In a match full of intensity and tough tackling, as befits the occasion, both teams elected to try and play out from the defence rather than hit it forward early, despite the adverse weather conditions.

While the approach will have please captain Jason Pilkington, who sought revenge for last years Varsity defeat, the result will not have.

Met started the game the brighter, winning the majority of the 50/50s and creating a few half chances. Their efforts were rewarded on 14 minutes as they took a deserved lead, after Met’s No.10 cushioned a header into the far corner from an excellent volleyed cross from the left-winger.

Spurred on from the goal they slowly began to assert the dominance, enjoying the majority of possession and creating two chances, one of which at least, should have been converted as the Met midfielder shanked his shot wide from the edge of the box. Another chance was smothered after a great defensive effort as Uni put bodies on the line to stay in the match. At half time the score remained 1-0.

Uni’s hard graft and endeavour began to pay off in the second half as they weathered the storm and enjoyed more possession of the ball. However they struggled to find the final pass and couldn’t turn possession into an equaliser. The closest Uni got to doing so was mid-way through the second half from a goal mouth scramble following a corner, yet Met managed desperately to clear their lines.

Met were more clinical in their chance-taking as their No.14 slotted home nicely from the edge of the box, past the oncoming keeper, after a defence splitting pass from their midfield.  With five minutes to go the result was beyond Uni yet there was just enough time for the Met captain, and Man of the Match, to extend the lead as he headed on a free kick which squeezed in by the post.

At full time Met deservedly ran out convincing 3-0 winners, a repeat of last years scoreline.

Joe Bookbinder

Photo courtesy of Jack Scates