University Match Report (3)

 Honours even in heated Derby

The 2^nd teams of UCB and Birmingham City play out an entertaining draw in a feisty encounter at Moor Lane. 

Richie Mills on 7th March 2012.

The penultimate game of the season took place this Wednesday at a cold and blustery Moor Lane where local rivals UCB and BCU clashed for the second and final time this season.
Despite their superior league position of 4^th to 6^th respectively, UCB weren’t taking anything for granted having lost their only previous encounter 2-1 in a tight affair in October.

UCB (In blue) vs BCU (Orange bibs)

1^st half:
As the game commenced, a frenetic start ensued with both teams quick to put pressure on the opposing team, with great effect.
The strong wind was proving a menace to both sides, though perhaps UCB would have been disappointed for not making the most of the conditions being slightly in their favour, for 45 minutes at least.
Several long range efforts reigned in, peppering both goalkeepers who proved they were up to the challenge with assured displays.

However it was the ‘Cakes’ who picked up the pace, sparking the game into life. The opposing defence were split open by Goalkeeper Smelkov’s long range goal kick, albeit strongly aided by the wind, and the ball found its way to striker James Dixon, facing a 1 on 1 with the keeper.
Unfortunately the front man was unable to convert thanks to a smart save.

This proved to be the highlight of a first half that, despite the score, was proving to be a thrilling and engaging affair plagued by strong defence, hard tackles and limited opportunities.

Half time team huddle

2^nd half:
The second period got under way and immediately UCB flew out of the blocks, following neat build up by using both flanks, the ball was worked towards the opposition area. Winger Rob Veskamie whipped in a delightful delivery which was met by a firm, looping header from substitute Rob Da Cunha, who saw his effort fly narrowly wide.
The momentum was clearly with UCB, who were exhibiting real conviction and efficiency with their passing game by retaining the ball effectively and in turn making inroads into their adversaries half.  Sporadic breaks seemed to be the only outlet for BCU who were consistently rebuffed by the stout defence of centre back duo Sean Ebbs and Max Brown, who were solid throughout.

Despite UCB being on top for the majority of the 2^nd half, it was City who were presented with a golden opportunity to level matters in a rare escapade into their rivals’ half. Following a sliced defensive clearance, the usually organised defence were stretched into disarray and from 10 yards out the City striker should have buried the inviting chance presented to him but he blazed wide.

This appeared to galvanise BCU, who attacked once more with fresh vigour and fluidity by forcing consecutive corners, leading to a goal mouth scramble which was somehow eventually hacked clear to safety.

Goalkeeper Valen Smelkov

An audacious 30 yard strike was well saved by Goalie Smelkov who was looking extremely assured between the posts and following his clearing kick and crisp passes, the ball fell to centre back Max Brown who struck a crisp drive on the half volley narrowly wide, but the danger had not passed.

The Cakes attempted to weather the storm but the increasing pressure and possession told as once again following a rapid counter attack the UCB defence was finally unlocked. Following neat interplay the ball was worked towards the number 10 striker, who this time didn’t miss, by rounding keeper Smelkov and tucking the ball home for a 1-0 lead.
The goal was just about deserved after several prolonged minutes of pressure.

In spite of this setback the 4^th placed side were undeterred and subsequent to several minutes of fleeting advances into the opponents half from both teams, Captain Ashley Cox smashed home the loose ball from close range to make it 1-1 after the resolute City defence failed to clear their lines. This event sparked delirious celebrations from the entire team, much to the delight of the 4 person strong UCB supporters and to the dismay of the BCU followers.

The game was becoming increasingly physical with both sides on the receiving end of thumping challenges; some fair some not so much. As the match entered the final 5 minutes of normal time, the encounter threatened to bubble over as heated exchanges became more frequent as the BCU team were repeatedly frustrated by fruitless attempts to break down UCB’s defensive wall.

As the game drew to a close, the Cakes were under siege from a final City thrust that yielded two unsuccessful corners that came to nothing. One last surge from BCU proved futile and with the final whistle it appeared UCB were the happier of the two despite having just as many chances in a deserved 1-1 draw.

UCB Man of the match Tom Weatherhead commented that: "considering the conditions, we couldn’t ask for much more. Credit where credit is due they battled hard but a draw was a fair result but perhaps we could have nicked it!"

The result leapfrogs the 2^nd’s over their 3^rd team rivals in the BUCS MARS Midlands 5C league, though the latter have two games in hand.
To round up the week’s action the UCB 1^st team battled to a hard fought 1-1 draw with Worcester’s 2^nd team and the Women’s team enjoyed a 2-1 away win to Oxford.

Team lineup:
Valen Smelkov (GK), James Meddler (RB), Max Brown (CB), Sean Ebbs (CB), Ashley Cox (LB), James Nolan (RM), Rob Verskannie (CM),  Louis Grant (CM), Tom Weatherhead (LM), James Dixon (FW) Brad Potter (FW), Rob Da Cunha (CM).

University Match Report (2)

Men’s Badminton team ‘Serve’ up a treat against Lincoln

UCB edges past a resilient Lincoln 3^rd team thanks to a slice of good fortune to close the gap on the league’s top three.

Richie Mills – February 15^th – Maltings sports hall.

Fresh off their impressive 5-3 win away to Staffordshire 2^nd’s the week before, the Men’s Badminton team repeated the feat in a 5-3 home victory over Lincoln 3rd's.

Ahead of this encounter both sides had accumulated solitary wins this season, though in UCB’s case they were unfortunate not to have snatched wins at home to Lincoln’s 2^nd team and away to Newham University College respectively, which highlighted the importance of this particular match with both keen to grab their second triumph of the year in a difficult league.

D. Yeo (far side) vs Lincoln player

UCB started as slight favourites due to their higher league standing and led by Captain Darren Yeo it was the home side that made the brighter start in the singles with both Captain Yeo and Alex James, recording comprehensive wins in the first set of the best of 3 set match.
James, coincidentally plays in the Yorkshire league, proved to be UCB’s trump card by inflicting a ruthless and efficient demolition of the opposition’s first and 2^nd seeds with a score line of 21-6, 21-9 and 21-0, 21-6. On both occasions his challengers cut dejected figures after being on the receiving end of two powerful performances, but all was not lost.

Lincoln, however, did not look discouraged.
Despite dropping the first set 21-13 against Yeo, he was admirably pegged back by the opposing player, whom eventually took a thrilling, marathon like second set 26-24 to force a decider with the momentum appearing to be with the travelling team.

Nevertheless Yeo, who looked rather disconsolate following that epic 2^nd set loss, was undeterred, proving his mettle by racing into an early lead in the final set before sealing a convincing 21-9 win. This proved to be crucial as unfortunately the captain’s exertions from the first match had visibly taken its toll and eventually succumbed to a gallant 15-21, 18-21 defeat, giving UCB a slender 3-1 lead heading into the doubles encounters.

UCB doubles (Near side)

Regrettably the doubles pairings of Ooi Yuen Chen and Kent Tan, Matt Richards and Louis Lee were unable to emulate their fellow singles players’ achievements. The home teams doubles partners were on the receiving end of 21-11, 21-10 and 21-15, 21-19 defeats against a strong Lincoln outfit.

Crucially though what eventually determined the whole tie was Lincoln’s inability to field a full six man team and as a result handed the win to UCB. What may have proved a fruitless day, turned out to be a gratifying conquest against the rather unlucky visitors.
This sentiment was echoed by home team captain Darren Yeo commenting that ‘We played quite well today against a good team and we won... just.’ The words of a joyous and somewhat relieved man you can probably imagine.

Team Photo

With the season winding down, further successes may be on the horizon with their season concluding encounter against their winless local adversaries Wolverhampton at home on February the 29^th.

Team Sheet:

Singles: Darren Yeo and Alex James.

Doubles: Yuen Chen and Kent Tan, Matt Richards and Louis Lee.

University Match Report (1)

Courageous Cakes Conquer Wasteful Worcester

UCB

UCB’s Netball 2^nd team oust the Worcester 4's in a hard fought victory to move up to second in the Midlands 6A league at the Maltings Sports Hall.

University of Worcester

Richie Mills on February 15^th 2012.

The Women’s Netball 2^nd team took to the court ahead of the 2:00pm kickoff in an understandably boisterous and confident mood against Worcester’s 4^th team. This was due in part to their comprehensive 33-18 win in the reverse fixture just two months before in addition to their superior league position.
This assertive manner was increasingly evident as the home side flew out of the blocks, demonstrating swift, fastidious plays which proved to be too much for the opposition who were engulfed by wave after wave of clinical attacks.

Worcester fought valiantly to turn the tide but with the conclusion of the first quarter, they were staring at a daunting 6-1 deficit. The stellar defensive exertions of goalkeeper Holli T were crucial however in thwarting Worcester’s sporadic advances into their half which may have led to a less one-sided first 15 minutes of play.

Worcester restarted play refreshed and reinvigorated with three quick surges towards the Netball posts but were repeatedly foiled by the home team’s persistent defence, although admittedly weren’t helped by poor shooting. They were then made to rue their missed opportunities thanks to goal shooter Emma B’s quick thinking followed not long after by the best move of the match.
The Worcester defence was cut to ribbons in a move involving the entire team and as a result were left trailing in UCB’s wake to take an 8-1 lead.
The game entered a period of indiscipline and errors from both sides before Worcester were once again denied through a combination of strong defence and reckless shooting.

This was becoming a familiar recurrence as once again the home team countered on the break with two quick scores in succession, taking the tally to 10-1. With the clock counting down to the end of the second quarter, Worcester caught UCB unawares by grabbing two surprise goals to bring proceedings to a close at 10-3 with one half gone.

Sophie Andrew appeared to be nursing a niggling injury and was replaced by Amy W at centre. Perhaps more telling though was the decision to appoint Worcester's erratic goal keeper to the position of goal shooter! To those casual netball fans, such as myself, this may have come as quite a shock as to me it appeared Iker Casillas had just switched to striker in Karim Benzema’s place! Though not literally....
This intrepid move brought instant results as the new goal shooter caught the ‘Cakes’ cold with 3 of the next 4 goals.
Coach Jane Abbey’s team had to weather the storm somewhat under a barrage of improved Worcester play. A much needed and timely UCB recovery ensued which culminated with long range efforts from goal attacker Chloe Green and a quick fire treble from sharp shooter Emma Brown for a 15-7 3^rd quarter lead.

The previous quarter’s efforts were beginning to take its toll on both teams with a few more uncharacteristic loose passes, but crucially the more efficient and organised Brummies were able to make their opponents lament their wastefulness. The home side were controlling the tempo of the game against a side whose only attacking ploy was to pump it forward to their goal shooter with every opportunity. Both sides traded scores before another flowing move gave UCB a 10 point cushion at 21-11 as their rivals defence parted like the red sea.
With the clock winding down, the win was all but secured. Though the scoreline was a comprehensive 24-14 UCB victory, the game proved to be a hard fought, and at times, arduous encounter that saw the home side   leapfrog past local rivals Birmingham City into 2^nd place in the league table.
The player’s player of the match was awarded to goal attack Chloe Green who weighed in with an impressive 9 goals with the captain’s pick going to wing attack Olivia.

A transitional year is in place for this side, upon entering a new league, but with five wins from seven games, their confidence will surely be growing and with team performances like this the University of Harper Adam’s unbeaten run will surely be severely tested come February 29th!

Team Sheet:
Goalkeeper – Holly T, Goal defence – Amy S, Centre – Sophie Andrew (Amy W),
Wing Defence – Emily H (Emma W), Wing Attack - Olivia , Goal Attack – Chloe Green,
Goal shooter – Emma Brown.