High five for Northumbria after Cup is retained
RECORD-BREAKING WIN OVER NEIGHBOURS ENSURES STAN CALVERT TROPHY REMAINS AT SPORT CENTRAL
NORTHUMBRIA University Director of Sport Colin Stromsoy praised the ‘incredible’ passion and professionalism of students and staff following a fifth successive Stan Calvert Cup success.
The holders claimed a record-breaking 80-22 win against fierce rivals Newcastle University.
Northumbria celebrated the 25th anniversary of the famous competition in style with a stroll to victory on the final Sunday.
Stromsoy said: “I am elated – absolutely elated.
“First of all credit to Newcastle. We won by a record margin and were dominant but there were some stand-out Newcastle performances along the way.
“Their M1 basketball team was outstanding - it upset the form book, really came at us and deserved to win.
“There were other fixtures across the whole event in which Newcastle did really well.
“Even in some of the games where we did emerge victorious, Newcastle gave us a run for our money.
“However, this week has been all about Northumbria.
“The journey Northumbria Sport has been on since losing six Stan Calvert Cups in a row to now having won five on the bounce is incredible. That success is down to focusing on everything that we can do - and doing it to the best of our ability.
“We make sure every aspect of the support we offer to our teams is better than anywhere else.
“In simple terms, it is about being the best we can possibly be.
“The players and staff have embraced the challenge and the result is what you have seen this week.
“This year’s victory was all about our endeavour, our quality, our determination
and our professionalism – all of which drives our culture.”
If Northumbria’s victory was stunning in its execution and ruthlessness then it remains to be seen what the future holds for hapless Newcastle.
The 13-times winners were out of contention long before the final day’s action took centre stage.
In the earliest declaration of victory in the competition’s history, Northumbria were declared winners at 3.00 on the Sunday – when the university’s men’s firsts badminton team took the holders beyond the 52 points required to retain the cup.
Newcastle had looked down and out 24 hours earlier when both men’s rugby league sides conceded.
Northumbria’s defeat in the men’s firsts cricket clash handed their rivals two points - but even with a full Sunday programme to come it appeared too little, too late.
Northumbria captain Oli McGee said: “We felt a bit deflated after the defeat.
“We did not play our best and they played really good stuff – we are disappointed but they probably deserved to win.
“It is a harder loss to take given the circumstances with it being a Stan Calvert match.”
McGee was in the minority where losing Northumbria skippers were concerned and Sunday saw a procession of big wins – including a tennis whitewash at the Northumberland Club during a 12-hour marathon of gripping action at the net.
Northumbria University head coach Sean Damer said: “We always expect a tough fixture against Newcastle but I think the men’s seconds did great mentally to win in straight sets.
“We knew a bit about Newcastle from last year and they retained some of their players.
“I think their top player was not available which perhaps tipped the balance in our favour.
Despite playing at Newcastle University tennis’s training base, captain Sam Archer led the men’s first team to two more Stan Calvert points as he won both his doubles and singles matches.
Archer added: “Special mention must go to Sam, who has had a great year.
“He is unbeaten and qualified for BUCS individuals. It is great for him to sign off from his time with Northumbria on the back of such success.”
Northumbria’s women completed the whitewash five hours after the university had been declared overall winners – thanks to Amy Hoburn’s last-gasp arrival following county duty in Lincolnshire earlier in the day.
Northumbria’s women’s seconds football team defeated Newcastle 2-0 in a match cut short by 10 minutes following a serious injury to one of the home players.
Coach Jill Stacey said: “It was great to get a win and add points in the competition.
“There were some good performances and I was happy with the result.”
Two of the biggest wins of Stan Calvert 2018 came in the table tennis competition.
Newcastle showed their class to take the men’s firsts’ event before Northumbria roared back to take victory in the men’s seconds and women’s firsts.
Club captain and men’s seconds’ match winner Adam Hardiman said: “We were over the moon with the 11-6 win.
“I was so happy to sign off my three years at Northumbria with a Stan Calvert victory for the second team.”