Issue 149

Intra-Mural league kicks off...

20th November 2006

This years Intramural football league is made up of 16 teams from all parts of university life. Intramural football provides students with an alternative to the University BUSA league. The league was made up of four groups of four teams that have now been to split into two. There are eight teams that have made it to this year's top league.

Last years winners Alabama Young Boys gained the promotion with useful additions to last years squad. As the only team not to concede a single goal in the qualifying round the Alabama boys go through with a huge amount of confidence that they might retain the title. Captain Nick Whaites said "I think it is fair to say we are favourites for the league this year". With 26 goals in merely 3 games itis easy to understand the optimism in the squad. Yet there quite a few games that stand in there way before that time may come.

This years group D winners Engineering are only slightly behind them on the number of goals scored and hold high hopes for the following games. However hot on their heals are the runners up of their league Geography. The Geography boys started the season off with a disappointing defeat against Engineering losing 5-3. Steve James the Geography captain however is positive that after two convincing wins over 3 Simons and SUCU they stand a good chance of doing well in the league. "We are pleased with the way we have played with the way our qualifying campaign went. We are looking forward to continuing our good form in the top league." said the Geography football captain.

Other league contenders are the "mighty" Team Sloth AFC whose captain Martin White is running the league. His team have done very well this year as they enter the top league as winners of their group. The team has had an almost complete revamp as plenty of freshers signed for them at the beginning of this year. However it is the veteran players that have had the most influence with Chris Dawson scoring a hat-trick against the Dance Society. Confidence is ripe throughout the team and captain Martin is "hoping to regain the Intra-mural cup.

T.I.T.T.S Anonymous came through the qualifying round as runners up to Team Sloth. Their captain Ryan Evans states that "the team is gelling well, as we have a few new players we are looking a solid outfit" They have been in the league for the past 3 years, yet this year is their first taste of the top league. Despite their form to progress to the top flight they may well struggle against veterans of the top flight such as Engineering and Alabama Young Boys who between them have been at the top for a few years. Team Sloth have also fared well in recent years and will also give newcomers cause for concern. There is no mercy shown with the top teams who, if you are not at your best, will score a whole host of goals as has been shown in the group stages.

UWS 7ths were the runners up to Alabama Young Boys last season, although starting the season with a heavy defeat to the group winners the UWS 7th they managed to put 8 goals past Snake Pit City and 5 against Singleton Park. With man of the match often finding its way to Adam Kilner. He is a player that should be watched as his performances have been instrumental in the team's success.

As this year's top league begins it is looking extremely open. There are so many high scorers and players that have become invaluable to their teams that this year's title is going to be hotly contested. The level of scoring however indicates that the title could go to the team with the best defence. Teamwork will also be crucial as it will be interesting to see how the new blood mingles within the existing teams.

Make sure you check back to Waterfront to see how the leagues progess.

Cali Smith