Warwick win Varsity for 23rd successive year

Warwick University have clinched the annual sporting Varsity competition against rivals Coventry University for the 23rd year in a row.

The series features sports varying from rugby, football and tennis to equestrian and swimming, and culminated in an emphatic 70-20 victory for Warwick.

An 11-7 win in the first major event, the ice hockey at the Planet Ice Arena, had raised hopes that Coventry would triumph for the first time.

However, comprehensive wins in the tennis and equestrian, as well as tense victories in the basketball and netball, put Warwick in a strong position before Varsity finale day.

And a 2-1 win for the men’s football fourth team ensured victory for Warwick, long before the showpiece rugby finale at Butts Park Arena.

And it was Warwick who won the rugby double-header to finish the series in style, prevailing 14-4 in the rugby league and 27-10 in the rugby union.

Coventry did manage to win 2-1 in the men’s first-team football match, gaining revenge for last year’s 1-0 defeat in the finale event at Ricoh Arena. Coventry’s first-team women also triumphed, thrashing their rivals 4-0.

The series was bigger and better than ever before, with Varsity debuts for equestrian, snooker and pool – all of which Warwick managed to win.

Other more unusual events included indoor cricket, motorsport and snowsports, while there were also friendly encounters in sports such as Ultimate Frisbee, handball and American Football which did not count towards the overall Varsity standings.

Even the sports officers got involved, as Coventry’s Ali Burr competed in the rugby league, while Natasha Cabral of Warwick represented her university in the hockey.

And despite the fierce rivalry between the two universities, the series was played in a competitive but amicable spirit throughout.

The Boar covered the series comprehensively, previewing the series with their annual Varsity pullout, compiled by outgoing editors Alex Russell and John Downes.

But it was on the field that Warwick claimed glory – and Coventry will have to wait another year in their attempts to avenge a 23rd successive defeat.