A dominant performance sees Nottingham University crowned 2024/25 BUCS National Trophy winners

University of Nottingham sweep aside Liverpool John Moores University in a 34-4 rout to claim the BUCS National Trophy.

Kicking off the rugby league action on BUCS Big Wednesday at Loughborough University, University of Nottingham Men’s 1st set about punishing Liverpool John Moores University Men’s 1st from the first minute. 

John Moores held out for 12 minutes before the Nottingham pressure finally told. After forcing a repeat set on the LJMU line, Freddie Ziegler powered over the line and raced unopposed under the sticks to open the scoring. Ben Price was disappointed to have missed a relatively simple kick, but he would have great success throughout the afternoon.

The Green and Golds of Nottingham continued to hammer the John Moores defence, and themselves restricted the sky blues to limited possession in their own half. Half-backs Elliot Martin and Liam Meek were forced to kick from deep on numerous occasions, meaning every Nottingham set started on the halfway line.

It seemed only a matter of when rather than if Nottingham would score next, and fleet-of-foot winger Lewis Howells expertly skipped past the despairing challenge of his opposite number Alfie Robinson to double the Nottingham lead. Price was successful with the boot and pushed his team into double figures with the first-half drawing to a close.

Nottingham still had time for one more score before the referee’s whistle signalled the end of the first 40. Iwan Stacy collected a neat offload, and despite John Moores shouts of a forward pass, the prop forward crashed over the line from a yard out and was given the referee’s seal of approval. Price, once again, adding the extras to confirm a dominant first half for the Green and Golds.

HT: Liverpool John Moores University Men’s 1st 0-16 University of Nottingham Men’s 1st

Nottingham took inspiration from their fellow Green and Golds of the Australian national team and were in no mood to relax or rest on their laurels. Centre Ben Bell-Thorn followed a pinballing football into the John Moores in-goal area and was the first to touch down onto the loose ball.

LJMU began to tire midway through the second-half thanks to the brutal and unrelenting Nottingham defence, and Angus McKinlay was the beneficiary of some tired Liverpool tackling. The Nottingham substitute outstripped Jack McGuffie to race home for another 4-pointer. Price nonchalantly chipped the ball through the posts for his easiest score of the day, turning 4 points into 6.

Nottingham captain Ziegler, who was influential on the day, bookended the Nottingham scoring as he strode from left to right, skirting the John Moores defence before going the long way round to grab his brace.

Perhaps sensing that their moment of glory was just seconds away, Nottingham left their right side of defence short, allowing LJMU to create a 5-on-1 attacking play. Centre Ben Foster raced over to get his side on the scoreboard in the final second of the match and avoid a scoreless game.

It would prove to be the most consolatory of consolation scores as the Nottingham celebrations had already started. The huge following from Nottingham had created a home-style atmosphere for their heroes on the pitch, and they were rewarded for their support as Ziegler lifted the trophy aloft.

FT: Liverpool John Moores University Men’s 1st 4-34 University of Nottingham Men’s 1st

Liverpool John Moores University Men’s 1st:

1. Jac McGuffie 2. Dylan Irvine 3. Ellis Keppel 4. Ben Foster 5. Alfie Robinson 6. Elliot Martin 7. Liam Meek 8. Ben O’Donnell 9. Griff Morgan 10. George Moffitt 11. Jude Lait 12. Joe Chadwick 13. William Swales 14. Oscar Halsall 15. Conor Travis 16. Tom Lewis 17. Joe Mountcastle

Tries: Ben Foster

University of Nottingham Men’s 1st:

1. Ben Price 2. Harry Holman 3. Freddie Ziegler 4. Ben Bell-Thorn 5. Lewis Howells 6. Zachary Humphreys 7. George Waghorn 8. Iwan Stacy 9. Jon Dessington 10. Max Balcombe 11. Ted Hooper 12. W. Enright 13. Harry Gray 14. J. Ford 15. Will O’Leary 16. Angus McKinlay 17. Josh Leyland 18. Oscar Palomino

Tries: Freddie Ziegler (x2), Lewis Howells, Iwan Stacy, Ben Bell-Thorn, Angus McKinlay

Goals: Ben Price (x4)

By Patrick Bratin