Boar Sport’s teams to watch in 2017
Women’s Basketball 1s
Image: Facebook/Warwick Sport
If two appearances on the coveted Boar Sport Power Rankings were not already enough, their inclusion here should give Women’s Basketball 1s the recognition they rightfully deserve. The build up to Varsity, the biggest fixture of the year, demands signs of form and excellence. Boy, have Women’s Basketball 1s done that.
A 100% record in Midlands 2B division doesn’t tell half the story. They have consistently dominated the opposition, putting in exceptional performances in the league: opening the season with three victories, scoring over 70 points on each occasion. The next match against the University Of East Anglia was much closer but showed the steely determination of the side, with a 47-34 victory. This was followed by two more convincing victories, before the Basketball girls ended the term with a great victory over Northampton.
The question now is whether they can deliver another standout victory against Coventry in Varsity 2017. There will undoubtedly be more pressure when the local rivals roll into town, but they look like they can handle it and hopefully give Warwick another victory.
Yashas Mudumbai
Women’s Fencing 1s
If there’s any team ready for the their Varsity clash it’s Women’s Fencing 1s. After a bitterly narrow defeat earlier in the season at Loughborough, the girls have fought back with a vengeance. Four consecutive wins leave them top of the pile in Midlands 1A and now they have Coventry in their sights. A win percentage of 83% and a seriously impressive points per match average of 132.5, compared to just 102.2 conceded, speak for themselves. A stellar BUCS season is most certainly in the offing, with the dramatic return fixture of Loughborough key to title hopes.
Image: Facebook/Warwick University Fencing Club
Varsity is a different animal. We may have a stronger team, but on Saturday 25th February, in a one-off bout, complacency must be avoided. Plus, the girls won’t be going it alone. The match is mixed, meaning the men’s team comes into play.
Thankfully, this is not cause for serious concern. If not quite as impressive as the women’s, the men’s team is having a strong season in its own right. After an opening day defeat to Loughborough by just two points, and a perhaps surprising loss at Cambridge, at the time of writing they too have won four on the spin, including inflicting Loughborough’s only defeat of the season.
When it comes to Varsity, form is most definitely with fencing.
Alex Jennings
Men’s Rugby League 1s
Image: Facebook/Warwick University Rugby League
The rise of the Men’s Rugby League 1s is best illustrated by two matches against Oxford Brookes 2s last term. In early November, Warwick travelled to the turf of their strongest competition for the Midlands 2B title and were narrowly beaten 24-16. As they prepared to host Brookes just four weeks later it seemed that another close match was in store. The score? 52-14 to Warwick.
That victory capped a fine term for the 1s, ensuring they went into the Christmas break three points clear at the top of the league. Though their next match isn’t scheduled until 1 February, it signals the start of a crucial six weeks for the club.
First up is a league match at home to Cambridge, who were beaten 92-6 in November. They then face Oxford Brookes 1s, top of Midlands 2A, in the cup. On 25 February they battle for local pride as they take on Coventry as part of Varsity’s very own Super Saturday. This is followed by league games away at Birmingham and home to Northampton – if all goes to plan then the final whistle of the latter fixture will signal the start of a promotion party.
James Roberts
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