Tough weekend for uni’s sports teams
IT was a testing day for many of Edge Hill University’s sports teams – but there were no problems for the men’s firsts’ badminton squad.
Skipper Kieran Waters’ players earned a whitewash success over Liverpool seconds that means its now 12 wins from 12.
Waters and Matthew Latham completed wins in their singles rubbers, before Blu Holgate and Isaak Dalglish teamed up to win their doubles matches in straight sets, a feat which was repeated by Sam Pierce and Bradley Smith.
It means the firsts now head the table by three points from Chester in Northern Tier 3 with two games left – and it’s Chester who are next up, with only a point needed to clinch the title.
The women’s firsts also boosted their hopes of retaining their place in Northern Tier 2 by claiming a 4-4 draw with Liverpool seconds.
There’s all to play for for the men’s firsts tennis squad, who beat Lancaster seconds 5-1. Captain Joe Wilkinson and Oliver Macneil won in singles and doubles, and Archie Dubbins also winning, teaming up with Alex Clare in doubles. The win leaves Edge Hill six points off leaders Keele firsts, but with games in hand on their rivals in Northern Tier 3.
Also victorious were the women’s firsts, 4-2 against Keele firsts in Northern Tier 3. Elise Bond and Eleanor Peet secured wins in singles and doubles, which leaves them two points off leaders Manchester seconds.
The men’s firsts hockey team shocked Northern Tier 2 leaders Manchester seconds 1-0 thanks to a second-half strike from Nick Fletcher. Danny Harding was man of the match in goal while James Aberley also impressed in defence.
Edge Hill rugby league firsts’ Trophy challenge is over after they were beaten 32-20 by Liverpool firsts, while the rugby union firsts edged out Northern Tier 4 strugglers Keele seconds 15-10.
It was a disappointing day in netball as all four teams went down to defeat. The firsts lost 37-27 to Chester firsts despite the efforts of Chloe Meade, while the seconds battled hard in their 58-53 at Salford firsts – the only side forced to travel in this round of fixtures. The thirds were unluckily edged out 38-36 by Chester thirds, with Beth Turnbull and Maddy Brooks instrumental in their comeback although the fourths could have no complaints losing 33-16 to Keele thirds.
Alas, it was also a tough day for the firsts’ basketball squads – the men went down 90-52 to Keele firsts, while the women faded after half-time in going down 60-32 against Lancaster firsts.