Our first proper Varsity since 2019 and it truly was a day to remember.
Sunday 27 March saw both our Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams face the University of Roehampton in the first fixtures of Varsity. The Men’s team were first up at RGS and it was a quick start from Roehampton scoring very quickly in the first half by half time if was 5-0 against our boys. The second half saw a similar performance and we ended the game with Roehampton winning 9-0.
The women’s team had a strong team out for Varsity and although their score lines haven’t been amazing this year, they made it as difficult as possible for the Roehampton ladies to get a goal. Special shout out to both Goal Keepers who made some brilliant saves. Overall Roehampton were to strong and whilst It was a great performance from our team, with a brilliant solo effort from Megan Thomas to score our only goal the game ended with a 3-1 loss for us.
A massive well done to both our hockey teams, and to all those from different clubs who stepped up to help out the two teams – football, netball, rugby, and swimming.
Roehampton were going into the main event with a 2-0 lead.
Then on Wednesday 30 March, it was all systems go as out clubs took up their positions ready to give their best performance in all their Varsity fixtures.
Swimming competed in an inter-club tournament due to Roehampton not being able to compete, along with Badminton who had a mixed friendly to start the day.
The football kicked off the competitive fixtures for the day, with our 4th team facing the Roehampton 2nd team and sadly losing 13-0. Then it was time for our 3rd team to take to the pitch and we faced our second loss of the day with a final score of 6-0. The pressure was on for both our 1st and 2nd teams as Roehampton lead Varsity 4-0.
Unfortunately, our football 2nd team couldn’t compete against Roehampton’s college team and we saw a great game with another loss to our boys of 3-1. The 1st team had a lot riding on them for their game and they absolutely pulled through for the club. Our 1st team put on a brilliant performance with an amazing goal from captain Jethro Odumosu leading to a 4 -0 win.
One of the highlights of the day came from the netball fixtures. The netball 2nd team outshone Roehampton with an incredible 61-10 win and the streak continued as our 1st team took to the court. Our 1st team had a closer game but still came out on top with a winning score of 54-33, with Summer Knight scoring most of the goals. Truly amazing performances from both teams and so much to celebrate as this is the first time since 2013 that both of our netball teams have won their Varsity fixtures.
Later in day we all headed back to campus to watch the men’s basketball game and it’s safe to say that they had one of their best performances this season, with an events hall full of spectators, the boys thrived off of the support. In the first quarter Roehampton were looking strong as they lead the game 25-23 but after a great half-time show from our BNU Dance Club, our boys fought back and walked away with a comfortable 78-50 win.
With another win in the bag, Roehampton were only leading Varsity 5-4.
The nail-biting fixtures came from the volleyball fixtures, if we won these two games we retained the trophy in a draw. The pressure was on and it’s safe to say we were all on the edge of our seats. Men’s volleyball got off to a flying start and without dropping one set they went on to win 3-0. With many spectators now moving off to the rugby in Marlow, everyone was on the edge of their seat, desperate for news from the women’s volleyball game.
With two fixtures left and the overall Varsity score being a 5-5 draw, it was all down to the evening games. Both teams out for the win and the pressure not relenting as the scores came through.
Rugby kicked off first and Roehampton scored the first try, shortly followed by a second try and conversion meaning they were in the lead, 12-0. Our boys didn’t give up and it was a physical game that saw the boys give everything they had out on the pitch.
Checking back in with the women’s volleyball team, saw them win their first set with a lot of back and forth in a much tougher fixture.
Back at the rugby and our boys were pushing through where they scored their first try of the match thanks to Toby Beamiss which they converted, with a brilliant kick from Varsity captain, Tim Cunningham. Which saw them narrow the gap to 12-7.
We did say this was a tense evening, awaiting to hear from either game on good news and neither competing team knowing that the pressure was mounting. Our women’s volleyball team stepped up to the pressure however, and won their second set of the match.
The rugby boys were still giving it their all until the very end and were camped out in the Roehampton 22 for the last 10minutes of the game. It ended 12-7 to Roehampton, and although a loss for the boys, it was easily one of their best performances all season and we’re so proud of the grit and determination demonstrated out on the pitch.
The last point of the day came down to the volleyball, and whilst we were in the lead, the girls didn’t know that it was all on them. Their win would mean that the trophy would be staying at Bucks with a strong team performance they kept it home with a final-winning 3 sets.
Although an overall draw of 6-6, as Bucks had won it at the last time of meeting it meant we would be keeping the coveted RoeBuck trophy on home turf for another year.
A fantastic day of competitive sports fixture enjoyed by so many and the celebrations weren’t over yet. At our awards ceremony, both Universities announced the ‘Players of the day’ and we saw the Natalie Tucker Shield go to the Bucks Netball 2nd team Goal Shooter, Alissa Mailes. Whilst the Sam Woods Shield went to Mark Antrobus from Roehampton’s Hockey and Rugby teams.
Well done to all those that competed in Varsity and thank you to all supporters throughout the day.