BUCS Round Up: Week Three

Northumbria’s sparkling start to the season gathered pace this week with three quarters of the University’s BUCS teams picking up maximum points.

With the added incentive of victory against fierce rivals Loughborough across seven focus first team fixtures, the hosts sensed an opportunity to lay down an early marker.

And a delighted Kerry-Anne Hastings, newly installed as Northumbria’s Student Sport President, admitted things couldn’t have gone better in week three of the BUCS season.

“We faced Loughborough in seven Premier League matches and we were determined to send them home with as few points as possible,” she said.

“Confidence was high and we were keen to show what we could do under pressure.

“Five of those fixtures finished with Northumbria on top and another - the men’s first team basketball clash - was only decided by one point.

“It was an impressive series of results and gives everyone an early-season boost.”

In total 34 Northumbria teams went in search of vital BUCS points home and away across a range of sports.

And 25 of those teams claimed victories with only eight losses.

In the big battle of the day - Northumbria versus Loughborough - men’s Water Polo led the way with an emphatic 16-5 win against the weary East Midlanders.

Worse was to follow for Loughborough as their women’s first team footballers leaked six goals at Coach Lane - Bridget Galloway (2), Georgia Gibson (2), Jess Ellison and Faye Mullen doing the damage.

Men’s firsts football followed up with a convincing 2-0 victory thanks to cool strikes from Matt Laurie and harry Simpson.

And Northumbria’s women’s Rugby Union firsts upped the ante with a breathtaking 36-7 defeat of Loughborough - just a week after demolishing derby rivals Newcastle 65-0.

At Sport Central Chris Bunten’s women’s basketball firsts took apart their East Midlands rivals with a comprehensive 60-35 win. But their male counterparts went down 81-80 in the most nailbiting match of the day as Loughborough finally found some form - following up with a win in the first team netball clash.

The BUCS action continues tomorrow when Nottingham Trent visit Kingston Park (7pm ko) ahead of the latest round of BUCS Super Rugby fixtures.

Women’s Futsal takes centre stage at Sport Central on Saturday with round robin fixtures kicking off at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm.