Newcastle Law School has a well-established sports scene with men’s rugby and football, mixed hockey and ladies’ netball all represented. These teams compete in the Universities Intra-Mural Sports Competitions, with a great deal of success. The men’s football team reached the final of the intra mural cup last year, whilst the mixed hockey and men's rugby won their respective competitions at the annual lawyers sports tournament last year.
There are plans this year to develop the sporting side of the law school further - increasing both participation and standards across the board. As usual the standout event of the year will be the lawyers sports tournament in March, which takes place in Manchester. Ask anyone who has been and they'll tell you it's worth signing up for a team for this trip alone!!
All teams enjoy a thriving social scene including themed fancy dress events, and this is not only a great way to keep fit but also to have a great laugh and make some new friends. All teams are looking to recruit new players for the upcoming seasons, so keep your eyes peeled for notices, and come to trials - all students from any degree, sporting background or skill level are welcome to come along.
If you have any questions or suggestions please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Leigh – Sports Secretary
leigh.whittaker@ncl.ac.uk
FOOTBALL
MATCH REPORTS
Wednesday 14/2/07
FC Barca-Law-na 3 : 1 Dyslexic Untied
This good-spritted derby between fellow title contenders Barca-Law-Na and Dyslexic Untied was a less than glamorous affair. However Barca won't be complaining as they continued their impressive unbeaten start to 2007 with an win against the league leaders.
The game started with Dsylexic applying early pressure, although attempts on goal were limited to long-range speculative efforts. However as Barca found their rhythm, their fluent passing produced several opportunities. It was a suprise therefore when Barca conceded from a breakaway Dysleic attack. The ever dangerous Dsylexic long throw enticed Barca keeper Carver out, and when the ball fell on the line an attempted clearance by Whittaker left the ball to trickle into the Barca goal. However it wasn't soon before Barca were level. Good build up play between McDonnell and Sassoon allowed Patel to round the keeper before cooly laying back to Wightman who placed his shot into the bottom corner. Barca could feel the game swing in their favour and sustained pressure resulted in several chances for them take the lead. More good approach play down the left saw Patel hit the post, and subsequently Whittaker slotted the ball into the back of the net after an unmarked run from midfield. Dyslexic had the opportunity to draw level after a controversial penalty, although the ball was balzed high and wide. This appeared to dampen the Dyslexic spirits, with Barca maintaining pressure forcing Dyslexic to make mistakes.
However the tide turned again with Dyslexic pressure leading to a goal mouth scramble and a succession of Dyslexic corners. These came to nothing and Barca sealed the victory they deserved when a run and cross down the left by Sassoon was met perfectly by Patel who slotted home from close range.
Man of the Match: Freddie Sassoon
Wednesday 22/11/06
FC Barca-Law-Na 5 : 1 Henderson B
In a game between two strong defensive teams, one may have expected the result to have been closer than it was, however a formation switch from the Barca captain ensured that his side's tactics were spot on, allowing his team to coast to glory and stretch their unbeaten record to 11 games in all competitions.
Barca asserted themselves straight from the whistle, with their three man central-midfield dominating the early exchanges. Law won everything in the air, whilst Whittaker was strong in the tackle and Wightman good with the ball at his feet. Good play down the left by Freddy Sassoon and Satch Patel brought about a free kick which was perfectly executed by Nathan Mcghee, picking out the un-marked Sam Wightman at the back post, who nodded in to give Barca an early lead. Henderson didn't appear to have woken up, and it wasn't long before they were picking the ball out of their net again. A quick break by Barca, and an inch perfect pass by Patel, put Wightman in again to double Barca's lead. Henderson then started to press the game and would have had a goal were it not for a superb save from the Barca keeper Will Carver. This miss would prove costly as on around the 30th minute a through ball by Sassoon was latched on by Patel who rounded the keeper and slotted in from a tight angle to take his goal tally for the season into double figures.
Just as it appeared that Barca would go into the half-time break with a comfortable lead, Henderson struck. Barca's defence, which must be credited for much of the teams success this year, failed to track a Henderson runner, and the resulting shot took a cruel deflection off Paul Cantwell and looped into the goal.
As the second half started Barca appeared edgey with the knowledge that conceding one more goal would make this a really tight affair. Henderson reacted to this and began to increase the pressure, forcing Barca onto the back foot to defend wave after wave of attack, although Barca and namely Joe 'the bod' were more than up to the challenge. Dan Mitchell worked well down with George Woodcock down the right , who's battering run through, rather than past, the Henderson defence went unrewarded. Just as it looked like Henderson could get back into this game, Patel struck again to all but kill off the challenge. A good through ball gave Patel time one-on-one with the keeper, and he picked his spot with real ease. As Henderson's heads dropped Barca dominated the final 20minutes, with Whittaker testing the keeper on several occasions. The introduction of Tom McDonell, Richard Cameron and Tom Agnew provided the fresh legs required in attack and defence respectively. Not long after his introduction, McDonell went close when his persistent run, and cheeky chipped shot rattled the upright. In the final few minutes, salt was rubbed in the Henderson wounds, as Mitchell's hard-work throughout was rewarded with a goal from a neat finish.
Man of the Match - Sam Wightman
Wednesday 15/11/06
FC BarcaLawNa 2 : 0 Garent A
This eagerly awaited old fashioned '6 pointer' lived up to all the pre-match hype, as Barca finally managed to get a win in the Wednesday league, although Garnet didn't make it easy for them. Both teams started the game cautiously, with the opening exchanges taking place mainly in the midfield. However Garnet had a good chance early on when a poor tackle, and resulting swing of the arm from Canty gave Garnet a free-kick on the edge of the box, which went just wide. At the other end Barca began putting some good passing together with Law and Wightman exerting their presence in the centre of Barca's midfield. As Barca's pressure grew, Sasoon had a great chance which was well saved and moments later shot wide from a tight angle when a pass to the dispairing Law looked certain to provide a goal. Just as half time was looming a great delivery from Nathan on the left was latched upon by McDonnell who acrobatically flicked the ball beyond Garnet's keeper. This appeared to wake Garnet up, who began to dominate, and after Armstrong was substitued following his sideline projectile vomit, Barca appeared to be hanging on. The second half started as the first had left off, with Garnet having several chances to draw level with Barca, although a combinatio of poor final third play, and good Barca defending maintained Barca's lead. The second half then descended into long balls and arial challenges, of which Garnet appeared to have the upper hand. However in the final minute Barca secured their win when Sasoons mazy run down the left and pin-point cross allowed Satch to score. Man of the Match - Freddie Sasoon
Saturday 11/11/06FC BarcaLawNa 2 : 2 Politics FC
In the first half, the game was evenly matched, although it was Politics who took the early lead with a little help from the wind and an unfortunate error by Barca keeper Carver. Barca upped thw ante but were caught cold went a cross from the right was met by a powerful header to give politics a two goal lead. However Barca didn't let their heads drop, and dominated the final 15minutes, with Barca unable to score following a goal mouth scramble. The second half started as the first ended, with sustained pressure from Barca. Their reward came when Satch was fouled in the penalty area and subsequently dispatched the resulting penalty. This appeared to rock politics who struggled to withstand Barca's growing pressure. Barca drew level with a towering header from Canty, and were unfortunate to have a seemingly legitimate winner disallowed in the final few minutes. Surely politics will be the more pleased of the two sides in this fixture.
Wednesday 8/11/06
FC Barca-Law-Na 0 - 0 Garnet B
On a day when the weather played a big part in the result of this match, Barca started the better with early pressure almost leading to a goal from Satch within 10minutes. Good work in the midfield from Wightman and Mitchell presented provided McDonnell with a great chance to put Barca in the lead, although it went agonizingly close. Whittaker almost gave Barca the lead, when Satch layed the ball off at the edge of the box, although the ensuing shot was well saved by Garnets keeper. The second half started well for Barca, with Law and Armstrong linking up well down the right, altough Barca were nearly caught on the break sevral times, only for Carver to save well, with help from defenders Canty and Joe. In a last ditch attempt Sasoon went on a mazy run down the left, although again Barca failed in the final thrid and were unable to convert the oportunity.
04/10/06FC Barca-Law-Na 2 : 3 Castle Leazes
There was much build up for this first game of the season, with these two title favourites lining up on the first day of the season. However you wouldn't have thought you were watching two of the better intra mural teams. The game was scrappy and barca's passing was not up to its usual majestic standards. This proved costly as Castle Leazes deservedly went ahead following a poor piece of defending. However this seemed to wake up Barca who began winning the 50-50 tackles and passing neatly through the midfield. Several chances went begging for Barca before Mitchell provided an inch perfect cross for new striker Charlie.
The second half started better for Barca, who appeared to be on top. Law and Wightman linked up well to provide Patel with a great chance to score, which went agonizingly close. The rivalry between these teams was evided as Rick (mentalist) Cameron started a one man physical and verbal attack on the entire Leazes team. Against the run of play, Leazes again took the lead, due to confusion in the Barca defence, and then poor defending minutes later allowed Ireland in to make in 3-1 to Leazes. However Barca's heads did not drop, and after a volleyed finish from Tom (honest!), Barca looked like nicking it. However Leazes managed to hang under a barrage of pressure for the last 20minutes to win the game.
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RUGBY
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NETBALL
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HOCKEY
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