Today marks the first full day of the 50th Roses varsity tournament between the Red and White Roses of Lancaster and York. With 13 different sports competing for a share of 82 points on Friday, both teams can make great headway toward the elusive points total (163.5) which will secure the Carter James trophy for the winning university.
Already the Boat Club and men’s cricket 2nds have completed their fixtures, resulting in York taking a 12-7 lead heading into the main three days of competition.
Getting things underway on Friday will be the men’s and women’s cricket 1sts who shall begin proceedings bright and early at 10am. For the early risers that wish to watch, the two fixtures shall be contested at Lancaster Cricket Club for the men and Galgate Cricket Club for the women. The other morning sport that shall feature is the mixed badminton at 10.15am in the Sports Centre as Lancaster attempt to cut the deficit, early doors.
Throughout the early afternoon three rugby 7s and four indoor hockey fixtures shall take place from 1.30pm onwards, collectively offering 11 points to be put on the scoreboard. The rugby shall be showcased at the Sports Centre while the hockey shall take place inside, following the badminton.
In the mean time over on the tennis courts, from 2pm our Tennis Club shall begin their Roses chapter, with the mixed and men’s seconds serving for a total of 6 points. With a further 8 points on offer on Saturday, big strides can be made on the tennis courts in the pursuit of a Lancaster overall victory, this weekend.
The best of the College netball and pool league players shall fight it out in the college select fixtures to be played on the netball courts and in Barker House Farm at 3pm. Following the first netball competition of the tournament, the B league winners, Fylde, shall search for a remarkable 17th win of the year, facing York’s Derwent college at 4.30pm, who will be hoping to prevent another Fylde unbeaten year at 4.30pm. The final netball fixture of the day sees Fylde As challenge York’s James college at 6pm directly after the B league champions match.
All four of the men’s and women’s squash teams shall compete on the first floor of the Sports Centre at 4pm sharp, which should make for an electric atmosphere in the Sports Centre as the men’s 1sts indoor hockey (4.15pm) compete below the courts, in the main hall.
Lancaster’s 20/20 cricket side shall play at Lancaster Cricket Club after the conclusion of the 1sts match which begun earlier in the day. Starting at 5pm, this shall be the last cricket tie of the tournament.
At 6pm we have a number of top sports being offered around campus and further a field; the three indoor frisbee teams (mixed, open and women) shall seek to get a maximum of 6 points on the scoreboard. On top of the frisbee, the women’s and men’s pool shall begin an intense round of fixtures, two years ago Barker House Farm was bouncing with energy, so the pool will be something you definitely won’t want to miss! Although located at the Rossendale Ski Centre in Manchester, the Snow Sports Society will sure enough be vying for 12 crucial points at 6pm – make sure you keep an eye on the RosesLive stream, to find out how they’re getting on!
For some exciting, trampolining (mixed), head to the Sports Centre for 6.30pm to whet your appetite before the main event of the evening, the official Opening Ceremony at the Roses Stadium – in front of the Sports Centre. Kicking off at 8pm the men’s football 1sts shall follow the ceremony, with an expected audience of over 3,000, the men’s first football shall be hunting for three roses victories in a row and will definitely be one of the highlights of the weekend. Finally, the first day shall conclude with the mixed volleyball, which begins at 8.30pm in the Sports Centre an equally competitive fixture.
With a multitude of sport available to watch over the next few days, make sure you head down to cheer on Lancaster, for what will be a sensational 50th Roses. Put revision to one side, and let’s make this Roses one to remember.
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