Sheffield University maintained a strong points advantage over Sheffield Hallam University going into the final two days of Varsity 2014, with the score currently sitting at 27.5-18.
After a dismal Friday afternoon at Hallam’s new Sports park, and an unsuccessful Sunday for Hallam despite a win in the athletics for the men’s side, Hallam were hoping for a big turnaround at the English Institute of Sport on Monday.
Wins for all four basketball sides, Hallam’s 1st and 3rd netball teams, the women’s badminton team and various other sides couldn’t prevent the University of Sheffield from maintaining a large advantage.
Tie of the day went to the men’s basketball men’s second’s team. After three three’s in a matter of minutes from Sheffield Hallam to claw their way back into the match in the last quarter the score was tied at 81-81 with 8 seconds on the clock. Alex Metcalfe then put up two points from a rebound with just two seconds remaining to ensure a point for Hallam in the tensest game of Varsity 2014 so far.
Taking after the game team captain James Rutter said “I can’t put it into words it’s just topped the end of our season our crowd was amazing”
“It was a close game throughout but we had the belief in the team throughout the match.”
“When they went to the free throw line at 81-80 I thought they were going to win it but Alex (Metcalfe) did us proud at the end getting the rebound.”
Further wins for the women’s first and second teams as well as a win for the men’s firsts’ basketball team gave Hallam a whitewash of wins in all basketball ties despite no points being awarded for the women’s second match.
In the volleyball the newly formed women’s volleyball team lost in straight sets to the University of Sheffield despite a spirited effort from the side, and unsurprisingly the newly crowned British University champions – the men’s volleyball team raced to a straight sets victory over Sheffield University, completing a season to remember.
It was honours even going into the final netball match of the day after two tense affairs between Hallam and Sheffield University’s 3rd and 2nd teams. Hallam edged out Uni in a thriller in the first team match, winning it 44-37.
In the other late kick-off Sheffield University beat Hallam 6-4 in the futsal. Hallam had to come from behind twice before Sheffield University scored twice to give the side a 4-2 lead early in the second half. Kwok then scored late on to give his side the victory.
In the badminton Sheffield Hallam’s womens side raced to victory romping the University of Sheffield 7-1, but it wasn’t as successful a day for the men’s teams who both lost.
Sheffield University maintained their good track record in the table tennis, despite a closely run matches in the men’s tie, eventually however the University of Sheffield came through winning 9-7.
And at Goodwin today Sheffield Hallam women’s ultimate Frisbee team battled hard to earn themselves a victory beating Sheffield University 5-4.
Tomorrow the focus turns to hockey, where Hallam will be hoping for maximum points to mount a challenge on the final day of varsity on Wednesday.
Matches begin at Abbeydale at 11AM with the women’s 2nd team in action.
Words by Rory Nicklin
Photos to follow
