Awesome foursome as Connor hits UCLAN
DESPITE a reduced fixture list, there were many talking points for Edge Hill’s University teams as the BUCS campaign nears its conclusion.
The men’s firsts’ hockey team outclassed UCLAN firsts 9-3 to keep their promotion hopes alive in Northern Tier 2.
A four-goal first-half haul from Connor Lloyd, plus a brace from skipper Matthew Stacey and one from Will Bookless gave the Greens a commanding lead at the break.
The visitors made the score a touch more respectable in the second half, although further home goals were added by Ross Gordon and Levi Racz. The result leaves Edge Hill five points off top spot with three matches left, but with games in hand on teams above them.
Such has been the dominance of the men’s badminton squad that the only shock in them completing the first half of a hoped-for double is that it has come this late in the campaign. They did it in style, too, securing the Northern Tier 3 title by defeating nearest challengers Chester firsts 6-2 - their 13th successive victory in all competitions.
The men’s rugby union firsts moved up to second after a hard-fought 12-7 victory at Manchester thirds in Northern Tier 4.
Alex Gaughan crossed five minutes before the break, converted by Harry Deveney, with Shaun Tipping’s breakaway try proving decisive in a card-riddled second 40. Manchester’s score came late on, with the Beavers then forced to hang on through seven minutes of added-on time.
The women’s firsts volleyball squad suffered an agonising semi-final defeat to Manchester seconds, going down 3-2 in the Northern Conference Cup. Twodown in sets (22-25, 17-25), the Greens came back strongly to win the third and fourth 25-17 and 28-26 respectively, before going down 15-13 in the decider.
There was better news for Edge Hill firsts football team though, who have maintained their Northern Tier 2 status after securing a 3-2 victory at rock-bottom Liverpool John Moores seconds.