University leagues ahead of last year
Sunday February 28th marks the fourth Varsity 2010 event with the rugby league at Lady Bay in what looks to be a promising fixture for The University of Nottingham. This year sees the teams clash horns for the third time in Varsity, with the current score between the two standing at an inseparable 1-1, however the confidence is clear to see in the Uni camp.
Finishing their league in second place behind none other than the machines of sport, Loughborough, Uni can be proud of their season which has seen them win five, draw one and lose four which almost included the double over their local rivals. A 16-20 defeat away at Loughborough prevented Uni from gaining all 4 points from the league winners, and it is a game that sticks out for 1st team captain Tom Cliffe.
“It was probably our best performance of the season and we were very unlucky to lose after playing some fantastic rugby in terrible conditions,” the 3rd year civil engineer claims. Despite not claiming the victory, it is certainly a season that has seen vast improvements for Nottingham University Rugby League which will hopefully keep the club moving forward for years to come.
“Last year we were struggling to put out two teams, had no proper coaching, and seemed to be plagued by injuries all the way through the season,” explains Cliffe, in a season which subsequently saw Uni lose the Varsity game. The 09/10 season though has definitely been positive on so many levels for Uni’s predominantly Northern form of rugby. Cliffe and his team are feeling increasingly confident this year, where they have managed to consistently field two teams- both finishing their respective leagues in 2nd place- under a full time coach, enabling them to pick from a very strong squad for the Varsity game against Trent.
It seems that everything has changed for Uni this season from the coaching angle, right through to the results on the pitch, but one thing they may need to credit for their success this year is the pre-game ritual. New tunes have entered Uni’s dressing room this campaign, the most notable of these being the 8-mile soundtrack. Where you would normally expect to find a hearty rendition of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing, instead the air is filled with the lyrical genius that is Eminem, who seems to certainly be helping the boys pump themselves up for the big game.
The Wednesday night re-location from Isis to Rock City certainly came as a surprise to many, ensuring the boys needed to find a new their feet in the new AU club night, but one player who has certainly found is feet this year is left winger Jamie Henderson. With 10 tries in only 5 appearances, it seems that he will certainly be one-to-watch come Varsity, and hopefully his ratio of 2 tries per game will continue. The 4th year French and Hispanics student was involved in the Varsity 2008 game which resulted in a Uni victory.
“We just need to keep it simple and not get excited. If we play the rugby we have been all season we should win no problem” believes Henderson, reflecting the confidence running throughout the team in their Varsity preparations.
However, according to the well-known sporting cliché, one game should be taken at a time, and prior to the Varsity match, the Uni 1st team has a cup game to concentrate on. The 2nd team have unfortunately been knocked out, but the 1st XIII host Edge Hill University Men’s 1st this coming Wednesday at Highfields with a place in the semi-final at stake.
After that, it will be very much all guns blazing for the Nottingham Rugby League showdown. “It will be an honour to lead the team out at Varsity,” Cliffe proudly comments.
“I can’t wait. We will win by 20, and after there will definitely be a smash up at The Bag O’ Nails”.
So, in a season that has seen Nottingham Uni Men’s Rugby League improve substantially, it seems their final test is to wipe the floor with their rivals from the other side of town to put the proverbial icing on the proverbial cake.
Sam Edwards
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