The start of the new academic year marks a new season in the George Wyatt cup in which each college battles it out to see who is the unrivalled king of the bar sports. The George Wyatt cup consists of six events; Men’s A’s and B’s Pool and Darts, Women’s Pool and Darts and Mixed Dominoes.
Bowland are the current holders of the cup after a convincing victory last year that included three separate team wins; Men’s Darts, Women’s Darts and Women’s Pool. The other three events were won by Graduate in the Men’s A’s Pool, Lonsdale in the B’s Pool and Cartmel in the Dominoes. However, there will be plenty of colleges challenging for both individual honours as well as the overall George Wyatt cup this time out.
Men’s Darts
Bowland won the Men’s Darts last year in what was a hotly contested league with 5 teams pushing for top position. After finishing second and third respectively I expect Pendle and Cartmel to drop a little from last year’s positions suffering from the loss of key players. Lonsdale will be pushing hard for top spot again having lost only two of ten players from last year and if they improve on their consistency they will be right up there this year. Should Graduate acquire a few players with Roses and University experience as they go onto do their Masters or PhD’s they could mount a serious challenge for the title. However I think in spite of this Bowland will hold onto their crown as the best Dart’s team on Campus.
Men’s Darts: Bowland
Men’s As Pool
Graduate look as strong as ever and will be looking to hold on to their title, while you can never bet against Bowland. However Lonsdale are hoping to finally step up to the plate under the tutelage of last year’s winning Roses captain Lee Osborne, with seven of their nine players from last year’s team remaining and one or two of last year’s successful B team ready to step up to the A’s. For those reasons I tip Lonsdale to prise the Men’s A’s Pool trophy away from Graduate.
Men’s As Pool: Lonsdale
Men’s Pool Bs
A much harder league to predict than the other two leagues before, as you can have no real idea of who will be playing for these teams. Last year Lonsdale’s strength in depth came to the fore with a very narrow league win over Pendle. However with last year’s Captain John Davies stepping up to the A’s and losing two or three key players it will be a difficult task to maintain the title. I expect both Bowland and Lonsdale to be at the top end of this league again being pushed all the way by Pendle.
Men’s Pool B’s: Bowland
Women’s Darts
Last year this was a fantastically close league with Bowland and Pendle tied on points come the end of the season with the league winners being decided in a playoff which Bowland won 6-1. These two teams will be right up there yet again with Cartmel pushing hard for third place or perhaps even better if they can turn around a few of their 4-3 losses to 4-3 wins this year. Pendle will continue their fine form from the latter half of last season and go on to take the title this year.
Women’s Darts: Pendle
Women’s Pool
Bowland absolutely dominated the league last year right from the start and will be tough to beat again this year. Lonsdale fought bravely in their push for the top; however their hopes were dashed as Bowland recorded a magnificent 7-2 win away at Lonsdale to all but secure the league. Lonsdale will push even harder for the league this year, but I expect Bowland to triumph. I believe Cartmel will have a much improved season this time round, with a bold bid for a top three finish.
Women’s Pool: Bowland
Dominoes
Finally, by far the hardest league to predict; although there are elements of skill involved there is a huge amount of luck, and as such it is almost impossible to predict a winner. Cartmel got off to a fine start last year and just about held on to clinch the title and will be there or thereabouts again. I expect Furness, County and Bowland to be pushing for top position in what is normally a very fiercely contested league. County will build on last season’s position and go on to take the hotly anticipated title.
Dominoes: County
Overall George Wyatt Top Three Prediction: 1st Bowland, 2nd Lonsdale, 3rd Pendle.
