While for most of the BUCs teams this week is cup week, a huge title crunch match will be played out at the Gryphon Centre.
Lining up at 5.30, the Netball game between Leeds and Manchester promises to be a real thriller for anyone who needs some excitement after a long day of lectures.
Leeds currently sit three points behind Manchester in the Premier North, and a win for Leeds would ensure that this would remain a two-horse race for the title, as both North West teams have pulled away from the rest of the pack.
The ladies will be looking to step-it-up on Wednesday following a great run recently, recently beating North East rivals Northumbria and Newcastle in the league.
The remainder of our home games in focus this week are in the knockout competitions, as both the Women’s Basketball and Men’s Volleyball line up against West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield this week.
The similarities between these two fixtures do not end there. Having endured average starts to the season – each sitting in mid-table in their league – their opponents for the cup also sit one spot below them in the league.
In order to progress to the next round, this early-season form will have to be kept up.
The luck of the draw has shone much more kindly on the Hockey 2s. Although their league clash with Huddersfield earlier this season had ended 10-0, they will be more satisfied with the draw they received than with their neighbours.
While Volleyball and Basketball will have their work cut out to progress, the Women’s Hockey 2s may not be worrying so much, as they line-up against Northern 5A’s Bangor 2s on Wednesday.
Currently in a strong league position in the Northern 2B, the ladies will be expecting to dominate this fixture.
Conversely, in what will be one of the toughest cup ties of this week, the Men’s Football 1s take on their Northern 1A nemeses Sheffield in the last 32 of the BUCS MARS Trophy.
A mediocre start to the season means Leeds are looking up at their opponents in the League, as they sit on top on 12 points.
Managing only 6 points and sitting in 4th so far, should they bag a surprise victory this week, Leeds may wish they could have those points in the league instead.
For more information on BUCs venues, times and fixtures, visit http://www.leedsgryphons.com/
Jamie Kirby
Image courtesy of Alice Greenfield