Information on Loughborough

Double win for Loughborough

Posted on 01/05/2008

womens Rugby at Loughborough UniversityLoughborough University did the double over sporting rivals Bath as the men’s and women’s rugby teams both claimed victory at the annual Real Varsity clash (Wednesday 30 April).

Loughborough’s men beat Bath 21-9 while the women scored an unanswered 19 points in front of a 3,500 strong crowd seated in a temporary grandstand erected especially on the 1st XV pitch.

In the men’s match the home side opened the scoring after six minutes with a penalty courtesy of full back Grant Pointer. Bath missed a chance to equalise just minutes later and Pointer doubled Loughborough’s lead at the 12-minute mark.

The match continued with both sides gridlocked until a well-judged clearance kick from Pointer fell short of the Bath eight’s grasp to put Loughborough in with a chance. Pressure from the chasing pack forced more errors from the visitors, benefiting Loughborough blindside Andy Hodgkins who seized the loose ball and crossed the line. The score was unconverted to give Loughborough a 11-0 lead.

Just before the break, a well-worked back row move just inside the Bath half saw home captain Dan Falvey break from the scrum and offload to Pointer. The full back made yards down the line before finding wing Andy Wright who crossed in the corner to boost Loughborough’s lead to 16 points at the half way point.

alternative form of energy generation - a solar panel

A determined Bath side returned from the break and chipped away at Loughborough’s lead with a series of penalties which saw them go within seven points of the defending champions. But Loughborough kept a solid defence to deny the visitors a win, adding instead a try of their own from a pressurised Bath discretion. Loughborough, 5 minutes before the end of the match opted for touch from a five-metre penalty and a pack effort from the resulting lineout put in replacement hooker Tom Cobb who touched down for the final score of the game, giving Loughborough a 21-9 win.

“I’m delighted to get the win,” said Loughborough head coach Dave Morris. “All the squad would admit we didn’t play our best but we showed real character to go out and get the victory like we did; we were determined to bounce back after last week’s BUSA loss.

“For those boys leaving at the end of the year this was the last game for them as Loughborough. It is a fitting end for those guys who are so dedicated and have served the club so well.”

“The whole event was brilliant, from the women’s game to the BOOST community final to the men’s match and showed what Loughborough rugby is all about. A lot of people have been involved in making this evening a great playing occasion and I’d like to thank them for their work.”

Loughborough’s futsal team were also in action against Bath in the first ever FA Umbro Fustal League fixture held on campus. Bath opened the scoring in the first minute of play but Loughborough were quick to equalise through student Luke Horrocks. Futsal at Loughborough University

The visitors piled on the pressure but were only able to add a further score before the break thanks to the steadfast defence of goalkeeper Idafe Perez and some impressive interceptions from the Loughborough team.

Loughborough equalised early in the second half and showed good skill to dominate the Bath quintet, but the team failed to capitalise on a run of chances to take the lead. Bath slipped in a score at the mid-way point of the half and despite a resolute effort from the home side they were unable to pull back the deficit, Bath taking the win 3-2.

Further pictures of the womens match and the mens match are available.