At present Loughborough sits just a few points above the University of Nottingham who are clawing their way closer to causing an upset on the potential 40th consecutive win for the students in African Violet - Every point matters at this stage.
The first result of the day was a second-place finish for Women’s Hockey 2’s who were pipped to the Trophy by Nottingham Trent 1’s in the dying few minutes of the match. Despite an inspiring performance, the match ended 2-1.
6 Loughborough Golds and 3 Silvers rounds off BUCS Big Wednesday
Loughborough students put in some valiant performances last Wednesday at the annual BUCS Big Wednesday, winning six golds and three silvers to add crucial BUCS points to the current table.
Later in the day, Women’s Hockey 1’s came out looking to defend their title from last year, and that they did! Facing Birmingham 1’s the clash of the two great hockey universities was entertaining for all to see. In an enthralling 3-2 end to end match, Loughborough were crowned champions once again.
Over on the courts, Badminton had three teams in action. The Men’s 2’s took the BUCS Trophy against Bath, holding their nerve right down to the final point. Whilst the Women’s 1’s just fell short of gold, conceding their match against the University of Nottingham through injury. In the afternoon session, Loughborough had a chance to make things even with the Men’s 1’s facing Nottingham 1’s. Loughborough started off well and maintained their season long dominance eventually taking the Gold.
At Basford United Football Club, away from the central Nottingham University hub of sport, in their first final of seven years, Loughborough Women’s Football 1’s came agonisingly close to Gold. Eventually losing out 3-2 to Northumbria. In the first three minutes, the Loughborough keeper was taken off with a suspected concussion, with no named keeper on the team sheet first year student and outfield player Rhianna Meehan stepped up to save her team. After quickly going 2-0 down in the early phase of the first half, Meehan settled herself and performed some absolute heroic saves to keep her team in the game. Loughborough soon found their stride to draw even scoring two before the half time whistle. Unfortunately, Loughborough’s valiant history making side, fell short as Northumbria slotted home in the second half.
At tennis, the match between Men’s 1’s and Stirling was a gruelling fight that went to the death. A shoot out would eventually decide Loughborough as champions. Women’s 2’s had an easier fate dominating a 12-0 win against the University of Cambridge 2’s to take the Trophy. A double Gold for tennis concludes an incredible year for the programme having won the Chengdu Trophy back in November, receiving an all-expenses paid trip to the Australian Open and a host of success at the Midlands Conference Cup.
In the concluding match of the competition, Basketball Men’s 1’s secured their fourth consecutive Championship final title. Facing the University of East London, Loughborough started on the back foot falling six points behind in the first quarter. In the second quarter Loughborough closed the gap 42-44. It was all to play for in the third quarter as Loughborough pulled away with a six-point lead. The final ten minutes were crucial for the defending champions who managed to see off UEL’s late efforts to win 90-82.
The 4-peat rounds off a fantastic celebration of athletic endeavours by our Loughborough students at BUCS Big Wednesday.