The Men’s Badminton 1sts advanced to the second round of the BUCS Northern Conference cup after thrashing the University of Cumbria 1sts 8 – 0 at Foster Sports Centre on Wednesday.

UCLan never really looked in any trouble against a side who were ranked three leagues below the home side. However, in the previous week this same Cumbria side had beaten UCLan 2^nds 5 – 3 so the 1sts knew that revenge would be sweet.

Singles players Graham Hollingsworth and James Pickard had given the home side early confidence winning both their matches in straight games.

Pickard was playing for the first time this season and he looked like he had never been away, winning 21 – 15, 21 – 12 in his first match and bettering that result prevailing 21 – 12, 21 – 9 in his second. Hollingsworth was his normal, dominant self winning to 17 and 16 in his first and to 13 and 9 in his final match.

The doubles encounters were of a similar outcome. Adam Spence and Mike Hubbard beat the Cumbria second pairing 21 – 10, 21 – 12, whilst UCLan’s other pairing of Adam Rowan and Jamie Allen won 21 – 11, 21 – 12.

As the matches were reversed, both the UCLan pairings convincingly won in straight games. Spence and Hubbard won 21 – 14 in their first game and then gave the Cumbria pair a hammering in the second winning 21 – 5. Rowan and Allen’s second match was slightly tougher, but proved only a minor scare as the UCLan pair won 21 – 16, 21 – 14.

UCLan had not dropped a single game throughout the match and after being on the wrong end of an 8 – 0 white wash last week, they had returned the favour this time out. The result meant UCLan men’s 1sts progressed to round two of the cup- where they will meet the University of Manchester 2nds.

After the match, veteran of the team, Graham Hollingsworth was impressed with the teams’ performance:

“We were literally on fire!” he said.

On a more down to earth note, Captain Adam Spence was pleased with the win:

“It’s good to be back on winning ways after a bad result last week”

UCLan 1sts now turn their attention back to the league, as they travel to Manchester on Wednesday to take on one of the strongest sides in the league Manchester University 1sts.

By Jamie Allen

UCLan 71-51 MMU Cheshire

Coach Craig Wright praised a good team performance as UCLan Women’s Basketball team eased to a 71-51 win over MMU Cheshire on Wednesday night.

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UCLan 44-54 Nottingham Trent

UCLan Netball 1^sts were narrowly edged out of the BUCS Cup by Nottingham Trent in a close encounter which ended 54-44 to the visitors.

It was a tight game throughout with UCLan taking the lead at the half way point, but it was not to be for the home side as the lead slipped away and consequently ended of their season.

Nottingham got off the mark first after they defended UCLan’s first centre and created a great shooting opportunity to put them ahead.

However some great movement around the shooting circle and superb netting from Goal Shooter Georgina Farrer quickly turned it round and put UCLan in front.

Shortly after Goal Attack Danielle Parkinson could have added to the tally after player of the match, Harriett Dunn, worked a free pass to the home side into the circle, unfortunately Parkinson couldn’t finish.

UCLan found their form towards the end of the first quarter with some pivotal defending from Goal Keeper Laura Kerr, despite all of the home side’s efforts the first quarter finished 11-15 to Nottingham Trent.

The second quarter started much like the first had finished.

UCLan looked dangerous on the attack with both Farrer and Parkinson on top shooting form.

The lead was shortened as UCLan seem to hit the acceleration pedal, quick passes left the Nottingham defence running backwards.

Dunn took advantage of a replay ball as she took the free pass quickly and found Parkinson who netted perfectly which gave UCLan a 25-22 half time lead.

The visitors seemed to step up the pace in the second half of the game.

Inch perfect passes provided them with plenty of shooting opportunities which their shooters did not fail to take.

After the third quarter the tables had turned and Nottingham had the lead, 32-42.

UCLan were not going down without a fight and the last quarter proved this.

However every net UCLan could scrape Nottingham cancelled out with one of their own.

Some great shooting by substitute Gemma Bamford gave hope for the home team but after a great game Nottingham Trent came out victorious.

Captain Farrrer said: “It was a good game but we just seemed to lose it in the end.”

The match also marked the last game with UCLan Netball for some of the first team.

Farrer added:“It was my last ever game for UCLan and during my time here I’ve never missed a first team game in the whole three years.”

After gaining promotion last year to league 1a, the team have struggled to grab victories this season but Farrer seemed positive from the experience as she added: “When I took on the role of first team captain this year I knew it was going to be tough and it has.

“It’s been a great experience though and I know all of us have developed from league 1a experience.

“I don’t want to leave UCLan Netball, however with such a great group of girls, I know they’ll all do a great job next year.”

Good luck next season girls.

By Elisa Langton

UCLAN 91-66 Liverpool Hope

UCLan Men’s basketball began the 2010 half of the season where they left off in 2009 with their eighth win in a row; 91-66 over Liverpool Hope.

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UCLan 8-0 Northumbria

AN 8-0 victory over Northumbria 2nds saw UCLan’s Women Badminton team go through to the semi-finals of the BUCS Cup, ensuring they remain unbeaten so far this season.

The first round of single matches saw Becky White and Claire Reynolds ensure UCLan took the early initiative as both secured wins; White 21-8, 21-5 and Reynolds 21-2, 21-5.

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UCLan 1sts 5-3 Manchester 3rds

UCLan Badminton  ran out 5-3 winners over the University of Manchester.

After the first round of singles matches the sides were all even, as Alex Byrne’s loss was cancelled out with Martin Southgate storming to victory.

Byrne going down 22-20, 21-15 while the Southgate came out with a more than convincing 21-10, 21-8 win.

This trend continued into the first round of doubles matches, with one victory a piece coming out for both sides.

Duncan Wolverson and Dan Roberts were downed after a valiant effort 21-14, 30-28, while Adam Spence and John Parry recovered from going one down by winning 17-21, 21-13, 21-15.

As we headed into the second round of singles it was all to play for, but UCLan dug deep and took control.

Alex Byrne made up for his earlier loss by coming out on top 21-12, 21-9, and Martin Southgate made it two out of two as he dug deep to record a 21-12, 13-21, 21-14 victory.

The pairing of Adam Spence and John Parry confirmed the victory by recording their second win 21-17, 21-13.

Duncan Wolverson and Dan Roberts failed to put the gloss on the victory as they were beat in a close encounter 21-17, 21-18.

Elsewhere the Women’s team extended their 100% start to the season with a 7-1 victory away at promotion rivals Keele to go top of Northern Conference Women’s 2A.

By Craig Davies

UCLan 81 MMU Cheshire 67.

UCLan Men’s Basketball came away from there long and late night trip to MMU Cheshire with the points on Wednesday, winning 81-67

Seeing that their opponents were only suiting up seven players UCLan hoped to start the game at a high tempo, and pressurise the home side into easy steals, but with the referees calling fouls on every physical contact they could find they had to rethink their strategy.

Ben Eisenhandler stepped up to the starting 5 slot perfectly replacing the missing Harry Beenham who had other commitments. Eisenhandler connected on all 3 of his three-point shot attempts in the first half, sparking a comfortable 45-28 lead at the break.

The third quarter saw the home side finally forming some rhythm and with some poor rebounding and help defence by UCLAN, MMU Cheshire were back within 9 points.

However Chris Smith halted any kind of a comeback in the 4^th quarter, connecting on two straight 3-pointers and a total of four throughout the game, confirming the teams 6^th straight win.

Chris Smith top scored with 17 points, while Ben Eisenhandler was not too far behind with 13. The team produced a well rounded performance with all 10 players getting on the score sheet.

The women’s team over came some suspect refereeing decisions to get a hugely important victory on a mammoth trip to Bangor on Monday. None the less the women’s came away with a hard fought low scoring 34-32 victory.

Next week the men travel to Manchester Met 2nds while the women’s team look for revenge when they host Lancaster at Foster Sports Centre.

By Sean Mahoney

UCLan 1sts 93-78 Chester 1sts

A thrilling top-of-the table clash at Foster Sports Centre saw UCLan’s Men’s Basketball team beat the University of Chester.

The 93-78 win, UCLan’s fourth in their opening four games, gives them a three point lead at the top of BUCS Northern Conference Division 2. Continue Reading

UCLan 2nds 3-5 Chester 1sts

The Badminton 2nds team suffered their third defeat in four matches this season, as they were beaten 5-3 by Chester’s 1sts

The doubles paring of Alex Byrne and Bruce Johnson got UCLan off to a good start, easily winning their first game 21-9, 21-10, but Chester were soon level as singles player Mike Newton went down to a 21-9, 21-11 defeat.

The other single and doubles games both went to a third set, however UCLan lost out in both of them, Alex Dodd going down 18-21, 21-13, 21-13 to the Chester captain, and the partnership of Dave Garnett and UCLan Captain Duncan Wolverson losing a close encounter 21-18, 16-21, 19-21.

With a 3-1 deficit to overcome in the second round of matches, it was always going to be a tall order for UCLan.

Byrne and Johnson continued their form from the first game, with a 21-11, 21-11 win to raise UCLan hopes of a comeback, although Mike Newton’s second singles defeat, 21-15, 21-13 meant a draw was the best they could hope for.

It was the Chester captain who confirmed his sides victory, winning a close contest against Dodd 21-15, 7-21, 21-11 which meant Garnett and Wolverson’s final doubles win 15-21, 21-16, 21-17 was only a mere consolation.

Afterwards Wolverson admitted losing two of his players due to injuries in the first team was crucial. “That might have just made the difference if we had those two players back,” he said.

The 2nds are in cup action next week, hosting Liverpool Hope 1sts at Foster Sports Centre.

By Ciaran Thomas

UCLan 1sts 46-46 Liverpool 1sts

A superb fighting performance by the UCLan Netball team gave them their first point of the season as they drew 46-46 with Liverpool.

In this compelling encounter, goal shooter, Georgina Farrier opened the scoring for UCLan after a couple of minutes. UCLan took advantage of some lacklustre Liverpool play and doubled their tally. But the Merseysiders fought back and broke into a 12-11 lead after the first quarter.

There was a great atmosphere in Foster Sports Hall with everyone backing the home side. Danielle Parkinson broke down a Liverpool attack and found Farrier in space to shoot. Both shooters displayed some excellent shooting throughout the game.

The visitors coach stopped the game in the third quarter and accused the UCLan supporters of intimidating the shooters with their noise, but this didn’t seem to faze the home team as they approached the final quarter with a 40-33 lead.

Liverpool stepped it up a notch, along with a few debatable decisions by the umpires and they managed to level the scores. A tense last 5 minutes for UCLan saw goal-keeper, Ella Durant, who was outstanding throughout the match, made some crucial interceptions to keep her side in the game. The final whistle couldn’t come soon enough for the home team, but the players seemed happy with the result.

Captain and best player, Georgina Farrier, said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic with the result. To me that is a success for the season, in my eyes we won today”.

The UCLan 2^nd team put on a fine display against Salford 2^nds as they won 57-7. The result maintains their 100% record this season. Player of the match went to Heather Robinson.

By Elisa Langton