Lancaster University celebrates 50 years with victory at Roses 2014

Lancaster celebrated its 50^th birthday by beating rivals York 164-120 at Roses this afternoon.

The result was confirmed at around 2.15pm, when Lancaster’s women’s basketball team beat York’s 62-27 and secured the four points needed to take victory in the annual sports tournament.

Although the game had been close towards the beginning Lancaster had the edge, and by the time it was announced that just 3.5 points overall were required to see Lancaster win Roses the basketball’s second half was underway and Lancaster had pulled convincingly ahead.

Lancaster University Students’ Union (LUSU) Vice President for Activities, Emily Pollitt, who organised the competition, tweeted that she was “unbelievably proud” after victory was announced:

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She later told The National Student that LUSU was “so excited to have won (the) 50^th Roses tournament against York” and that “all out teams have put in so much effort… we are very proud.”

After the win, Lancaster women’s basketball Captain Damla Tonuk told Lancaster student paper SCAN that the team was “really proud to play for the uni” and that they had proved themselves by “winning a tough game.”

Coach Matt Covre called the win “awesome” and added that he was “really proud of them. It was the biggest game of their lives.”

Many of the team are about to graduate and were playing for the last time today.

It is the 24^th time Lancaster has won the competition. York has taken the trophy 25 times, with one draw in 1974.

The win means a double celebration for Lancaster, which is celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2014. The university was officially opened in 1964 by HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent, and the first Roses tournament took place the following year. It is now the largest inter-varsity sports tournament in Europe.

The home win also sees the Carter James trophy make the journey back across the Pennines, after York’s victory in 2013.

Other standout moments from Sunday included an exhilarating show in the men’s basketball, an unexpected bout of “Viennese Waltz musical chairs” courtesy of the ballroom dancing that was taking place in the Great Hall, and Lancaster’s Chancellor Chris Bonington trying his hand at bowls.

Although the tournament was won by the early afternoon, the remaining games continued to take place and by close of play on Sunday the score was 183.5 – 142.5 to Lancaster.

Students were kept up to date with the scores all weekend with coverage from Lancaster’s student paper SCAN and radio station Bailrigg FM, and York’s student media outlets Nouse and York Vision.

Lancaster’s television station, LA1:TV, created a bulletin celebrating the red rose’s victor – watch their YouTube announcement here.

You can see all the Roses 2014 results at www.roseslive.co.uk

Lancaster University celebrates 50 years with victory at Roses 2014

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