URN

Throughout the CRY Charity Varsity Series 2010, we'll be keeping this page updated with scores from all of the events.

American Football
The American Football was a fair game with the score-line of 14-6 to Trent not a true reflection of Uni’s dominance. Trent’s offense seemed largely redundant throughout the 60 minutes, their scores a result of two interceptions, which whilst obviously frustrating for Uni’s fans, did show Uni’s intention and experimentation to mix things up, go for the big plays and please the fans. Regrettably, it didn’t quite pay off, but Uni can hold their heads high as the better team, in a day that was a very enjoyable experience for most. So Trent lead the series 1-0!

Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey was a thrilling encounter ending 6-6 in normal time and a shoot-out deciding the victors! It was a wonderful advert for the sport and Uni managed to retain the Ice Hockey Varsity crown. A special mention has to be given to Mervyn Tasker who kept Uni in the game numerous times and if it wasn’t for him Trent would have run away with the game. Both teams can be proud that they provided a wonderful spectacle and it leaves the CRY Charity Varsity 2010 series level at 1-1 with all to play for!

Coverage Highlights:

Swimming
This years swimming Varsity being the second of its kind was a Uni dominant event with Uni winning every single event on the schedule, not letting Trent have a chance of revenging the defeat they suffered last year. From the off Uni controlled the pool thus the final scoreboard of 415-244 in Uni's favour was no surprise. This sublime win takes Uni into a 2-1 lead in the CRY Charity Varsity 2010 series and really showed what a talented swimming team Uni are - in a different league to Trent!

Rugby League
A cold day at Lady Bay played host to this year Rugby League Varsity. It was a tightly fought contest with Uni deservedly coming out on top 18-16. With Uni having the better of territory and possession on the whole, however credit where credit is due to Trent as they took all their opportunities and capitalised upon them taking it down to the wire. Trent’s defence was probably the more consistent and proved a tough and near impenetrable obstacle for Uni. Uni emerged victorious though, taking the CRY Charity Varsity Series 2010 to 3-1 in Uni’s favour with Netball next up on 10th March.

Post-match interview with Adam Stanley & Tim Franks:

Varsity Review So-Far: http://urn1350.net/blog/sportshow/2010/03/4-down-10-points-go

Netball
Clifton Campus Sports centre played host to this year’s Varsity Netball, a 200 strong crowd packed in for the eagerly awaited match up that had the Uni touted as favourites after they had previously defeated Trent twice during the normal season. The first two quarters were evenly matched with the scores switching hands and tying constantly but Trent did seem to have the momentum as the half buzzer sounded with the score 15-14. The 3rd period was where the fixture was decided as Trent dominated scoring 9 nets in comparison to Uni's 3! The final period was just a tie up event as Trent just looked to keep in the lead to take the CRY Charity Varsity Series 2010 to 3-2 still Uni's favour.

Women's Basketball
Women’s Varsity Basketball took place on Clifton campus, with the home crowd cheering their teams to victory. The Uni team seemed reluctant to shoot throughout as their lack of firepower saw them drop behind. Trent dominated with Uni usually chasing the game and ultimately Trent deserved their victory, with special mention going to their no.25 who put in a match winning performance. To take CRY Charity Varsity Series to 3-3.

Men's Basketball
A shaky start by Uni made way for clever team moves and solid zonal defending to take the teams into the 1st break tied at 16-16. Trent controlled the opening minutes of the 2nd quarter, taking the game to 22-18 & Uni started to give away silly free throws. Though Uni lifted themselves with some great attacking moves strong defense helped Uni to go into halftime leading 34-31. Uni’s quality was starting to tell, but the home crowd was vociferous and urged their team on. Uni had a dominant patch at the start of the 3rd quarter but was unable to capitalise only taking a 7-point. Then Trent started to dominate and re-took the lead 41-40. Trent kept their composure from then on, and when it mattered most took advantage of the chances created and took their lead to a comfortable 75-58 as the final buzzer blew. Resulting in CRY Charity Varsity 2010 being in Trent's favour 4-3.

Women's Rugby
Uni put in a great performance at Meadow Lane to come away victorious over an undefeated Trent team! Outsized by a physically big Trent team but what Uni lacked in size they more than made up for with speed and sheer ferocity in contact. They started as they meant to go on by scoring first and controlling the game by playing to their strengths and not allowing Trent to settle into their own rhythm. Overall individual performances coupled with a titanic forward effort dragged Uni over the finish line in poll position. A spectacularly gutsy performance from Uni's women pulls the CRY Charity Varsity Series 2010 series back to a tie 4-a-piece

Men's Rugby
Varsity 2010 was a tale of a tale of two teams, two halves and two centres. As Trent put in a stunning performance to cause another Varsity upset! Much talk before the game was about Uni’s ability, their superior skill in the backs and the wrecking ball nature of their pack, also the fact that Trent hadn't won a game all season. Trent took an early lead through the boot and from then on capitalised on all the opportunities that arose for them, special mention must go to Trent centre Romey Vassell who had an incredible game! Trent played a perfectly tactical game which left Uni wondering how it happened credit where credit is due Trent fully deserved to win and make CRY Charity Varsity stand in their favour 5-4.

Women's Football
Meadow Lane played host as Uni looked to end six long years of Varsity heartache. The match started explosively with Uni struggling to find rhythm and Trent capitalised through an audacious lob over the Uni keeper, 1-0 Trent. Uni fought back down the flanks and as the ref blew for half-time Uni were the stronger side. At the start of the second Uni took advantage of Trent's slow approach and were finally rewarded after a great piece of individual skill saw Trent's defence split open and Steph Smith smashed home Uni's first! Trent replied hard and a clumsy Uni challenge in the penalty area gave Trent a penalty; 2-1 Trent. From then on Uni struggled and after Uni's goalkeeper was sent off for a last ditch tackle outside the box it never looked good. Trent took advantage and scored a third, then wrapped up the game nicely to leave the CRY Charity Varsity 2010 series standing at 6-4 in their favour.

Women's Hockey
A thrilling encounter between two tightly matched teams on paper under the overcast skies of Beeston Hockey club led to fireworks from the start! Uni controlled the game well from the start but missed many chances and subsequent disappointment showed as Trent fought back and capitalized on every opportunity that they created, winning the game 5-2 after a entertaining game for the neutral. Trent’s victory here takes the CRY Charity Varsity series to 7-5 with only two events to go leaving Uni in the position where they must win both to just draw the series but as reigning Varsity champions that would be enough - only time will tell...

Men's Hockey
Under the floodlights of Beeston hockey club was where Men’s Varsity Hockey was to take place. Everything was to play for as as it stood if Trent won they would be crowned CRY Charity Varsity 2010 Champions with the series standing as it did 7-5! The game started at a high tempo with end to end play but as it settled Uni took control and set up a nice two goal cushion. Uni then fell complacent for a bit allowing Trent to pull closer a couple of times but overall it was a solid performance by Uni who just did exactly what they needed to to win, as they were the dominant attacking force but they went to sleep at 2-0 and let Trent get back into it but they were able to control the situation!

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by Tom Ryan