Newcastle University

This Wednesday evening saw the first finals night of the academic year, with 7-a-side heavyweights Jagerbomb FC collecting the Term 1 Trophy.

Often overlooked in favour of the 11-a-side game, 7-a-side football is growing in popularity “We’ve got enough team entries to fill the tournaments twice over, all year round” says a delighted Nick Beall from the University Sports Centre “it is a great game to play, and something different for us referees”.

Like other intra-mural sports, the 7-a-side tournaments throw up their own creative team names. In Wednesday’s two semi-finals Jagerbomb FC faced Smegma, whilst 11th Heaven took on Notinurmums Forest. In the first semi-final, Jagerbomb fired on all cylinders. Fast flowing attractive football was the order of the day, orchestrated impressively by Sanj Pugar, as Jagerbomb passed their way to a 4-0 half-time lead. Smegma reorganised and were able to compete in the second half, but the game was over and with a final to play soon after, the Bombs were able to conserve energy. Smegma did force a late consolation goal to make it 4-1 but when the whistle blew, the high fives were all from a Jagerbomb side confident of victory in the final.

Notinurmum’s Forest were forced to work much harder for their win against 11th Heaven. Although the previous meeting was a 3-0 Forest win, 11th Heaven fought hard in a competitive semi-final dominated by two strong defences. Alex Auld’s first half strike was the only difference between the two sides taking Notinurmum’s Forest through to face Jagerbomb.

Waiting for the kick-off, Jagerbomb were keen to start the mind games. Facing a Forest side sporting Newcastle United shirts, “Come on Sunderland” was the cry. “You’ll never win now!” retorted the charismatic Newcastle fan and referee Steve Catchpole. The exchange epitomised the spirit in which intra-mural is played and the positive relationship between players and officials.

It was a cagey opening to the final, with Forest providing the first warning shots on the Jagerbomb goal. However, the game turned on a moment of brilliance, proof if any was needed, that intra-mural is not all about friendly football. Jess Walklin picked up the ball with his back to goal, under pressure on the left touchline. Wriggling away from two men, and jinking his way inside, Walkin released a right footed curler that swung emphatically into the top corner from 20 yards. 1-0 Forest and suddenly a Jagerbomb side that cruised into the final unbeaten were under real pressure. The nerves began to show and tempers flared as Forest refused to let the Bombs back into the game. Their reliable defence was supported by the imperious Matt Smalley in goal as they took their 1-0 lead into the half-time break.

Whilst Forest’s resilience continued into the second half, Jagerbomb had found their stride. Smalley found himself being tested regularly, but Forest were up to the task and found themselves 1-0 up with 15 minutes remaining.

It was at this point that the Leddington-Hill brothers stepped up their game. Perhaps the hard-work Forest put into their semi-final was beginning to show on the pitch. Jagerbomb looked fresh and hungry for goals. Matthew showed quality on the ball to slip a pass through to his brother, Phil, who made no mistake in finishing from close range to make it 1-1 at last. The momentum that had been building throughout the second half had shown and it showed no signs of relenting. Scorer turned provider, and this time it was Phil Leddington-Hill assisting his brother Matt to stroke the Bomb’s into a 2-1 lead 10 minutes remaining. It could have been more, as Forest battled hard but simply could not deal with the quality Jagerbomb were now showing on the ball. The diminutive Phil Leddington-Hill ran a tiring defence ragged and made it 3-1 late on to secure victory.

When the final whistle blew, Phil could have had a hat-trick and Matt was left suffering the taunts of his team mates, dragging a simple chance wide from 5 yards in the final minutes. The captain didn’t mind “I swear the defender got a touch” he joked, “I think the best side won but it was a close match and they are a great side”

The players were delighted to receive their medals off the venerable Nick Beall from Newcastle’s CPRS who thanked them for their efforts “After a great final I think the best side won in the end. Jagerbomb have a great history in the competition and after the dominance in winning Term 1,2 and 3 in 2009/10- they must be hoping to do the same this year. I thought we were going to see the tournament won by the goal of the tournament but it wasn’t to be. Forest will be hoping to go one better next term”.

The ecstatic winners left Longbenton eager to sample some of Newcastle’s famous Wednesday nightlife. We can only guess what they’ll be drinking.

Richard Stanyon