Varsity 2025 was here, and the stage was set for an epic showdown between Huddersfield and Bradford. The tension was palpable, the stakes were high, and Huddersfield had one goal in mind: a threepeat. Would they rise to the challenge and dominate from the start, or would Bradford take the early lead?
Read on to find out how the day unfolded and whether Huddersfield lived up to the hype....
Day 1:
The first event of Varsity 2025 kicked off with Archery in the University Sports Hall. Huddersfield, led by Captain Evie Smith, competed in various categories, with standout performances from Mollie Bower and Abdurrahman Yusef. By the end, Huddersfield secured a solid win with 1713 points, outscoring Bradford's 1229 points.
Dylan Mistry reflected, "The first event of Varsity 2025 kicked off today with Archery in the University Sports Hall. Huddersfield started strong, dominating the competition. It's the momentum we needed."
Next up, the Climbing event took place at the University Sports Centre. Huddersfield’s climbers showed tremendous skill and perseverance. The event, which included various bouldering challenges, saw Huddersfield consistently outpace Bradford with strategic moves and well-executed climbs. Huddersfield's Sam Davies and Olivia Green delivered standout performances, pushing themselves and their teammates to new heights. Huddersfield finished the day with a decisive victory in Climbing, securing the first major points of the competition. Their victory marked an impressive start to Varsity 2025.
Day 2:
Day 2 saw Huddersfield take control with a stunning series of performances. Our athletes showed immense strength, skill, and teamwork, dominating across multiple events. Huddersfield kicked off the day with a 2-1 win in Cricket. Our cricket team played with strategy and precision, making great use of every opportunity to take the lead. The match was competitive, but Huddersfield's fielding and batting proved too much for Bradford, setting a strong tone for the rest of the day.
The Men’s Football 2nd Team came out on top next, bringing the overall score to 3-1 in a thrilling match. Our team showed incredible resilience and tactical play, with standout performances from the midfielders and strikers, who worked together to break down Bradford’s defence. This victory was a crucial moment in our comeback (by Liam Grainge).
In the Women’s Rugby Union, Huddersfield gave an outstanding performance, securing a dominant 4-1 win. Huddersfield’s forwards and backs played with intensity and unity, controlling the game from start to finish. Their physicality and well-executed strategies left Bradford with no answer, making this an impressive win.
The Women’s Badminton team continued Huddersfield’s strong run with a 5-1 victory. Our players displayed agility, quick reflexes, and excellent team coordination, making quick work of Bradford's challenges. Their determination was evident in every match, and they secured a well-deserved victory. As Jack Taylor wrote in his piece, "The Women’s Badminton side feels very confident about their games against Bradford’s rivals!” Nia, a Doubles 2 player, expressed her confidence going into the Varsity games, noting, “We are feeling confident as we have been very focused on improving our skills and strength." Despite some inconsistent results over the season, the team maintained high spirits and team cohesion, with Nia adding, "We’re feeling okay. We’ve not had the best season, but I think our spirits are high, and we feel confident." With all players available for the match, this is a huge confidence boost, and the home-court advantage in the Sports Hall will only add to the team's motivation. Nia explained, “I think we are comfortable with the home Sports Hall; obviously, we train there, and we know how the lights and the net heights can affect us, so it’s nice that we are comfortable.” Huddersfield’s Women’s Badminton team is ready to fight for victory and continue their strong performance from last year when they beat Bradford 5-3.
The Women’s Volleyball team took it to the next level with a brilliant 6-1 victory. Our communication and powerful serves overwhelmed Bradford, who couldn’t keep up with our pace. Every set was played with precision, and the crowd could feel the energy from our players’ confidence. The team’s spirit and skill were clear, with standout performances throughout the game.
The Men’s Badminton 1st Team extended Huddersfield's lead with a solid 7-1 victory. The team dominated the court with powerful smashes and quick reflexes, allowing them to maintain control throughout the match. Bradford struggled to break through Huddersfield’s defence, and the team’s performance was nothing short of impressive.
Huddersfield’s Men’s Football 1st Team delivered a strong win, making it 8–1 overall. Playing with speed, skill, and clinical finishing, the team kept the pressure on Bradford throughout, securing another vital point for Team Hud.
Liam Grainge wrote ahead of the game: “All eyes are on Wednesday morning as the football kicks off Varsity’s big day of fixtures. Both Huddersfield’s First and Second teams are looking to make it a three-peat against Bradford at Storthes Hall.”
Vice President and player Byron White said, “The mood in the camp has been brilliant.” Club President Luke Widdowson added, “There’s pressure, but getting the win early will lift everyone’s confidence for the day ahead.”
Standout player Tega Uwangho was praised as “an electric false nine, key to everything for the team.” And on the pitch—he delivered.
The Men’s Volleyball team carried on the momentum with a 9-1 victory. Huddersfield’s aggressive attacking and solid defence were too much for Bradford to handle. The victory came from excellent teamwork, great court awareness, and powerful attacks that left the Bradford team scrambling. As Jack Howarth reported, “We’re confident we are going to smash Bradford.” The confidence within the team was palpable, with the captain and players alike all showing unwavering belief in their victory. "Every training session from then has been for preparation for Varsity," said Daniel Stapleton, the team captain, who led them with great spirit. This confidence certainly showed in the team’s performance as they dominated the court.
Huddersfield’s Men’s Rugby League team dominated with a powerful 10–1 win. Their strength and tactical play shone through, shutting Bradford down and adding another big win for Team Hud.
Rowan Sykes wrote ahead of the match: “The University of Huddersfield Blue Ghosts are looking for revenge this year at Lockwood Park, taking on Bradford after last season’s 36–20 loss.”
This year, the teams faced off in a best-of-three 9-a-side format—an exciting first for Varsity.
Captain Ben Cawte-Davey said, “It’s something I’ve kept in the back of my mind. They all come from rugby backgrounds, so I’m confident they’ll know what’s physically demanded.” He added that Varsity is a different level: “It’ll be a big shock—uni rugby, the Varsity atmosphere—but hopefully they step up.”
With veterans leading the way, the Blue Ghosts delivered in style.
The Netball team made it 11–1 with a controlled and calculated performance. Huddersfield’s team passed with precision and defended with focus, ensuring that Bradford couldn’t get close. Their communication and teamwork were on full display, earning them the well-deserved win.
As Sophie Hall wrote in her pre-match piece: “The University of Huddersfield Netball team are taking on the University of Bradford in Varsity on Wednesday, hoping to secure another win for a second year in a row.”
She spoke to Hannah Hewison, vice president and GA on the Netball 2nds team, and Abi Lees, wellbeing officer and WD/GD on the 1sts. The interview gave a promising insight into the squad’s mindset—they were confident, focused, and ready to bring it home. With this being the last Varsity for many seniors, emotions were high and the pressure was on.
Last year, the 1st team took a commanding 57–38 win. This year, Huddersfield combined both 1st and 2nd teams for a united front. Across the BUCS season, they’ve secured 12 wins and 16 losses between them. Despite the stats, performances were strong and losses were often by narrow margins.
Abi said, “I am feeling really confident for Varsity, we’ve got a really solid team.”
Backed by tough training, regular BUCS matches and unwavering team spirit, the Netball team delivered—once again proving why they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Finally, Huddersfield’s Basketball team rounded off Day 2 with a dominant 12-1 win. Our players were quick on their feet, making fast breaks and scoring key points. Bradford couldn’t match the pace and intensity of Huddersfield’s offensive strategy, and the victory capped off a fantastic day for Team Hud.
After a tough start on Day 1, Huddersfield showed resilience, spirit, and an unwavering desire to win. With Day 2 ending with a 12-1 scoreline in Huddersfield's favour, we’re looking forward to more of the same as we head into Day 3!
And now, with three Varsity wins in a row, the question on everyone’s mind is: Will next year bring us our fourth? Sorry, Bradford—looks like you’ve got a bit of catching up to do! Stay tuned for more updates and, as always, show your support for Team Hud!
