University of Winchester teams have enjoyed one of their best seasons in BUCS (British Universities and College Sport) events, winning four regional league titles.
This was Winchester’s biggest haul of trophies post-Covid.
Men’s Football 2s team (pictured celebrating above) Men’s Hockey 1s and the Netball 2s and 3s all topped their leagues.
Football was the most dramatic win of the four. The Western Tier 4 fixture schedule threw up a decisive final match of the season between the two top teams at Winchester FC’s ground. In a seesaw encounter Winchester clinched the title with a 3-2 win over rivals HSU (Health Sciences University).
It was almost a league and cup double for the Netball 2s. The women won their Western Tier 5 league (ahead of Solent, Bournemouth, Southampton, Gloucester and UWE) losing just one match but were runners-up in the Western Trophy, losing to Cardiff in the final.
The Netball 2s Squad
Netball 3s won all their games as they topped Western Tier 6. The team’s captain and Wing Attack Olivia Chamberlain said: “I’m incredibly proud of everyone on the team, they have all worked so hard for themselves and for each other. It’s hard to single out anyone as they’ve all made vast improvements throughout the season.”
The Netball 3s Squad
Both netball teams have been promoted.
The Mens Hockey 1s
Men’s Hockey 1, who featured England Universities player Sam Nash in goal, also won all their matches on their way to claiming pole position in Western Tier 3, leaving Royal Agricultural College, Exeter, Southampton and Bournemouth in their wake.
The Men’s Dodgeball (Western Tier 1) and Futsal (Western Tier 2) were runners-up in their respective leagues.
George Watkinson-Biddulph, Vice President, Activities & Commercial for the Winchester Students’ Union, said: “Our BUCS teams have truly shone this year, with the most league wins since COVID, a testament to the hard work, resilience, and talent of every athlete in Team Winch and the University. I couldn’t be prouder of the determination and passion shown by our incredible teams; It has been the biggest pleasure getting to witness these special moments.”
Winchester fielded 24 teams across 10 sports in the BUCS Western region in the 24/25 season. In addition to the sports already mentioned, the University competed in Men's Badminton, Women's Badminton, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Women's Dodgeball, Women's Football; Women's Hockey, Men’s Rugby Union, Men's Tennis; Women's Tennis; Men's Volleyball and Women's Volleyball.
Football final fixture showdown
Second-placed Winchester went into their final game needing a win to clinch the title but the odds were against them as a draw would have been enough for league leaders HSU who had won the teams’ previous meeting 7-1. The visitors went ahead after five minutes but this served to calm Winchester nerves and the teams went in level at half-time thanks to an equaliser from central midfielder Lewis Watson.
Goals from striker and top scorer Krishen Montague and left winger Toby Mann gave Winchester a 3-1 lead before HSU pegged them back with a second goal to set up a tense last 25 minutes.
“When were 3-1 up it was just a great feeling but we were holding on for dear life at the end,” said Winchester skipper and right back Frank Gibson.
Pictured below the Men's Football 2s squad
