Intra-mural results 2007-2008

NUSSC Hockey vs. Top Guns

The new season began with a 9am start...again...and with our girls dropping like flies before the game I was starting to worry about numbers, especially when Phoebe Lewis turned up an announced she was actually playing for the other team. Devastated. In the end though, the opposition were short as well so we agreed to a 10 a side game.

It didn't take long for NUSSC to start to dominate the play, with Ollie Tunnicliffe in the centre of midfield showing why he is indispensible. The opposition keeper was soon tested, but despite making several good saves was beaten twice in the first half by some good strikes by Sam Topham, and NUSSC were flying high by half time.

At the start of the second half, the opposition brought out their big guns, and soon piled on the pressure, with a disallowed goal in the opening play. However, Max Cosby in goal was not going to be beaten, keeping the attacks out. As the half wore on, the opposition were tiring and we stepped up our game, Jonathan Powell finding the goal with a snap shot into the corner, and Sam adding his third to make his hat-trick. By the end, the opposition were struggling to get in the game at all, and it proves what we already know, skiers are FIT!

Final Score: NUSSC Hockey 4, Top Guns 0

Player of the match: A tough choice, Ollie once again proving to be the best player on the pitch, as he does week in week out; but it has to go to birthday boy Sam for his debut hat-trick.

The perfect start to the season - even with the majority of the team having never played together before, we shot the opposition down in flames to go top of the group.

NUSSC Netball vs Larrikins

This was our first proper game of the season, Saturdays match having been a total cock up by the other team who apparently can't read!
We also took top spot in the league yesterday with a 5-3 victory over the Larrikins. The match was marred by the lack of decent umpiring, with some very dodgy decisions and some very foul play. The other teams umpire's lack of whistle until 1.15 meant it was a 15 minute match too...grr.
We dominated the first half with Nina and Isy proving why they're two of the best shooters in the intra-mural league. By half time we were 3-0 up. After a very brief turn around we were back playing and Nina managed to score 2 more in her impressive "from the edge of the circle" style but unfortunately my own defensive skills seemed to have been left at the side of the pitch as they managed to put 3 in.
Still a resounding win for a new team. Thanks to Katie who played NUSSC netball for the first time and welcome back to Holly and Nina after their years away, we're so glad they're back!
Hopefully the Tuesday league will see the same success as last season and go on to be undefeated!

NUSSC Saturday vs Polsoc
Following in the Tuesday teams footsteps the Saturday team played extremely well to clinch our first proper victory of the season against a strong Politics side.
New members Fiona, Megan and Sammie were especially outstanding and for a first match as a team we were the stronger side throughout the match and won 19-5.
Fiona and Nina were once again fantastic in positions of GA and GS, with Liv and Megan in C and WA helping them to score!
Myself, Ellie, Katie and Sammie were in defence and, in the first half, didn't have much to do but Sammie showed her ex-county skills in the second, keeping the other team down!
Todays match was much fairer than Tuesdays, with the Uni Netballers umpiring keeping both teams in check and the match running smoothly.
Thanks again to everyone for an excellent first match and we hope to continue the winning streak next week! And of course thanks go to PolSoc for a good game and to the umpire.
Lets hope the success carries on tonight, both for the ski teams and of course England Rugby!
Final Score, NUSSC Saturday 19, Polsoc 5

NUSSC Tuesday vs Lawyers

Our Tuesday team remain undefeated today with a convincing win over the Lawyers. While the Last Man Standing pub crawl left one or two of our players (who shall remain nameless....Nina) a little worse for wear and without one contact lens, the rest of the team were on good form and, after a few minutes or rather erratic play (!) we settled into our usual form and took control of the clearly inferior team!
Final Score NUSSC Tuesday 18, Lawyers 2

NUSSC vs NUNC Lions

Sneakily, the uni netball club have entered teams this year! Bastards! Well, it's meant to be for the people they rejected but we were slightly suspicious when 4 of the team had the uni netball shirts on.....hmmmm. Obviously, we were a little intimidated at the start but soon realised that we are superior to all opposition and by half time we were 6-4 up.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first and excellent centre court play took us to a 11-8 victory!
Special mention goes to Liv who was too drunk to talk this morning and to Nikki Marsh who turned up on her birthday!! Happy Birthday Nik!
Thanks again to everyone, see u Tuesday!

Final score NUSSC 11, NUNC Lions 8

Chemical Engineers vs. NUSSC Hockey

In a marked contrast to the usual, I wasn't worrying about the number of players this week, and a team didn't turn up. An army did. With enough players to field two teams there was even talk of fielding a different offensive and defensive line-up, American Football style...

The game was close, both teams playing well but getting a little bogged down in midfield. NUSSC attacks were characterised by sheer weight of numbers arriving in the oppositon D, Chemical Engineers making quick breaks out of midfield to try and find the gap. Both goals saw plenty of action, and with regular keeper Max away this weekend, perennial stand in Jonathan Powell stepped up with a combination of scrambled goal mouth melee saves and a spectacular and mostly unecessary dive across goal to deflect the ball away from the crossbar.

At half time however, the score was still 0-0, but attacking right from the off NUSSC piled into the opposition, and with players stacking up in the D Holly Dinsdale found a gap and sent the ball home to open the scoring, celebrating by immidiately asking to be substituted. Again, as the match wore on it became increasingly clear there was only one way the result was going to be, and unstoppable goal machine Sam Topham made sure with a great shot into the far cornher of the goal.

Final Score: Chemical Engineers 0, NUSSC Hockey 2

Player of the match: This week, Jamie Creasy really stood out in his return to the pitch for this year.

NUSSC continue their unbeaten run in entirely different circumstances to last year, but we are still riding high at the top of the table. w00p w00p!

Weds 11-a-side

Beat top of the league Mathletico 4-2 to go into second place on goal difference.

Fri 5-a-side
1pm team: Beat Joga Bonito 8-4, need just a point in the last match to guarantee a playoff spot.
2pm team: Secured their first point of a difficult campaign with a hard-fought 4-4 draw with Jimmy Sevilla FC. We only had 5 men, to their 9(!), and with just 45seconds left we were 4-3 up...then they fluked an equaliser before we hit the post.

Sat 11-a-side

Beat top of the league Medics 2nds to stay in second place, but now just a point behind the league leaders...who have lost two in a row. Final score 2-1 thanks to goals from Stu Hubbard and Sam Lunn (he gets everywhere..!)

Saturday 5-a-side
Got a tournament coming up on the 24th of November, 1pm-5pm if anyone is interested in having a kickabout...nothing serious, get together with a few mates and enjoy football! Email nusscfc@gmail.com for more details

Oral Specialists vs. NUSSC Hockey

With Ollie Tunnicliffe missing this week, the standard gameplan of 'put Ollie in the center of midfield and we'll probably win' had to go out of the window, and without a proper keeper (and a manic depressive with only one functioning knee to replace him), things were looking tough.

The opposition had a few key strong players, and it was taking it's toll on our team, but with Sam Lunn at sweeper the opposition were struggling to break through. In the end though, they got a break with two strikers against the keeper, without a defender in sight, and we were 1-0 down at half time.

A slight reshuffle at half time boosted the team a little, and we began to string some good moves together, with Sam having taking the attackers to pieces in the first half, turned his attention to the midfield with some inspired through balls to link up with Hannah Storey. As the half wore on, it came down to Sam Topham to deliver, and he duly slotted home an equaliser to put us back into the game.

However, NUSSC hopes (and winning streak) were crushed a few minutes from the end, where a weak through ball found a spare attacker, and an unlucky deflection off the keeper, and even unluckier sudden gust of wind, and totally unexpected bump in the pitch that disappeared immidiately afterwards saw the ball trickle across the line (not even touching the backboard!)...

Final Score: Oral Specialists 2, NUSSC Hockey 1

Player of the match: Katie Mai-Kong had a great game in defense, and any other week would probably take it, but this week Sam Lunn had a truly exceptional game, dominating the play all over the pitch.

This week we struggled to get going and play like we know we can, and a combination of bad luck and too many errors cost us the game. Still, the other results meant we are tied with two other teams at the top of the league, but ahead on goal difference. The next match will be key!

Architects Anonymous vs. NUSSC Hockey

We need you back, Ollie! Now that's out of the way, on to the match report...

We had a good turnout, but had to stand around waiting for the opposition to turn up/drag their ringers out of bed. Once they did get going however, the opposition showed why they were joint top of the table, and we were struggling. At times, only Frog and the haze of alcohol surrounding Sam Lunn was keeping the opposition at bay.

As the half wore on, we got more confident, and a with a few tactical changes started to attack more, and went on to take the lead when Sam Topham (who else!) slotted the ball home in a crowded goalmouth. There were some good pieces of play, through balls to the attckers that we have been missing in recent weeks, as well as a textbook passing triangle orchestrated by Dai that left the opposition nowhere.

Moving on to the second half, we were looking more like we could take the win, but were being ground down by the twelfth man as a seemingly unending string of umpiring decisions went against us, culminating in a goal being given to the opposition that even they said (at the time, to the umpire) shouldn't have counted. This gave the opposition the momentum to pull ahead, adding another goal towards the end of the half. Despite our attackers giving it their all, we just couln't find another goal. The day was summed up best by Matt Ogg, sending an excellent shot centimetres wide after some great build up play recovering the ball from (yet another) of the opposition's free hits.

Final Score: Architects Anonymous 2, NUSSC Hockey 1

Player of the match: This week, it has to go to stand in keeper Ed for a string of fantastic saves; without him the score would certainly be more.

Today was one of those days where it just didn't seem to go our way, we'll have to move on and try to claw back the next few games.

Happy New Year Intra-mural fans!
Both NUSSC Netball teams started 2008 the way we finished 2007 on winning form! It seems like the effects of Christmas and New Year on our fitness levels weren't as bad as we all feared and we started the season last Saturday with a 9-2 win over Canny Catch. It was an interesting match with no umpire but luckily both teams were honest with our mistakes meaning that my blood pressure was kept in check!
Today saw the start of the Tuesday league in 2008 and we fielded a strong team once again, unfortunately the other team didnt and turned up with a measly 4 players so it was decided that we would play 5-a-side (really testing those of us who Christmas had affected!) and I was lent out to the other team to make up their numbers as shooter! Luckily my shooting was NOT on form today and NUSSC ended the first half 8-0 up. In the second half Holly impressed with her shooting skills......for the other team! Fortunately however, my skills as centre for the other team were definitely lacking so she didn't get chance to put them into the lead!
Final score NUSSC Tuesday 15, CSS 4!


I'm leaving the teams in the capable hand of Nicola Bowen and Holly Dinsdale for the next few weeks as I'm heading off to the Alps for a while so GOOD LUCK girls, do me proud!

Good Luck to Hockey and Football too, go out there and dominate the way only NUSSC can!

NUSSC Hockey vs. Lawyers Hockey

For once, we were in the unusual position of actually having not one, but two proper keepers for the game. Ross padded up, giving Max a chance to play out on pitch. The Lawyers started well, our team visibly shaken by the lurid pink strip of the opposition, although without Matt Ogg betraying the ski club and playing for them this year. For the first 20 minutes or so, the Lawyers probably had the best of the play, eventually scoring the opeining goal. This seemed to kick start our team, and before the end of the half we stepped up and put three goals past the tiring opposition, Sam Topham opening the scoring (standard!), with Ollie and a slightly queasy Max putting us into the lead.

With token Welshman Dai on hand for a stirring halftime speech to make sure we didn't choke, and a game plan along the lines of 'it's cold, so keep running!', things were looking good. The opposition still looked like they could bring the game back, until Jonathan found some of last years goalscoring form with a lightning hat-trick inside of five minutes to take the game well beyond their reach. With the game as good as won there was some room to relax, Sam Topham adding yet another goal, arguably his best yet.

Final Score: NUSSC Hockey 7, Lawyers Hockey 1

Player of the match: As always, Sam Lunn is in contention for the player of the match, working harder than anyone else on the pitch, but this week Sophie Horsburgh was particularly impressive on the wing, building up attacks and setting up the goals in the second half.

A spectacular return to form, our superior fitness winning through in the end (that means keep it up, not don't do any more training!). We are now second outright in the league, only one point off top spot, but with a massive goal difference compared to the other teams. Yay!

The A Team vs. NUSSC Hockey

We were looking like fielding a strong team this week, but unfortunately both keepers were away again. Luckily Matt Ogg was on hand and, knowing every player on and off the pitch, managed to steal a keeper from the previous game. The opposition seemed to consist of entirely university team players, plus a small purple elephant, but this aside we got stuck in anyway. We even had some cheerleaders! The play was fairly even, but as always it was Sam Topham that broke the deadlock, finding the goal for his ninth of the season, sparking wild celebrations and a streaker on the pitch. As the half wore on, it became clear that our superior fitness and supply of substitutes (even hungover ones) were winning out and the opposition were struggling.

Although the match started a little later than planned, there was still time for the All-Star halftime show, this year featuring Basshunter and a risque cheerleader routine. NUSSC continued to take control of the game in the second half and were pushing ever further up the pitch, getting more and more scoring chances. A series of short corners were a good opportunity to extend the lead, but Matt and Ollie were both distracted by a zeppelin advertising Jaegermeister passing overhead and both forgot to shoot. In the end, a deflected shot from the keeper, the umpire and a passing UFO fell to Jonathan, who tucked a tight angle shot away to extend our lead. The opposition tried an occasional counter-attack but could not break through, although winning a short corner in the last minute. This was chased down to try to stop the shot, at which point *unexplained blank*

Final Score: NUSSC Hockey 2, The A Team 0

Player of the match: This week more than ever, Ollie Tunnicliffe stood out as simply the best player on the pitch.

*disclaimer* the author of this match report may have suffered head trauma during the game and hence some fine details contained herein may not be entirely accurate.

NUSSC Tuesday vs Denominators - Semi Final

The first of the Netball semi-finals was played this Tuesday and the whole team were feeling a little sore after our mammoth netball session on Sunday!
However, we dusted ourselves off and embarked on what turned out to be an awesome game!
Both teams played a very fast game and there were some silly mistakes but we were 14-4 up by the end of the first half!
The second half was another fine example of why we are the top of both leagues with excellent play from the attacking half of the team, despite some good defence from the opposition. Nina, Isy and Tori played extremely well together and managed to bring our final score to a whopping 28-7 and put us firmly in contention for the title!

Final Score NUSSC Tuesday 28 - Denominators 7

NUSSC Hockey vs. Agrics

Moving into the knockout stages, our quarter-final was against the Agrics. Unfortunately however, when the day dawned they simply couldn't field a team...the fact that many of them were current or ex-NUSSC players may have had something to do with it! Still, onwards to the semis!

NUSSC Hockey vs. Dribblers

There was a good turnout for the semi-final, and an enthusiastic crowd of supporters gathered at the side to cheer/heckle people on the pitch. Once the game got underway, it became clear that some of the opposition's play was perhaps just a little too slick for an intra-mural team. Nonetheless, we got stuck in anyway, but for the first half seemed a bit rusty, having not played together for a few weeks. Lots of passes and hits were not running well, and we were losing the ball all too often. Still, the only difference by half-time were two short corners scored by the opposition.

After the break, the orange slices made all the difference, and we looked like a different team. For the first five or ten minutes, we were dominating the opposition, and really looked like we come back and win it. However, the one thing we were lacking was some bite up front, and a few more short corners from the opposition had extended their lead. Even the late and desperate introduction of Jonathan (still under doctors orders not to be playing) to reunite the prolific strike partnership with Sam Topham (12 goals in 4 games between them) couldn't turn it around, although it did give the keeper a good workout in the closing stages.

Final Score: NUSSC Hockey 0, Dribblers 6

Player of the match: It's fast becoming a cliche, but Ollie put in so much effort in the middle, and up front, and in defence, and on the wings that he really deserves it once again.

The scoreline really doesn't reflect on the game itself, after a slow first half we were really playing well in the second half, but just couldn't turn the game around. The only real difference was the other team's short corner routine, accounting for 5 of their 6 goals (from 6 short corner attempts, the other shot hitting the crossbar). Still, semi-finals is a good result (one better than last year, where Dribblers knocked us out in the quarter-finals), we can look back happy on the season as a whole.