Durham delivered the perfect performance to cause a shock in the BUCS Women’s Championship final to beat previously undefeated University of Nottingham 13-8 and take the BUCS title back to the North East.
UoN were going for a third Championship in a row after wins in 2022 and 2023 and came in off the back of a previously immaculate 2024 campaign which had included two wins against Durham in their league campaign.
However, as the game went on, UoN had little answer to Durham’s composed and incisive attack play while at the other end they encountered an inspired display from Durham goalie Eleanor Williams who recorded 12 saves in taking the match MVP award.
It was UoN who made the early running in a high intensity start to the game, going two goals ahead through Charlie Bell and Rachael Ball before Durham responded with Karma Kabbani and Aya Magee levelling things at the ¼ time.
Ball was back in the goals at the start of Q2 with a double to restore UoN’s two-goal advantage but Durham doggedly restored parity again through Millie Cant and Alexis Parker.
Durham decided to make the most of that momentum in really then turning the screw on UoN either side of half-time, spearheaded by Molly Light who picked up two goals and three assists in a 20-minute period, (Light finished the game with with 3G, 4A), and put daylight between the sides.
10 of Durham’s 13 goals were assisted, their players able to consistently pick out cutters throughout the match while combinations of Cant, Light and Bella Streule off the draw were also extremely effective in gaining possession during their periods of dominance.
UoN did continue to chip away scores of their own but Williams’ performance between the posts denied them the chance to gain any real momentum and Durham took a four-goal lead going into the final quarter at 11-7.
Kat Kelley pulled a goal back at the start of Q4 for UoN but they were never able to threaten a real comeback, Cant and Light each adding another goal as Durham managed the remaining time well before kicking off their celebrations on the final buzzer.
Box Score: 2:2; 6:4; 11:7; 13:8
Durham Points: Molly Light (3G, 4A), Millie Cant (3G), Alexis Parker (2G, 1A), Isla Duguid (2G), Issy Devine (1G, 1A), Bonnie Russell (2A), Bella Streule (2A), Karma Kabbani (1G), Aya Magee (1G)
UoN Points: Rachael Ball (3G), Izzy Brand (1G, 1A), Charlie Bell (1G), Emma Savage (1G), Alex Cant (1G), Kat Kelley (1G), Ana Green (1A), Nina Sherwen (1A)
MVP: Eleanor Williams - Durham
Durham were also on the receiving end of a shock of sorts as their women’s 2s also lost their season’s undefeated record as they were overpowered by Exeter 2s in the Women’s Trophy final.
Amelie Judge (4G) and match MVP Charlotte Sawicki (3G, 1A) led the point scoring for Exeter, who always kept themselves ahead in the contest despite strong spells for Durham who had the deficit at just one goal in periods.
Exeter regained control in the second-half, extended the lead to five goals at one point which was enough to ensure they would see out the match for the win and take home the Women’s trophy.
Box Score: 5:3; 8:7; 12:7; 13:10
Exeter 2 Points: Amelie Judge (4G), Charlotte Sawicki (3G, 1A), Lily Johnson (2G, 1A), Hannah Taggart (2G), Georgina Rattson (1G), Coco Harpin (1G)
Durham 2 Points: Abbie McDowell (3G), Amy Baxter (2G), Jaz Torevell (2G), Bo Williams (2G), Olivia Jackson (1G, 1A), Emi Magee (1A), Martha Kendall (1A)
MVP: Charlotte Sawicki – Exeter