It’s three cheers for TN’s Big wins
UNIVERSITY SPORT
NORTHUMBRIA University bagged a hat-trick of BUCS Big Wednesday wins as the student sport season reached a thrilling climax in Nottingham.
Six Sport Central-based sides headed to the East Midlands looking to finish off the season in style.
There were victories for Northumbria’s men’s rugby league firsts and both the men’s and women’s volleyball firsts.
The women’s basketball firsts led with 18 seconds left - only to lose a nailbiting final against Durham.
Their male counterparts were beaten by Loughborough just hours after Northumbria’s women’s football firsts had gone down 2-0 against Durham.
A delighted Jason Payne could barely hide his joy after Northumbria’s rugby league heroes defended their 2017 title with a 14-4 victory against Leeds Beckett.
The winning coach said: “It was a good performance.
“I thought the way we played was really professional, especially because there was a lot of emotion in the occasion.
“To keep Leeds Beckett scoreless in the second half just shows how professional a performance it was and that is a credit to the players and how hard they work.”
David Goodchild led Northumbria’s volleyball teams into BUCS Big Wednesday predicting a win double.
The favourites fully justified their pre-final billing - both the men and women completing comprehensive wins.
Goodchild said: “I am delighted. When you walk out of two championship games with two straight-sets victories in the style we did you feel like all the hard work the players and the staff have put into training is justified.
“We have spent seven years creating this and when the going gets tough, like it did at times during the finals, the players know how to react.
“They know how to speak to each other – because we have spent so much time discussing exactly that.
“Those players know how to dig each other out of any holes and I am just so delighted for them.
“We trained 17 days on the bounce and we peaked at the right time – this is the pinnacle of university volleyball and we have come here and smashed it!”
Chris Bunten flew out to the Commonwealth Games with England without the BUCS Championship winners’ medal he craved.
However, Northumbria’s women’s basketball team had a chance to defeat Durham in the dying seconds following a stunning secondhalf comeback.
Skipper Ali Gorrell said: “We knew it was going to be a fight in the finals no matter what because Durham are a very good team.
“We made it tough on ourselves because we got down in a big hole at the start of the game.
“I think if we had played the first half the way we played the second it would have been a completely different game.
“Everyone is upset at losing a final like that. You can never feel good after a one-point loss.
“However, we are proud we fought back when we could have folded.
“It showed a lot of character for everyone to rally together and pull it back.”
Marc Steutel vented his frustration on the officials after Northumbria’s men lost their basketball final against fierce rivals Lougborough.
The East Midlanders won 97-79 but Northumbria’s playcaller insisted: “When we were given the opportunity to perform we did okay.
“The feeling is hurt and frustration. I am disappointed but proud of the way we battled.”
There was no shock win for Northumbria’s women’s football firsts as hot favourites Durham maintained their unbeaten record this season with a 2-0 victory.
However, it took until the 68th minute before Durham finally broke the deadlock against a battling TN.
TN coach Amber Whitley said: “It was a disappointing result but I am still very happy with how the girls performed.
“I think we stuck to our game plan really well and made it difficult for Durham to play – especially in the first half.
“Overall, though, I am really pleased with the effort and I am pleased with the season in general – even more so considering we have a really young team.”