C&S Update – cw8+9 – GRADUATE COMMON ROOM

After two busy weeks, here is another big clubs & socs update! Let’s look at the results from the numerous matches of the last two weeks first:

cw9 results1 — Results of the Ustinov matches in cw7.

cw9 results2 — Results of the Ustinov matches in cw8.

So many matches – and so many victories! The past two weeks have been pretty successful for Ustinov as a whole and we have now climbed up to the third to last place on the College Points Table. Well done, everyone!

190223 frisbee.jpg — Our frisbee team finally had their first victory of the season – wide smiles all around!

I went to watch the matches of six different Ustinov teams over the course of the last two weekends, so I have a lot of photos for you all! There is one match I would like to mention in particular: the Ustinov Volleyball team represented Durham in the Varsity competition against college teams from York Uni. They were the first to play in a long day of sports at Maiden Castle and started out with a confident victory, thanks to their excellent teamwork! In the end, Durham managed to defeat York and win back the varsity cup, so thanks to our team for their contribution!!

190224 volley.jpg — Ustinov Volleyball team playing as Durham A team at the Varsity against York!

And now for our first match report this week, brought to you by Men’s Football A vice captain Menno de Jong. The report is about the team’s final match of the season which I also went to watch!

Ustinov football’s A team holds breath after 1-1 draw

The men’s A football team needed a result in their last match against mid-table opponent Collingwood E to avoid relegation. Ustinov dominated the game, but things started to look grim when the team conceded a goal from a penalty kick at the end of the first half. In the second half Ustinov increased the pressure and did not lose hope after a missed penalty kick. 85 minutes into the match Ustinov got their reward and scored the deserved equaliser from a corner kick.

The 1-1 draw has put Ustinov for now above the red relegation line. But with several teams below them still having a match to spare, Ustinov’s football A team nervously awaits the results of upcoming fixtures.

Our team fought bravely despite the cold rain drenching everyone in the second half and I am very proud of their effort this year, even if they may end up being relegated. Well done boys!

190303 footballa.jpg — Wet but still cheerful – Ustinov Men’s Football A!

Our Women’s Hockey team also had their final league match of the season this weekend – and they ended with a bang! Hear about the match from captain Charlotte O’Brien:

A Storm of Goals

Even the heavy rain of Storm Freya couldn’t deter Ustinov hockey ladies. They followed their 1:0 win against Greys on Saturday, with an 8:0 whitewash of St Mary’s on Sunday. Ustinov dominated throughout the match, with the defence rarely troubled and Heather (GK) not even required to make a single save. Goals came steadily – 4 in each half. This season’s top scorer Laura S bagged another hat-trick, with Dee, Charlotte and Sophie also getting on the scoreboard. However, goal-of-the-match goes to Miriam. She powered her strike into the bottom corner with such gusto, that the move ended with a forward somersault – full marks for artistic effort! The team are hoping to carry their winning form into the cup run which starts this weekend.

This weekend’s fantastic results mean that our Women’s Hockey team ended up as third in the Premiership despite only having been promoted this year! I could not be prouder!

190224 hockeyf.jpg — Women’s Hockey team a week before the match described in the report – here they still had sun…

For many teams the season is now coming to an end: Badminton, Men’s Basketball, Men’s Football A, Women’s Football, and Table Tennis are all done already. Enjoy your well-deserved rest, everyone!

190302 basketball.jpg — Our Men’s Basketball team has unfortunately already been eliminated from their playoffs, but they still played a fantastic season: promoted into Premiership and managed to hold their place!

Other teams have their final matches this weekend, such as Men’s Football B, Ultimate Frisbee, and Volleyball:

cw9 matches.png — Upcoming matches for Ustinov teams in cw9.

A special case are Women’s Basketball, and our two Hockey teams: their league matches are over, but they are still participating in their knockout competitions! Our Basketball girls are in the semi-finals of the playoffs, and the Hockey teams are just starting out in their Trophy matches. Why don’t YOU head down to Maiden Castle and cheer for them this weekend?

190224 hockeym.jpg — Hockey Men after their exciting 2:2 draw against Hatfield. This was the very first hockey match I have watched!

If you take photos at any of the matches, please don’t hesitate to send them to me (cs.ustinovgcr@durham.ac.uk), I can always use material for these blog posts!