Women’s Hockey
Written by: Ruby Wheeler, Staff Writer
On Wednesday 24 April, Sussex Women’s Hockey went up against Brighton Women’s Hockey in a fiercely contested match that ended in a draw, with both sides finishing with a score of 2-2. Audiences from both Sussex University and Brighton University assembled at Falmer Sports Complex at 1 pm, for the face-off at 1:30 pm. Anticipation ran high as supporters from both universities stood side by side, ready for the match to begin. The game was marked by intense action from the get-go. Both teams demonstrated high levels of skill and determination. Goals were scored by Megan Wroe and Analena Goldblum from Sussex women’s hockey.
There were exceptional amazing halftime performances from Sussex Swallows, Sussex University’s game day cheerleading team as well as Waves cheerleading team, Brighton and Sussex’s join cheerleading team. The second period saw relentless back-and-forth action as both teams fought to gain the upper hand. Despite numerous scoring opportunities, Sussex kept a solid defence. Although both teams pushed for a game-winning goal, the match ended in a hard-fought draw.
Men’s Basketball
Written by: Kian Shayegan, Sport Sub Editor
Unfortunately the final result wasn’t what Sussex were looking for, but the game as a whole was a great advertisement to show how entertaining basketball can be, with constant end-to-end action and countless nail-biting moments.
The most nail-biting moment was undoubtedly in the final action of the game, where Brighton had three free throws where if they score all three they win, and the game ends in a draw and goes to extra time if they score two. After scoring the first and missing the second, it all came down to the final throw to decide whether Sussex would be victorious or another gruelling five minutes of basketball were to be played.
The crowd was about 80% Sussex despite the game being held on Brighton’s Falmer campus, and the amount of jeering and heckling towards the Brighton player shooting made me think it’s inevitably going to get into his head and make him miss. The fact that this exact player also hastily lashed out and tried to push one of Sussex’s players only a few minutes prior made me even more adamant that this would happen.
However, despite all of this, he swished the ball into the net with minimal fuss, and the game ending 67-67 was to go to extra time, where Brighton would eventually emerge victorious.
Women’s Basketball
Written by: Semhar (Semi) Tesfazgy, Editor in Chief
Our Sussex Women’s Basketball Team (SWBB) does us proud, winning 58-38 in a tense match against Brighton’s Panthers. Taking place away across the road at the University of Brighton, the team went neck in neck to claim the win. Competing on the last official day of varsity meant the pressure was on to maintain the three-year win streak Sussex has held overall against Brighton at Varsity. Defence particularly shone from the Sussex team with the Panthers scoring only once in the last quarter, and things got dicey as the game went on with multiple cases of physical contact from the Panthers. This game was particularly meaningful due to being the last one of the season and most of the team members graduating – and it marked a sentimental goodbye to both the sport and Sussex as a whole. A massive congratulations to the team and their win, in particular their incredible coach Nick Stevens, resilient Captain Ciara Parker, and skilled Vice Captain Alicia Galiana Wallace. All of us at The Badger are big fans of the team, and are excited to see what great feats next year’s team accomplishes!
Men’s Football
Written by: Maisie Knights, Books Editor and Head of Social Media
Men’s football is always an exciting match for the Sussex v Brighton Varsity, and 2024 did not disappoint. There was an atmosphere which wasn’t far from a Champions League Final as students of Sussex and Brighton alike, gathered at the Astro on campus to watch and yell chants. The first (of many) goals went to Brighton, but the Stingrays refused to give up, and eventually flipped things to their favour, with the score standing at 3-1 by halftime after a converted penalty. At halftime, the Sussex Swallows Cheer team shined bright with a performance full of stunting and dancing – a brilliant way to maintain suspense for the second half. Cheer team Waves was also in attendance, bringing their best stunts to the large crowd. The final score was 3-2 to Sussex, a brilliant win for the team who seemed very happy in their celebrations. This comes as a complete reversal of 2023’s result where Sussex lost 3-1 to Brighton.
Cricket
Written by: James Caddick, Staff Writer
The 2024 season is looking very promising for USCC with the club aiming to achieve a BUCS promotion for the 1st and 2nd XI. We have had one of our biggest intakes of freshers this year, meaning competition and training attendance throughout the club is the highest it’s been for numerous years. With the help of our coaches John and Phil, all the teams have wintered very well over the last six months and are buzzing to show off their skills this season.
The lows of last year’s 1st XI BUCS campaign have all been forgotten. Within the camp there is a huge positivity that we can dominate in every aspect of the game and impose ourselves on the opposition.
Oscar Bussey-Jones is at the helm this season for the 2nd XI and believes after last year’s promising BUCS campaign, the team go one further and achieve the promotion they so desperately want.
The positivity and desire to compete runs across USCC. The 3rd XI, as skippered by Joe Grimes, have had huge interest from players which has led to many more fixtures arranged that previous seasons which outlines the magnificent culture within the club.
Netball
Written by: Jemimah Kayode, Film and TV Editor
I took the opportunity to watch the netball varsity match on 1 May, and if I could describe it in one word it would be “riveting”. After losing by one point in the first quarter Sussex picked it back up again to gain a lead in the second quarter, a lead which they held onto and widened, resulting in a stunning 29-24 victory, and another point for Sussex added to the Sussex vs Brighton score, which at the time of writing stands at 11.5-3.5 to Sussex.
Being amongst the crowd was thrilling. Sussex fans were the ultimate cheerleaders and champions of sportsmanship, as they endured insults from the Brighton supporters, Sussex remained focused on uplifting the squad members of their netball team. Chants of “stingray till I die” and “come on Sussex” could be heard throughout the hall amongst others.
There was also a netball development varsity tournament. Two Sussex netball development teams faced off against Brighton Eastbourne and Brighton’s development teams. This, unfortunately, however resulted in a Brighton win with an overall score of 8-16.