Carnegie Netball cruise to BUCS title

by student sports reporter Joseph Fitzpatrick

Leeds Met Carnegie have won the Kukri BUCS Netball Premier North title for the second year running thanks to two dominant victories this week.

Leeds started the two-game week unbeaten in their seven fixtures this season, safe in the knowledge that the title was theirs to lose, and with two victories required to mathematically secure insurmountable status Anna Carter's team had an opportunity to retain their title within three days.

If Carnegie harboured any nerves going into this week they were quickly dispelled by a resounding 49-32 away victory over fourth placed University of Durham on Monday, in a game rearranged from before Christmas.

This result set up a title deciding contest against fellow Fiat Superleague affiliates Northumbria at Headingley on Wednesday- however the game never came close to fulfilling the drama such an occasion promises.

Leeds dominated from start to finish, never exceeding third gear and their win and subsequent title were never threatened. Carnegie looked a remarkably improved team from the start of the season, and whenever they did lapse into error they possessed the skill and application to swiftly recover the ball, almost as if it was an insult for Northumbria to be in possession.

The ease of the occasion was summed up best by Leeds Coach, Anna Carter's confidence and ability to reside over her team with new-born baby in arms.

Two dominant and title clinching wins in the week preceding the start of the 2011 Fiat Superleague will instil confidence that they may just be able to assume the role of dark-horse this season, and failing being drawn against Loughborough in the play-offs Leeds look set for a second consecutive BUCS National Championship final appearance.

In other BUCS results yesterday there was an emphatic win for the men's rugby union side who triumphed over Newcastle 39-3 whilst their rugby league counterparts could only manage a 16-16 draw away to Northumbria.  Men's lacrosse beat Lancaster 13-7 whilst there were also wins for both the men's and women's badminton sides.  The women's basketball team beat Loughborough 80-63 however the men's side lost out to Worcester 72-82.  Men's hockey picked up a 2-1 victory at home to Durham whilst the women's side drew 2-2 with Birmingham.

For a full set of results from all yesterday's fixtures please click here