University of Bath sporting students seek final flourish on BUCS Big Wednesday
Student badminton, rugby league, tennis and water polo teams from the University of Bath are hoping for a brilliant BUCS Big Wednesday as they prepare to compete in national finals.
This Wednesday (March 16) will see thousands of student-athletes from across the country in action as the BUCS [British Universities & Colleges Sport] cup competitions reach their climax.
The University of Bath men’s tennis 1st team (pictured) are looking for plenty of home support when they compete in the BUCS Championship final at the Sports Training Village.
The showdown with Durham University will start at 12noon and students and staff are encouraged to head to the STV during the afternoon to get behind the team as they look to secure the national title.
They booked their place in the final in thrilling fashion, claiming victory in a winner-takes-all shootout after drawing six games all against Leeds Beckett Carnegie at the STV last week.
Bath finished runner-up in the BUCS National Premier Division to final opponents Durham, who are unbeaten this season.
The University of Bath’s rugby league team, meanwhile, will take on Nottingham in the BUCS Trophy Final at Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park (3pm).
Bath booked their place in the showpiece match in dramatic style as a late try from Ed Tait sealed a 22-20 win over Cardiff Met.
It continued Bath’s 100 per cent record this season, having won all six of their matches to finish top of the Western 1A League table.
Their cup run has seen Bath progress through four away matches, winning 60-0 against Essex 1sts, 22-10 against Exeter 2nds and 36-10 against Brunel 1sts before their dramatic semi-final success.
Club chairman Chris Abbott said: “I’m just really proud of everything that this team has achieved this year.
“This is already the most successful season that the Rugby League club have ever had but we can’t wait to go that little bit further and hopefully bring home the trophy on Wednesday.
“Our long-time coach Rob Cryer has been joined this year by former Bath Uni RL player and full Wales international Morgan Evans. Together they have developed us in to a very well organised team and are a big reason behind this season’s successes.”
The players selected for the final are Fraser Robinson, Chris Abbott, Tom Plance, Ed Eades, Joe Ring, Ed McGuire, Jamie Park, Liam Cashman, Rex Boulter, Jordan Stainton, Fin Canney, Sam Bragoli-Jones and Dave Belcher, with Lawrence Haywood, Nick Walker, Jake Lucas and Ed Tait on the interchange bench.
Opponents Nottingham were also league leaders this year, finishing top of Midlands 1A after picking up nine wins from ten games.
Also boasting an unbeaten record this season is the University of Bath women’s badminton 1st team. The Premier South champions take on Loughborough in the Championship final on Wednesday.
Joining them in Sheffield will be the women’s water polo team, whose 18-7 home win against University College London at the weekend set up a Trophy Final against St Andrews University.
