Scorchers secure silverware

UCLan Scorchers Handball Club won their first ever trophy as our Women's team claimed victory in a tournament at Liverpool John Moores University.

Scorchers entered teams in both the Men's and Women's sections of the event which also saw John Moores, University of Liverpool, Manchester, Manchester Met and Bangor represented.

The ladies won their final 6-1 against University of Liverpool, with the highlight being Kimberley Fullwood's spectacular lob which put the team 3-1 ahead. Our Men's team were third after day one, having enjoyed victory over Manchester Met and a draw with Bangor. They eventually had to settle for 5th place, with John Moores beating Manchester in the final.

Chairman Nick Gaunt was delighted with both teams' efforts: "I'm incredibly proud of the achievements this club has made in it's first ever venture away from UCLan. After just three weeks of training we've achieved so much with no funding.

"I'm ecstatic the girls came away with a trophy, and I thank everyone for the effort they've put in to help us win. Our men battled very bravely on the final day with a depleted squad. Everything we do here helps us edge our way closer to full BUCS status. Handball is a huge sport with a massive fan base and it's time we got the recognition we deserve."

For further details about the club and how to get involved please email Nick Gaunt.

(Image permission: Surya Jonckheere)

BUCS round-up

UCLan Netball led the way in this week's British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) games this week with a trio of wins.

Our 1st team won at Manchester 2nd, while our 2nd and 3rd teams enjoyed victories at home to Keele 2nd and Cumbria 3rd respectively.

Men's Basketball 1st lost 64-63 at Northumbria 2nd, but Men's 2nd beat Cumbria 1st 95-45 and Women's 2nd won 55-50 against Leeds Met Carnegie 2nd.

Men's Hockey 1st and 2nd teams both lost, but Women's Hockey 1st beat Liverpool 2nd 5-0, while the 2nd team drew 0-0 with Manchester 5th. Men's Football 1st drew 2-2 at Liverpool John Moores 2nd, while the 2nd team lost 7-1 at Bangor 1st.

Men's Tennis 1st beat Liverpool John Moores 2nd 12-0. Men's Badminton lost 6-2 to Bangor 1st, but Women's Badminton 1st cruised to an 8-0 win over MMU Cheshire 1st. Squash 1st beat Lancaster 2nd 4-1, Women's Fencing 1st lost to Northumbria 1st, while Mens' Table Tennis 1st secured a 9-8 win over Lancaster 1st.

Cheryl shines for Scorchers

UCLan Scorchers ladies celebrate their success

UCLan Scorchers Handball club continued their push for BUCS recognition with a strong showing against Bangor University.

Cheryl Heard led the way for our Women's team in a 23-8 win, while the Men's team lost narrowly despite missing a number of key players.

Both teams are in action again this weekend as they travel to Liverpool John Moores University for a six-team tournament featuring the hosts, University of Liverpool, Manchester, Manchester Met and Bangor.

For further details about the club and how to get involved please email Nick Gaunt.

BUCS round-up

UCLan Ladies Basketball 1st team

UCLan's teams enjoyed a mainly successful time in the first full round of games in The British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues this week.

In Rugby our League team started their season in style with a 36-4 win at Cumbria 1st, but our Men's Union 1st lost 41-6 at home to Bishop Burton 1st.

Men's Football 1st beat Edgehill 1st 5-0, our 3rd team won 2-1 at Liverpool Hope 1st and the 4th team won 3-1 at Bolton 1st.

Men's 2nd lost heavily at Chester (Warrington) 1st, while our 5th team lost to a single goal to their 3rd team. Women's 1st lost 9-0 at Northumbria 1st.

Men's Basketball 1st cruised past Leeds Met Carnegie 2nd 89-59, Mens 2nd won 63-55 at Manchester Met 3rd and Women's 1st beat Manchester 1st 50-44. Netball 1st and 2nd both enjoyed home wins, while the 3rd team narrowly lost at Bangor 2nd. Our four hockey teams were all defeated.

Men's Tennis 1st beat Liverpool Hope 1st 12-0 and the 2nd team drew 6-6 with Huddersfield 1st. Men's and Women's Badminton 1st were both successful and Men's Table Tennis 1st won narrowly at Bangor 1st.

Men's Squash 1st lost 3-2 to Manchester 3rd, Liverpool 2nd Fencing beat our 1st team, but Women's Fencing 1st produced an excellent 106-43 win at Hull 1st.

UCLan Athletics team up with Harriers

UCLan Sport's Athletics team have announced a tie up with Preston Harriers Athletics Club.

The link will allow UCLan athletes to gain access to regular professional coaching with a view to improving results in a variety of competitions.

Spokesman Michael Smith says it's a massive move for the club: "We've been trying to link up for a number of years and I'm delighted we've been able come to an agreement. Our athletes will now be able to receive top class coaching and hopefully we'll see the benefits during the BUCS season.

"We started well last weekend with a strong performance in a relay style cross country event in Manchester. For the first time in the club's history we were able to field a women’s team as well as two men's. Our next race is in Edinburgh during November and we'll be competing across a variety of disciplines throughout the season."

For further information on UCLan Athletics club please email Michael.

BUCS round-up

The new BUCS season got off to a quiet start, with just two of our Rugby Union teams in action. In Northern Division 4A UCLan Men's 2nd team cruised to a 28-0 win against Lancaster Univeristy 3rd, while in Northern 1A UCLan Men's 1st slipped to a 44-0 loss at University of Liverpool 1st.

Next week sees UCLanSport teams in action across twelve sports. Highlights include our Men's Rugby League team travelling to face University of Cumbria 1st, Men's Football 1st welcoming Edge Hill 1st to UCLan Sports Arena and a first-ever game for our Women's Lacrosse team at University of Manchester 2nd.

UCLan Basketball reach for the top

With the new BUCS season just around the corner, UCLan Basketball are hoping for a productive 2013/14 campaign.

For the first time in the club's history they have three teams competing in the BUCS leagues and Chairperson Jordan Radwell is targeting success across the board: "I'm really excited about this season. Having three teams competing in BUCS highlights the strength of Basketball at UCLan.

"There's plenty of competition for places in our two men's teams, while we probably have enough players to field two ladies teams. Hopefully we can do that in the future. Our aim is to have all our teams playing in the top level of University Basketball within the next couple of seasons."

For more information check out the club's Facebook page or follow @UCLanBasketball on Twitter.

Women's rugby team target success

After narrowly missing promotion last year, UCLan's Women's Rugby Union team are looking to set the record straight in 2013/14. Established 15 years ago, the team are currently in Division 3A in the BUCS league.

Chairperson Sian Perrin thinks they can go one better this time around: "Last year we came second in the league losing only one match to Lancaster.

"We were three players down in the final minutes and only lost by a few tries. However, we did go on to beat them at Varsity in the following weeks when we had a full numbers.

"We have a good relationship with the Preston Grasshoppers, with some of our girls playing for them as well as UCLan. We also get some of their girls to come down and help out at training.

"Skill levels range from total beginners who have never played rugby before, to girls who've only ever played League and switch codes for the first time. This year we hope to win the league, be promoted and maybe introduce a Sevens team or even a second team.

"We're a huge family who are serious about rugby and have an exciting social side creating genuine friendships."

For further information about the club or if anyone wishes to join please email Sian.