish star, who turns 30 on Saturday, has been impressed by his side’s confidence, charisma and commitment during their pre-season preparations.

And he is fully expecting his team to reflect that enthusiasm on court with a win from their opening day fixture against Roke Manor B at St Mary’s Sports Centre.

The 29-year-old said: “I’m sure we’ll be fine.

We’ve got a few new players that are really good, a few guys from Bulgaria. I’m sure we are going to win it.”

If last season is anything to go by, Team Solent won’t only be the clear favourites for tomorrow’s opening clash, but will be heavily tipped to 7

win the SADVA division after their astonishing achievements last term.

Solent racked up an incredible 14 wins from their 15 league outings last year, easily sweeping aside the competition to be crowned Southampton and District Volleyball Association League and Cup double champions.

Bruszkowski said: “It was very good. The team was brilliant; all the games were good and we were winning everything. And we’re hoping for the best this season as well.

“It was just wonderful, we had many new people and we all became friends, and we were a really good team on court.”

The civil servant also explained this season’s men’s squad has been strengthened by a couple of new arrivals from Bulgaria.

With only a handful of players leaving over the summer, the squad is looking strong for the new campaign.

And Bruszkowski and the rest of the Team Solent squad will be hoping to immediately stamp their authority on their local opponents, starting with an encouraging opening at home to Roke Manor B at St Mary’s Sports Centre on Friday evening (20:20pm). l

// EATING TURF

FEATURES

Le Tissier:

England for English!

Ben Cheveralls

“If you live in England for five years it doesn’t make you English”

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ormer Southampton midfielder Matt Le Tissier believes only home grown players should be eligible to play for England.

This follows a heated debate regarding players that have the option of choosing which nation to play for.

And Le Tissier, 45, whose Guernsey birthplace entitled him to play for any of the four home countries, believes the FA has to reconsider its residency rules.

The England international said: “For me the FA ruling is far too loose.

“If you were born in the country or your parents are born in the country then that’s the only way you should be able to play for that country.”

Current Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere also feels strongly about the matter.

He tweeted: “The only people who should play for England are English people.

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“If you live in England for five years it doesn’t make you English.”

The debate hit the headlines because Manchester United hot prospect Adnan Januzaj has the choice of five countries to play for.

The Belgium-born midfielder, son of Albanian-Kosovan parents, who is also eligible for Turkey and Serbia, could be given the green light to play for the Three Lions in 2018 under the current FIFA residency ruling.

But Le Tissier doesn’t feel the 18-year-old should represent the country.

He added: “I wouldn’t be in favour of it to be honest with you.

“As a fan of the national team, I would want to see players in that team who have the country at heart.”

When asked about England’s chances in Brazil next summer, Le Tissier almost dismissed their prospects of winning the competition.

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“I think this World Cup is a bit beyond us to win it, but if we got to the quarter-finals I would see that as a quite successful campaign,” he said.

“Historically European teams haven’t done particularly well and that’s going to make it a little bit more difficult, I think maybe for the European Championships in France 2016 we will be talking a little bit differently.”

The former Saints captain believes current St Mary’s striker Rickie Lambert will be called up for the squad to travel to South America.

“I think Rickie would have to be among the top English scorers in the Premier League this season and if he does that I think he has every chance of going.”

Le Tissier was speaking at the launch of former team-mate David Armstrong’s new biography at West Quay, Southampton. l

FEATURES

Easton shrugs off last-gasp setback Solent dig deep

By Theo George

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olent University rugby coach Sheridan Easton paid tribute to Winchester University captain Charlie Preston who had robbed his side of victory at the death with a brilliant try in an enthralling 36-36 draw at Test Park.

Easton said:’’ It was a good try at the end, a good individual try by their guys. I am not greatly surprised at the result.’’

Meanwhile jubilant Preston said: “The second half was good. We were a bit slow to start in the first-half.

“I thought once the boys started firing, especially in the last ten minutes, it was the best ten minutes of rugby I’ve seen the boys play.

“There was a lot of telling-off at half-time. We were a bit slow to start in the first half.

“We needed to work better in deep areas like getting off the line, but I think it all came together at the end and we forced the last two tries and got ourselves a decent result away.

“Our fitness showed in the last few minutes.”

“I think it’s a mindset thing. We need to switch on earlier and get going from the start.”

Solent coach Easton reflected on having to share the spoils after seeing his side let their lead slip in the final seconds.

The Solent boss said: “I don’t think the draw was a surprise Winchester are a good side. ‘’We should’ve tied the game but we let them come back into it. They put on a couple of good substitutions but I think we just

relaxed at the wrong times. ‘’A couple of times in the first-half we fell off some tackles.

“We tried to play our whole bench and bring our freshers on to give them a game. ‘’ That’s always a gamble when we could’ve put some of the bigger, heavier guard on but it’s always touch and go. We made the substitutions because the guys probably weren’t fit enough.

“In the end it was probably a fair result because Winchester got their heads up and went at it.”

“A couple of individuals did well, overall it didn’t go to plan because we didn’t quite play to structure, certain rucking started off quite well, but they just fell off the rucking in terms of fitness in the second half.”

Easton went on to say: “We need to improve our fitness and tackling I’d say, at this level. A lot of lads have come up as fresher’s. I’m trying to blood a load of them as subs in particular, and they’re not perhaps used to that intensity I think.”

Disappointed Solent winger Will West echoed his coach but instead cited different reasons for their second half decline.

The number 14 said: “The first half we were really up for it and went out all guns blazing.”

“We managed to score within the first couple of minutes of the match and probably should’ve had another score early on as well. They didn’t start as well as they were hoping, which was good for us.”

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“In the second half a lot of people were starting to tire, we didn’t really want it. There were a lot of gaps in the defence because people were going down injured.”

“We took our foot off the pedal; I think we got ahead of ourselves.

We already thought the game was won and we had enough points in the bag to maybe hold them off, but it wasn’t the case and they managed to score with last attack of the game.”

“We had a lot more possession in the first half compared to them. In the second half it was all them, like I said, they wanted it more.”

“I don’t think it came down to fitness, I just think the drive was more with them. We got ahead of ourselves.”

West added: “I think the coach was a bit wrong in making a load of substitutes, because he changed a lot of players around.”

“I’m pretty disappointed really, everyone in the changing room was a bit down, you don’t want to lose out on a victory like that when we should have blown them away.”

“It’s slightly demoralising, we should’ve absolutely stuffed them, which was the plan in training on Monday.”

“Then it just didn’t seem to come together in the second half, I don’t think that was down to ability, just that the desire wasn’t there.”

In the wake of conceding a last minute try, Southampton Solent have dropped one place to 6th in the league table, while Winchester remain 4th. l // EATING TURF

FEATURES

Solent Badminton Snatch A Draw In Their Top Of The Table Clash Team Solent Badminton captain Phil Turrell admitted his team lacked focus after they surrendered a 2-0 lead in a 4-4 draw at league leaders Swansea University Men’s Second.

Dan Church

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he 21-year-old was still pleased with the final result in their top-of-the-table clash in the BUCS Western 3A Division tie in Wales, but conceded his side should have made it two wins out of two so far this season.

Turrell moaned: “We need more focus and a stronger start to our game, with intensity from the very first point, not when you’re 7-2 down.

“There was a little bit of discipline missing in the doubles pairing, with some silly errors creeping in. But there are only a few here and there.

“It was a good result as they were a strong team, but it could have gone either way. So, I’m happy with a draw and it looks promising as we could have easily won the game.

“I’m happy with the performance. There are still areas to improve, but it was a good second game of the season.”

Solent gained the upper hand early on with singles duo Turrell and Luke Farrell both winning their respective opening matches. Captain Turrell defeated Swansea’s Matt Dale 21-11 21-10, shortly after Farrell had broken the deadlock for the away side with a 14-21 21-19 21-16 victory over Henry Bohun.

But the Welsh outfit soon fought back and made matters square once again as doubles pairings Scott Trevatt and Craig Chalmers, plus Josh Tunstall and Liam Bellingham lost their first fixtures. Trevatt and Chalmers went down 21-7 21-14 to the home side’s Adam Barrell and Steve Spykikis, whilst Tunstall and Bellingham suffered a similar fate to Swansea’s Oli Knibbs and Gioy Cornelius after a narrow 21-16 21-19 loss.

Turrell and Farrell came back on court, with the skipper easily sweeping past Bohun 21-11 21-10 to recapture the lead for Solent; but the match

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was still in the balance after the sixth tie as Farrell tasted defeat to the hands of Swansea’s Dale after going down 14-21 21-12 21-14 to make it three apiece.

And the two University teams couldn’t be separated once again in the final two rounds at Sketty Lane. Doubles duo Tunstall and Bellingham edged past the hosts’ Barrell and Spykikis 2115 21-23 21-16, before Trevatt and Chalmers failed to snatch a crucial victory in Wales after losing 21-11 21-18 to Knibbs and Cornelius in the deciding match.

Despite a disappointing end to what could prove to be a pivotal match, Solent remain second in the standings, with only points difference stopping them claiming top-spot from Swansea.

After sealing wins in both of his fixtures, third-year student Turrell was delighted with his own display: “I am personally very happy with today. Their singles players weren’t exactly world-class, but were still tough, awkward players to play against. And I did well to play the right game against them.

“They were a tough team. And with their second’s and third’s in the same league this year, they’re going to be a tough team this season.”

Turrell’s men now host University of the West of England (UWE) Men’s Third next Wednesday at East Park Terrace Sports Hall (14:00pm). l

“We need more focus and a stronger start to our game, with intensity from the very first point”

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FEATURES

Hockey and basketball teams lighten the gloom As the second round of fixtures for the Team Solent’s sporting sides took place, it was a day to forget for most.

Ryan Hodge

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omen’s hockey and men’s basketball were the only two teams sporting Team Solent colours to have emerged as victors on a disappointing day in nine different BUCS university fixtures.

The basketball boys were the sole male Solent victors, winning away from home for the second time in two weeks ina defeating the University of South Wales 106-80.

The win means that they jointly top the Western 1A division and are one of only two sides in the table to have a 100 per cent record.

The other winners were the women’s hockey team who had plenty to celebrate after defeating local rivals, University of Southampton 3-0.

This was the team’s first victory of the season after losing 1-0 to the University of the West of England the previous week.

There were three matches played at Test Park with both the men’s and women’s football teams in action, along with the men’s rugby outfit.

Both football teams were hosting sides from Bournemouth but the two results were anything but similar.

The men’s XI were hammered 4-0

by Bournemouth’s second team, whereas the women ultimately lost a thrilling contest 4-3.

The loss for the men means that they are one of five in a six-team division on three points, sitting third on goal difference.

The women are now placed second behind Bournemouth.

Despite not winning their match,

the men’s rugby side still picked up a point thanks to their second draw of the season.

After drawing their opening fixture against the Royal Agriculture University, Solent drew 36-36 with local rivals Winchester.

The second successive draw leaves the side sixth in the eight-team Western 3A division on two points, seven behind leaders the University of St. Mark and St. John.

The only other Solent team to avoid defeat this week were the men’s badminton side.

In their first away fixture of the season, they drew 4-4 with Swansea and now sit second in the Western 3A table behind their opponents, thanks to an inferior game difference.

The women’s basketball team lost their first fixture of the campaign against London South Bank University 47-40 in the capital.

They now sit third in the Premier South division on three points along with three other sides.

The netball team also lost their first match of the season, again away from Southampton.

They were defeated by the University of Exeter 43-36, but thanks to their opening fixture victory last week, are still third with three points.

The tennis team contrived the worst result of the day, going down to the University of Exeter 12-0 in Devon.

The whitewash leaves them bottom of the Western 2A division without a win in two. l 11

the women’s hockey team who had plenty to celebrate after defeating local rivals, University of Southampton 3-0

// EATING TURF

FEATURES

Sophie aims to regain bowling world crown Chris Ashby

B

owls is a sport stereotyped as being played by an older, sedate generation but Solent University has their very own world star and she is only 20.

Sophie Rabey, who studies photography, was the 2011 World Pairs Bowls champion and is once again looking to face another huge challenge.

Glasgow is the scene of the next World Championship from December 2-5 and Rabey is looking to regain her crown after losing it last year.

Now in her final year at university, Sophie is having to juggle her studies with performing at the top of her game in order to take part in a high level of competition.

Having entered Solent as a world champion, Rabey relinquished her crown last year but has her sights set on regaining it this December.

Rabey explained: “Last year I had hoped to defend my title but sadly we lost. That wasn’t due to having a different partner. It was due to the competition raising their game.

“It was unfortunate, but the aim is to regain the title.”

This year at the World Championships, the Solent student is also set to compete in the singles.

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A stint on the other side of world competing on her own earlier in the year has seen Rabey raise her game and her profile in recent months.

“I have been practising my singles game a lot,” Sophie explained. “Playing in Australia earlier in the year really helped me focus and build confidence.

“Even if I lost some games I was able to deal with it and grow as a player. ‘’The good thing about singles is that there is no one else to rely on, meaning it is all up to me, which sometimes is a good thing.

“I am looking forward to it and I 12

am confident.”

Alongside her World Championship ambitions, the former champion was also in the reckoning to compete at the Commonwealth Games next year.

A lack of international points however has put paid to those aspirations. l

FEATURES

redhawks aim for a touch of the cinema Eating Turf spoke to wide receiver Alex about his hopes for the season and where did his interest of American football come from.

A

lex Mann feels like a movie star after signing up for Solent Redhawks.

American Football is now becoming firmly established at many Universities across England and Mann is thrilled to be part of the drama.

The wide receiver said: “As sad as it sounds, I love the pageantry of the game and how cinematic it’s made to look.

“Every game feels like a film, alongside there is a great family atmosphere and everyone fit the stereotypes (the quarterback chasing the cheerleader for one).

“I pretty much spend all my time at uni with the people on the team, we eat, train, work out and drink together.

“There is no other sport which I have been on what offers what American football does.”

The booming popularity of the game on this side of the Atlantic has attracted a host of new recruits for Solent and Mann is confident they will quickly make an impact.

He added: “We have had a great response from rookies who are interested in the game and want to get involved.

“We’ve had about 40 rookies at each training session and quite a few look like they could push for a starting spot this year.

“So I look forward to seeing how they develop through into the team.”

As one of the more experienced members of the squad, Mann knows there is pressure on him to perform following the loss of running back Tom Borsay who has just graduated.

Mann added: “Players just seemed to bounce off him trying to take him down.

“With his power and aggression which will be missed on offence this year.

“The wide receiver has to be able to offer an option for the quarterback to enable us to get up the field.

“I also have to support the defence when we come under pressure.” l 13

“Every game feels like a film, alongside there is a great family atmosphere and everyone fits the stereotypes”

// EATING TURF

FEATURES

foreigners must be winners to play for us, says dawson Former England Rugby International is not bothered where they come from, as long as they want to win for their adopted country

By Chris Woods

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att Dawson believes foreigners should be allowed to play for England – provided they are fully committed.

The former Rugby World Cup winner does not care who represents his country as long as they are winners.

Dawson played alongside South Africans Mike Catt and Stuart Abbott in England’s World Cup winning squad back in 2003.

And he would be quite happy to welcome more overseas-born players if it brought success on the field.

He said: “I was very proud to play with the players that I did from wherever they were from because ultimately they wanted to play for that shirt and wanted to be successful for that shirt and I think that’s probably the number one criteria.”

Dawson also reiterated that eligibility depended on different people adding: “It’s an impossible question to ask because it’s a very individual feeling.

“None of us set the rules in place as to how you become eligible for England. I’m born in England, my parents are English, I’m English and want to play for England.

“But if I’d moved to Australia and started playing Rugby in Australia then I might well want to play for Australia.

“But I’m still born in England and my parents are English so

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circumstance somewhat dictates.”

The TV panellist has added fuel to the fire sparked by Arsenal and England footballer Jack Wilshere who believes only English players should be allowed to play for Roy Hodgson’s side.

Wilshere initially brought up the issue following the emergence of Manchester United star Adnan Januzaj.

The midfielder is eligible to play for Belgium and Albania but under

Matt Dawson

current rules he could also play for England once he has lived here for five years.

Wilshere though believes that foreign players should not be allowed to represent England and that has sparked a heated debate.

England’s South African-born cricketer Kevin Pietersen has highlighted a number of ‘foreign’ sports stars who have achieved great successes representing the Home Nations.

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England’s Rugby Union team for the autumn test matches contained three foreign players along with a

“None of us set the rules in place as to how you become eligible for England.” number of the players born abroad but moving to England as young children.

Of England’s football team that recently qualified for the World Cup only Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling was born overseas, moving to England from Jamaica aged five.

And England’s Ashes winning team of the summer had three South African born players with only Matt Prior moving to England at a schooling age.

The 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic double by Great Britain’s Somalianborn runner Mo Farah was regarded by many British sports fans as one of the most iconic moments of the London games.

Overall, foreign nationals have represented the Home Nations and brought a lot of success to the country on an international stage.

Matt Dawson was speaking at the Sodexo Salon Culinaire at Ascot Racecourse. Matt is an ambassador for Sodexo. l

FEATURES

Nerves to blame for Solent tennis Loss

Solent men’s tennis captain Yiannis Fleming admitted nerves got the better of many of his players as they went down 8-4 to Winchester in their opening fixture.

David Sillifant

D

Team Solent

efeat in both doubles rubbers gave the hosts a mountain to climb and despite brilliant comeback victories for Cypriot Odysseas Odysseos and Michael Davis in the singles, the visitors left with the points.

Fleming is the only surviving member of last year’s team, and with the left-hander still not match fit following an arm injury, he gave a debut to seven new players, many of whom had never played competitively before.

And despite the outcome the 20-year-old was pleased with what he saw.

He said: “Overall I thought we played really well bearing in mind for a lot of the players it was their first competitive match in a long time and the team also impressed me as they worked hard and encouraged each other.”

The doubles proved to be the undoing of Solent as Odysseos and Sean Kettle were easily beaten 6-2 6-1 by Winchester’s number one and two pairing Sam Cooper and George Kennedy. And although Guy Ashby and Dominic Dietrich just lost out to Adam Brewer and Tim Hale 6-4 7-6 they found themselves 4-0 down before the singles started.

Fleming admitted some of the players froze under pressure but backed them to improve over the coming weeks.

He said: “Some of the players were definitely nervous but I also 15

think it was down to team chemistry, these guys haven’t played together before and as the league progresses I’m confident that they will get better and better.”

The singles matches proved to be a much closer affair as Odysseos and Davis came back from a set down to win Championship tie-breaks.

Odysseos beat the defensively excellent Cooper 5-7 6-2 10-8 while the hard-hitting Davis came back to hammer Kennedy 3-6 6-0 10-2 and the Kent man was impressed.

He continued: “Odysseas and Mike played very well and it was inspiring to everyone on the team to see them stay strong and come back from a one-set deficit.”

And although the contest was over at the conclusion of the marathon Odysseos v Cooper match following straight set defeats for Daniel Kelly and Andreas Fotiadis, Fleming is confident of beating Winchester in the return fixture.

He added: “I think Winchester are a good side but I do believe with more experience in the team and some more practice, we will be able to beat them next time.”

Fleming has revealed he is going to return next week as he takes his side down to Devon to take on early pacesetters Exeter thirds and he’s remaining coy on their prospects of registering their first win.

He concluded: “Exeter are a good side and the whole team will try their best to bring home the victory for Solent.” l // EATING TURF

FEATURES

RICHIE IS THE MAIN MANN AS SOLENT GROUND THE KESTRELS Luke Weston

Solent’s Basketball Team

T

eam Solent’s Richie Mann’s three-pointer in the last second of a thrilling match gave his side their first victory of the season, 73-72 over basketball tabletoppers Solent Kestrels.

After leading for the majority of a closely-fought encounter, Solent went behind in the last part of the fourth quarter and appeared to be in trouble.

But Mann found himself in the perfect position at the death and kept his nerve to shoot the winning basket.

In a game where top met bottom, Solent knew they needed to be at their best in order to put an end to a winless start to the campaign.

In front of a big crowd at St. Marys, it was the Kestrels who edged the first quarter 26-22.

During the second quarter momentum seemed to swing towards Team Solent as American

EATING TURF //

Antonio Moffitt and Kaye Lawal both scored four points to help win the period 19-12 to go 41-38 up.

It was a tighter affair in the third quarter as both teams missed a few efforts but it was Solent who kept the advantage.

Captain Will Zoppellini lead from the front with seven points as the Suns managed to stay two ahead going into the last quarter.

The last quarter showed just how much a basketball game can change within a few minutes.

Team Solent stretched their lead to 11 points at one stage with Zoppellini, Lawal and Owen Teesdale all scoring baskets.

It was then that Kestrels showed that never-say-die attitude, clawing their way back into the game.

The quarter went from Solent being in complete control to the Kestrels regaining a lead they hadn’t held since the opening period and 16

looked set to snatch victory.

With the clock running down and Solent now trailing 70-72, possession was regained with less than 20 seconds to go.

As the Kestrels fought desperately to stay ahead, Mann found space and under huge pressure and with 1.8 seconds left on the clock, he shot a three-point basket to the delight of the home support.

After being ahead for such a large proportion of the game before falling behind with only minutes to go, Solent had scraped to home by the narrowest of margins.

Solent are hoping the first sensational win will kick-start a successful campaign.

Their next league fixture is against Cardiff Met Archers on Saturday November 2. Tip-off is 7.30pm at St. Mary’s. l