Pompey Uni sinks Navy
On the 19th May at HMS Temeraire sports ground, sportsmen and women from the University of Portsmouth laid waste to challengers from the Royal Navy. The events on the day were male and female football, mixed hockey and volleyball, netball and the much anticipated crowd-drawing rugby clash. In all of the clashes, the university was victorious.
Uni footballers playing to win. Photo by Sarah Jackson.
In the first of the day’s matches, the much extolled female football team from the university trounced the Navy’s team, winning by a staggering eleven goals to none. Speaking at half time to UPSU.tv the team’s captain Kirsty White said: “We are very confident about the win, seeing as it is already seven-nil. This is a good thing for us however, as it is kind of a warm down game for us; a good chance to get on last game together in before some of us [third year students] have to leave the Uni.”
Next up was another astounding performance in the mixed Hockey game, which the university won by five goals to four despite having been down three goals to one at half time. Volleyball was more of a simplicity, the university sealing a comfortable two-nil win with consummate ease. The university netball team replicated the achievements of the female football, devastating their opponents fifty one to fifteen, the crowd even participating in a ‘Mexican wave’ for the cameras of UPSU.tv.
Finally, the rugby match commenced at the same time as the intense male football clash. There was a good crowd at the male football, although the much anticipated rugby match drew a huge amount of spectators and a great atmosphere. Football was more of a contest though, with the lead changing hands throughout the game. Again though, as in the mixed hockey game, the university competitors roused their spirits, resulting in a clear four goals-to-two victory. So to rugby, the pinnacle and climax of the day’s events; but a competitive spectacle it was not to be, although it was a spectacle of a different kind. The crowd drank from the well-stocked cooler, feasted on the well cooked BBQ grub and basked in the baking sunlight as the University obliterated the Navy boys sixty nine points to zero.
The day was a resounding success and a massive victory for the University’s sport clubs, highlighting the quality of its athletes. Special thanks should go the Navy; HMNB Portsmouth, who made the day a huge success with their enthusiastic participation.
A highlight video of the day’s events was shown at the Purple Wednesdays night at Highlights nightclub on the same day, and is also available for viewing at UPSU.tv.
