Students’ sports joy as Varsity Challenge is back
THE Welsh Varsity Challenge is back.
For the first time since 2019, the biggest sporting competition in the Welsh student calendar played out with thousands of students cheering on their respective teams.
After the gap forced by the coronavirus pandemic, it was Swansea University’s turn to host Cardiff this year in an exciting day of sporting action which saw the two universities battle it out over 36 different events.
At stake was the prestigious Varsity Shield – and university bragging rights for the next 12 months.
At the last event, in 2019, Cardiff saw off Swansea to retain their Welsh Varsity crown in the Welsh capital.
The hosts claimed the overall Varsity Shield and were presented with the trophy before going head to head for the Varsity Cup in the rugby finale.
The big match was shrouded in controversy even before kick-off, with
Swansea forced to effectively field a second-string side due to a clash with their fixture with Nottingham Trent in the play-offs for the BUCS Super League.
The sporting action yesterday centred on the Swansea.com stadium and the Swansea University sporting campus. There was a carnival atmosphere for the occasion, with cheerleaders and students decked out in green (Swansea) and red (Cardiff).
Cardiff took a commanding lead yesterday morning, winning six out of the first seven events. Wins in fresher rugby, kickboxing, squash and ultimate frisbee brought Swansea right back into contention, but a strong afternoon showing from the visitors put them 10-19 in front before the women’s rugby match, won by Cardiff 56-13. There was revenge for Swansea in the men’s rugby as they held off their rivals 20-13.