Fisher Shield Girls Basketball: St Pauls vs St Marks

Keep up-to-date with the victories, the losses, and the dates of upcoming matches between James Cook University students and their rival colleges, faculties and fellow peers in the numerous sporting competitions held throughout the semester.

By Gabrielle Vacher.

Fisher Shield:
The Swimming Carnival held on Saturday 8th March was the launch of the 2014 Fisher Shield, a year-round
competition challenging college students to contest on the sporting field and on the stage later during the
year.

John Flynn College conquered the carnival.

“Our star swimmers were Will Lane and Sidony Miller-Waugh, who had previously swam at a national level,
plus Tom Richards and Annabel Fraser who competed at state,” John Flynn College Sporting Rep, Sky
Brunker says.

“As indicated by these students’ status we dominated in most events, however the boys did have some
tough competition from the other colleges and weren’t able to take out first.

“The girls ended up winning the entire competition and thanks to the tremendous effort put in by everyone,
John Flynn was able to take out the win for the first Fisher Shield event.”

Fisher Shield Basketball culminated last Wednesday 18th March after George Roberts Hall was defeated in
both the male and female finals by University Hall and Saint Marks.

“It sucks, of course. This would’ve been our sixth year winning the grand final.

“Saints won because of their offensive rebounds, as well as their transition basketball.

“Although we shut down some of their transitions we couldn’t convert it at our end of the court,” captain of
the George Roberts Hall female basketball team Katii Batty says.

“Special mention to Saints team captain Althea, for taking charge on the court by creating their offensive
moves and dictating the game.

“From our team, Steph Clay played exceptionally for only her second time on the basketball court.

“As vice-captain of our team she stepped up and helped lead the girls by example. She put her body on the
line repeatedly and was always hungry for the ball.”

Those who are interested in witnessing the remarkably fierce competition of intense college rivalry and impressive sporting prowess are welcome join the college crowd at the JCU pool for Water Polo on Saturday 29th March.

Alternatively, watch the guys and the girls get rough on the JCU Oval in the first game of Fisher Shield Rugby next Wednesday 2nd April.

Inter Faculty Sport:
Ever pondered over who would dominate in a sporting match between Vet students vs. Law students?

Would the Education students beat the Engineering students?

Are the Exercise Science students a sure win against the Medical students?

Inter Faculty touch continues on Wednesday 26th March.

Support your fellow classmates or put your curious mind at ease and watch the finals on Friday 28th March to
determine which faculty is the quickest and nimblest on the touch field.

Social Sport:
Combining the guys, the girls, the university students and the general public, social sport is in its third week
of contest.

There is sport suited to every preference with soccer, touch, netball and basketball held every Monday night,
and volleyball and tennis held every Thursday night.

Social Sport continues until the end of the semester providing plenty of opportunities to put down the books
and relax watching local competitors contend in your favourite match.

.    A rowdy University Hall ‘wolf pack’ and tight competition made for a thrilling Fisher Shield netball grand final night at the university courts last Thursday, August 30.

VICTORY: University Hall celebrating the women’s team win

By Laura McKee

St Mark’s and George Roberts men’s netball teams battled it out in a physical match that ended with George Roberts on top with a final score of 19-15. But a double George Roberts win wasn’t to be, as the women’s grand final game was taken by University Hall (29-20) in a passionate game against their rivals.

Men’s Report

PHYSICAL GAME: Competition favourites St Mark’s was defeated by George Roberts

St Marks was the men’s competition favourite but multiple turnovers and obstructions cost them the victory. They were down (16 to 7) at three quarter time but fought back in the last quarter, scoring eight points to finish the game.

Goal shooter Jack Perry shone for St Marks, scoring the most points, but it was David Clerke who was awarded Player of the Game.

George Roberts went into the grand final game hungry for the win, with a strong passing game feeding into the shooting circle.

Wing defense Ryan ‘Pumpkin’ Larry was outstanding, and goal attack Taylor Schmidt scored 13 out of the team’s 19 goals, putting on an impressive attacking display. Michael Saunders was awarded Player of the Game.

George Roberts’ goal attack Steven Batty said he was proud of his team who lost previously to St Marks in the round games.

“We started pretty slow with two losses but made our way through the comp and knocked out John Flynn yesterday and won the grand final today – it feels pretty good,” he said.

“We are a pretty tight knit team and we’ll all go for a beer now and have a bonding session.”

St Marks player Peter Ford said his team could have done better but he was happy with their efforts.

“We played the last quarter well but had a terrible first three quarters,” he said.

“Whenever we get into a final that’s not rugby it’s pretty special because it’s unusual.”

Women’s Report

FIGHTING SPIRIT: University Hall claimied victory over their rivals George Roberts

The female University Hall and George Roberts game was close with George Roberts only down by two points (14-12) at half time.

Both teams cooperated well as a unit but the positive encouragement from team members, vision and pinpoint passes meant the undefeated University Hall team came out on top once again.

University Hall goal shooter Emylee Boulter played a brilliant game, rebounding well and scoring 15 of 19 goals.

George Roberts goal defense Holly Trentin attacked and defended like a champion, receiving a mention from Captain Talia Hopkins who accepted the loss gracefully.

“We just couldn’t keep it together,” Ms Hopkins said.

“If we got the turnover we couldn’t bring it down and we just weren’t going into the right spaces at the right time.”

University Hall Captain Renee Currie said she couldn’t be happier for her team.

“We just kept our heads up and when they came close to us, we pulled it together”, she said.

“Everyone just played so well.”

The victors led the scoreboard for the whole game while a huge University Hall crowd cheered loudly. The ‘wolf pack’ sat on the sidelines booing the referee’s calls and cheered until their voices were gone.

University Hall coach Vicky Paige had nothing but praise for her team.

“It was a team effort all round and I’m very proud of the girls,” she said.

“We haven’t lost a game so it was a struggle because there was an expectation we would have it easy.

“Credit to the other team though – they gave it to us and it was tough.”