It is that time of year again, where student teams get to test themselves against their follow Scottish and English counterparts In order to try and make it to the finals of either the British (BUCS) Trophy or Championship finals.
Wednesday saw the last 16 ties of The BUCS Trophy with multiple Scottish Institutions involved across the men’s and women’s competitions.
The day started with Aberdeen Girls hosting Manchester at the Sports Village, having been crowned SSS champions just last week the girls warmed up confidently, however, despite some great serving runs from Chloe Rutherford the girls from Manchester won the crucial points at key times and edged out 0-3 winners.
Captain Bethany Hamilton said after the match ‘ although we are disappointed not to progress, we have a very young team with a great spirt, we will be together for a good few years and this is just another step on the progression of the team.
Aberdeen’s Men’s team were unable to provide support for the girls as they were travelling to Northumbria II for their match. Captain Moray West, who played at the same venue as vice-captain of the SSS squad stated ‘After a long journey it was always going to be tough playing against a very organised team. We started well and our serving was very effective, but ultimately Northumbria proved to be too strong, taking the match 3-0.’
Heriot-Watt University will be the next Scottish team to attempt to travel to sport central and upset Northumbria’s dreams of a Championship and Trophy double. The boys from the capital put in a fantastic performance away at Sheffield University emerging victorious after a hard fought 3-1 victory.
Dundee University’s Men’s team were also on the road to take on English opposition as they travelled to Derby in the hope of making the Quarter Finals. DUVC Men’s Captain Thomas Barr, ‘The lads started strong and took the first set 25-12. Derby came back into it and forced a close second set 25-23 but Dundee in the end managed to see the game out 25-21 in the third set.’
Dundee will play Strathclyde University in the quarter Finals in a repeat of the
SSS cup final after Strathclyde disposed of their Glasgow rivals 3-1 thanks to a great serving performance backed up with a strong block.
Another of Glasgow’s University’s was in action in the trophy with GCU girl’s taking on Liverpool as they because the last remaining Scottish team in the competition with a great 3-0 victory. Glasgow Caledonian’s Captain Lauren Ramage, ‘Very proud and impressed with everyone’s performance, one of the best games we have ever played. Every girl played their heart out with consistent serves and powerful attacks. Liverpool put up a good fight but we had that team quality which gave us the edge and allowed us to comfortably win each set. The game has given us the confidence to go into the quarter finals and we’re really looking forward to playing Northumbria. Hopefully we can keep doing our university proud and continue our winning streak!’
This Wednesday sees the Premier League sides also in action as they try and reach the BUCS championships final 8s.
Good Luck to all Scottish teams in their matches on Wednesday.
Graeme Spowart
Club & Participation Development Officer
| Men’s BUCS Trophy | ||
| University of Dundee | v | Strathclyde University |
| Northumbria II | v | Heriot-Watt University |
| Women’s BUCS Trophy | ||
| Glasgow Caledonian University | v | Northumbria II |
| Men’s BUCS Championships | ||
| Cambridge University | v | University of Edinburgh |
| Women’s BUCS Championships | ||
| University of Edinburgh | v | Cambridge University |
| Sussex University | v | University of St.Andrews |
| Oxford University | v | Heriot-Watt University |