The inaugural Luke Buckingham Varsity Cup competition between Bridgwater College and Richard Huish College, Taunton, was a huge success and raised £417.76 for Bloodwise UK.
The varsity games were established as a remembrance to Luke Buckingham, Bridgwater College’s creator of Team BC Sport who sadly passed away in October 2015. The varsity was held in honour of Luke to showcase the values and impact his memory has left behind. The competition was contested over the best of three competitive and exciting sporting fixtures in netball, basketball and football.
First up was the netball, as both teams looked to get off to a good start. Team BC netball faced a great challenge in a Richard Huish side who were ruthless in attack, building a slender lead in the opening two quarters. In the second half of the fixture, Team BC attempted to build the intensity in their attempt to try and reduce the deficit, as good link up play between Alisha Gardener and Aerin Phillips worked well in scoring some important points.
View all photos from the Netball Match
The hosts showed great effort and gave everything on the court and despite some great blocks from defensive pairing Saskia Middleton and Rheanne Lee, Huish kept themselves in an uncatchable lead towards the end of the fourth quarter. The game finishing 26 – 44 to Huish, and they took an important 1 – 0 lead in the Varsity Cup competition going into the Basketball.
Basketball followed and produced an epic game, showing the values and spirit the competition was founded upon. The game began at an intense pace, one that was held throughout the duration of the tie. Team BC took a ten point lead over Huish going into the final quarter, with Joe Cattell contributing to his top scoring tally. But after the lead was exchanged in the final moments, the game was taken to overtime, with Rob Macintyre sealing the game from the free throw shortly before the buzzer. Final score: 71 – 67.
View all photos from the Basketball Match
With the Varsity Cup now all-square, it made the final fixture, football, a winner takes all under the floodlights at Bridgwater Town FC. Huish were the side to have the first chance of the game, as the ball was slipped past the keeper, centre-back Keelan Gunningham was there to clear off the line.
The first half remained goalless, but it was Huish who took their chance and put themselves one up within five minutes of the restart. As Team BC attacked the away goal, they lost possession in the final third which lead to a counter attack, with the Huish number nine clipping the ball coolly over an onrushing keeper. Team BC tried tirelessly, with Alex Male and Harry Horton trying to break down the defence in front of them but could not deny Huish shortly doubling their lead after an unfortunate Team BC own-goal.
View all photos from the Football Match
Harry Horton gave the home side a chance as he scored from the spot, but whilst Team BC went looking for an equaliser deep into stoppage time, Huish put the game to bed after a goal-mouth scramble to win the game 3 – 1 on the night and sealed the first ever Varsity Cup win.
Sam Reilly, Head of Sports, Outdoor Education and Public Services said,
“The standard of sports and the excitement of the day was outstanding and made a fitting spectacle for the Luke Buckingham Varsity Cup. It is truly inspiring to see students and staff from different colleges raise awareness of Bloodwise UK, allowing sport to unite people in a way that little else does.
“The inaugural Varsity Cup also allowed for the announcement of the Luke Buckingham sponsorship fund. This fund will make an incredible difference to students and allow them to fulfil their sporting potential.”
If you would like to know more about studying Sport at Bridgwater College or how to become part of Team BC please contact Information and Guidance on 01278 441234.
