Rugby Union: Huge Conference Cup victory for holders Bangor University

CONFERENCE CUP SECOND ROUND

UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD 2ND XV 0 BANGOR UNIVERSITY 69

Conference Cup holders Bangor University stormed on in this season’s competition with a try-packed win in South Yorkshire which included the bonus of a beautiful clean sheet.

Fly-half Eloise Kirby was incredibly proud of the team’s performance against the University of Sheffield 2XV, especially in the mentality which the players took onto the pitch.

She said: “We had the opportunity to try out a lot of new plays and the confidence to do so really grew throughout the game.”

Kirby went on to highlight the team’s resilience, especially in pursuit of positive execution, and was particularly impressed with the players’ ability to “keep going when things didn’t quite go to plan”.

Full-back Holly Aitchison, was most impressed with the players’ ability to take on board what they have learnt in training and implement it within the game.

“The players are really listening to what is being said in training and it’s began to pay off within our games, not only in skill and play, but in the mentality the team attack and defend with,” she said.

Both Aitchison and Kirby were incredibly proud of the backs, offering commendation to all whilst awarding Erin Mulvey particular praise.

Mulvey, captain of the Women’s football team at Bangor, joined the rugby team this season and proved with no doubt how deserving she was of Back of the Match.

With a calm and confident performance in the attack, a level head in the defence, and four difficult conversions scored, the coaches cannot wait to see her continue to shine, both in rugby and football.

Sofie Morgan was awarded Forward of the Match for her performance, a well deserved title.

Having won the Conference Cup in April, the hunger to remain triumphant has certainly proven a driving force for the team. With the infusion of talent from the 2023 freshers, the excitement for what may come from the 2023/24 season is palpable.