Issue 153

BUSA beckons

26th February 2007

With the BUSA season reaching its latter stages, Swansea University has nine teams that have advanced to the knockout stages in six different sports.

The men's badminton firsts find themselves up against University of Gloucestershire firsts. The teams have already met twice earlier in the competition with both teams taking a home victory.

With Chris Lewin's team at home he knows that they have every chance of advancing to the next stage where they could meet Bath or Surrey.

The women's badminton firsts face their counterparts from University College Chichester hoping to find some consistency after some mixed results. Things could look bright if they can find the kind of form that saw them win 8-0 twice and 7-1 twice earlier on in the season.

In fencing, the men's firsts face a stern test away at Reading who have won all but one of their ties. Coming off the back of two wins in a row, Swansea will have to be at their best to catch the hosts off guard and try to seal an encounter with either Oxford or Keele.

The female fencers have had an excellent season with seven wins this season and are set to host a University of Bristol side who have lost six.

The football firsts come into a tie with Lincoln full of confidence having finished third in the table. Captain Tom Hopper knows his players are at an advantage with their opponents having a long distance to travel. If they progress, Hopper's troops face either Loughborough or Strathclyde in the next round.

In squash, the men's firsts come into their game at University of the West of England on the back of three consecutive 5-0 wins.

Progression could see them meet Cardiff who have already defeated them twice so the team will need to be on their toes.

The male volleyball team face a stern test in the form of University of Sussex, a team who have won their last six games. If they get through the team could face another tough task against Plymouth.

Remaining undefeated throughout the season, the women's hockey team must feel confident about their tie with Exeter, UWIC and Chichester await.

Each team has a realistic chance of success in this late stage of competition, having done well to get this far. The wide range of sports Swansea University has succeeded in pays testament to the excellent facilities available to students for countless pursuits.

Most teams are always on the lookout for new talent so why not give it a go yourself? Information about Swansea University Athletic Union can be found at http://www.suau.co.uk/ or simply by popping into their office at the back of Fulton House.

Andy Williams