Men’s Rugby are just three wins away from securing consecutive British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) cup titles after reaching the quarter-finals of the Midlands Conference Cup.
De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) Men’s Rugby First XV were one of only three #TeamDMU sides to win on Wednesday afternoon, as the majority made early cup exits.
Last year's cup-winning Rugby First XV
The side will be joined by Women’s Football First and Women’s Squash First Team in the next round after they too picked up impressive wins in the last 16 of their BUCS cup competitions.
Men’s Fencing First Team, Women’s Fencing First Team both received ‘byes’ so will also compete in the BUCS quarter-finals, while Men’s Squash First Team and Men’s Rugby Third Team will have to await their fate after their fixtures were rearranged.
RUGBY
After cup success last year, Men’s Rugby First XV remain firmly in the hunt for a consecutive cup victory after a narrow 10-9 win over Harper Adams University 1st.
Chairman Guy Bill said: “The performance yesterday was extremely hard fought.
“Declan Bassett was a standout player for us bossing the back line and making numerous breaks.
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“Alex Parker scored a try after we eventually broke their goal line defence to take the lead.
“It was a fantastic game and it was great to watch. We’re looking forward to the next round.”
Victory sets them up for a tasty tie against Northampton 1st, the side they beat in the Midlands Conference Plate Final in March last year.
The Men’s Second XV will not be joining them in the next round after a crushing 34-5 defeat to Birmingham City University 1st.
However, Men’s Third XV could still make the quarter-finals of the Midlands Conference Plate, when they play their rearrange fixture against Nottingham Trent University 5th on Wednesday 24 January 2018.
SQUASH
Women’s Squash are through to the next round after a comprehensive 3-1 win against the University of Lincoln 1st.
Cara Chesters kicked things off with a straight set victory, followed by Ellie Hewitt, who won her fixture 3-1 to give #TeamDMU a 2-0 lead.
Laura Medley battled her opponent all the way, despite a 3-1 defeat leaving it to Vice-Chancellors Sports Scholar Charlotte Fish to decide the match.
It never looked in doubt, as Charlotte pushed aside her opponent with ease, taking a straight set win and securing her sides place in the next round.
Charlotte said: “It’s great to how much our hard work has paid off this year.
“The girls have really turned a corner in terms of their ability.
“We’ve had a few really tough fixtures against teams with much more playing experience than us.
“We’ve shown this week that if you get your fitness correct at strength and condition, then combine that with our fantastic coaching schedule, you can be successful not matter what your sporting background.”
FOOTBALL
Women’s Football First Team travelled away to Oxford University on Wednesday afternoon with hopes of building on their recent league performances.
Things didn’t quote go to plan as they went in 1-0 down at half-time.
However, they came out for the second half all guns blazing, score two goals in five minutes to take a 2-1 lead.
A goal deep into the second half secured their place in the next round with a 3-1 victory.
It was a disappointing day for Men’s Football. The First Team were minutes away from extra-time against the University of Warwick 4th, before an own goal deep into injury-time saw them defeated 2-1 and out of the cup for another year.
It was a difficult day for the Fourth Team too, who were leading 5-4 going into the injury time against Newman University 2nd. A late goal took the game to extra-time and their opposition went on to clinch a 7-5 victory.
THE RUN-DOWN
Women’s Badminton 1st 2-6 University of Warwick 2nd
Women’s Basketball 1st 32-47 University of Birmingham 2nd
Men’s Futsal 2nd 4-15 Birmingham City University 1st
Mixed Golf 1st 1-5 Nottingham Trent University
Men’s Hockey 1st 2-3 Harper Adams University College 1st
Women’s Lacrosse 1-23 University of Leicester 1st
Netball 23-60 University of Lincoln 2nd
Women’s Rugby 14-41 Coventry University 1st
Women’s Tennis 2-4 University of Cambridge 2nd
Men’s Volleyball 0-3 Cranfield University 1st
Women’s Volleyball 0-3 Cranfield University 1st
Posted on Friday 24 November 2017