Manchester City Council have introduced new plans to limit the number of student houses in Fallowfield and Withington.

New planning proposals, which will be in place from April, aim to stop certain areas being overrun with students.

Fallowfield and Withington, traditionally student populated areas, will be top of the list. The city council argues that this type of high concentrated student housing has a negative impact on the wider community.

Councillor Richard Cowell, Executive Member for Environment, said “We recognise that students make a valuable contribution to the city, but the uncontrolled growth of shared student rented housing can change the character of a community as well as causing environmental problems.

“The growth of student accommodation can then be directed to areas that will most benefit communities, allowing neighbourhoods to develop in a way that is sympathetic to the needs of everyone.”

More than 10,000 students live in houses and flats in Fallowfield- including university halls residents, the figure comes to more than 15,000. Students make up half of the area’s population.

“We should be able to choose where we want to live,” says Becky McKee, a Politics and International Relations student.

“Fallowfield is convenient for university, all my friends live here and I like having all the amenities on my doorstep. When I go out at night I can just walk home rather than having to get a taxi. Other areas probably wouldn’t cater to students as well as here.”

Cooper Healey, Director of Manchester Student Homes said: “There are no current plans to reduce the number of student homes retrospectively (by removing existing student houses). Changes to the ‘use classes order’ however, may affect the number of properties that are converted into student homes in the future.

“The changes essentially mean that when a landlord buys a property of three or more bedrooms and wishes to change the use from, for instance, owner occupier to a shared house for several tenants, the landlord will have to apply to the local authority for permission.”

Healey added that, “Manchester Student Homes will monitor the effects of the new legislation.”

MIPF aims to try to avoid clashes like those seen on the Union steps three weeks ago when the Israeli deputy ambassador was due to speak. It also aims to provide a learning place for members of the Union who are confused by the long-standing conflict not only in the Middle East, but that on Oxford Road.

The forum has been met with scepticism from both the Israel lobby and Palestinian activist groups. This was perhaps reflected in the turnout of around 60 with notable absences from a lot of the key players on both sides – a small percentage of the hundreds who mobilised to protest over the non-visit of the Israeli ambassador.

The slim attendance was compounded by the MIPF’s decision to allow both sides to start the debate with a historical account of the Gazan conflict.  This was due to the widespread belief that the two sides would find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to accept one historical presentation as being neutral.

“If four people living in Britain cannot agree on a history of the Israel-Palestine conflict then why are we bothering with this anyway?” asked an audience member.

The decision to allow former Union General Secretary Rob Pinfold and controversial activist Natalie Samuel to represent the Israeli side of the panel was also met with some hostility.

“They couldn’t think of a worse team to represent my views about Israel,” said a member of the Jewish Society.

The debate was directed by current Union Chair of Council Mark Dunwell who both sides agreed was suitable for the potentially explosive debate. Dunwell reserved judgment on the potential successes of the MIPF: “Broadly, the aims are commendable and go a long way to helping to make a few crucial, positive steps in the right direction.”

The forum aims to meet around every two to three weeks on a regular basis throughout next semester.

- Exuberant win for politically unaffiliated candidates

Last Thursday witnessed the victories of a raft of independent candidates in the University of Manchester Students’ Union (UMSU) elections, despite voter turn out being at an all time low.

After four weeks of campaigning the results were announced by Returning Officer,    , on Thursday evening in Steve Biko café. Around 200 students were present to hear who next year’s representatives on Union Council and Executive were to be, following what …. described as a “generally well-spirited election.”

The result of the Academic Affairs Officer race was the first of the full-time sabbatical Executive positions to be revealed, and set something of a theme for the evening. Incumbent Academic Affairs Officer and former chair of Manchester Liberal Youth Kate Little, whose campaign promised to put “education before politics”, gained a comfortable victory over Communist student Robi Folkard. This proved the first of several races in which a candidate with far-left affiliations was beaten by a student whose manifesto pledges were student-led and non-factional.

Little said: “I’m just really glad that the students have decided to put education before politics this year and I hope I can deliver what they asked for.”

The contest for General Secretary was convincingly won by Sarah Wakefield, who has been tipped for the role since the election period last year. Politically unaffiliated Wakefield, who was elected as UMSU’s first female General Secretary in eight years over Communist student Caitriona Rylance, can also lay claim to the highest majority in a General Secretary race that UMSU has on record.

Wakefield took 78.5 per cent of the total votes cast, with 1, 924 students selecting her as their preferred candidate. In previous years the General Secretary race has been a close contestant; Rob Pinfold, General Secretary for the 2008/09 academic year won by 33 votes, while Rob Owen scraped to victory with a majority of just four votes in 2006. Wakefield’s majority is the largest since records began in1967.

Despite her massive majority Wakefield admitted: “I was totally nervous about it.  You can never gauge how an election’s going, especially when we don’t have things like opinion polls.”

By contrast, in the closest contest of the night, Miles Battye was elected as Student Activities Officer with only 211 votes putting him ahead of opponent Tom Hancock.

Hancock admitted to Student Direct: Mancunion that although he accepted the result and was happy to be getting back on with life, he wished that people had read the manifestoes more closely. Hancock said: “The problem with student politics at the moment is ‘negative campaigning’. It elects people with no policies, and this is what happened tonight.”

Battye, however, voiced the opinion: “It was such a close election [for Student Activities officer], because both the candidates, me and Tom, worked so hard. We have spent the last three weeks, every day, campaigning so hard. I feel for Tom, I know what he has been through, and I’ve been through it myself.  I have so much respect for him as well.”

Elsewhere, Amnesty International activist Amanda Walters triumphed over Steve Rolf, a member of the Socialist Worker Student Society, for the post of Campaigns Officer. While Jeremy Buck beat Siobhan Brown, also an activist with the Socialist Worker Student Society, in the Communications Officer election.

In one of the few votes to be taken to a second round under the Single Transferable Vote system, Robyn McKeown was elected as next year’s Student Direct Officer. McKeown, currently Student Direct: Mancunion’s New Writing Editor, took the top spot on the ballot paper over columnist and former News Editor Jane McConnell and current Deputy Editor Alena Eis, who was eliminated in the first round.

Mckeown, who will edit this newspaper next year, told Student Direct: Mancunion:  “I’m really happy that people are behind my policies. I also think it was great that I got to run such a fair and lovely campaign with two really qualified candidates and it was fantastic that so many qualified and really enthusiastic people were going for the position- and all women! – I’m a feminist, and I’m so glad it was all women.”

The last two announcements of the evening saw Hannah Paterson named Welfare Officer ahead of Ste Monaghan and Catherine Cutts and Emma Kerry elected as Women’s Officer.

The non-sabbatical Executive elections saw Mark Harrison narrowly win the post of Engineering & Physical Sciences Officer over Zubair Ashghar, with Jess Bradley coming in third. Likewise, Joseph Akkinagbe was voted in as International Students’ Officer and Mo Saqib took the title of Humanities Faculty Officer. Luke Newton and Sadia Anwar were named Life Sciences Faculty Officer and Medical Sciences Faculty Officer respectively, both were unopposed.

Council elections witnessed the election of Andrei Voicu as Societies Secretary, while Oli Kasin topped the ballot for LGBT Secretary (Open place). Ruthie Arkush and Lara Kaplan gained the posts of Ethnic Minorities Secretary and Disabled Students Secretary respectively, although both races were unopposed. Current General Secretary, Gabriel Hassan, was one of the 12 Faculty of Humanities General Members elected.

Notably, this year’s elections saw the lowest number of voters in six years, with a top figure of 2,482 turning out to cast their vote compared with last year’s 3,605. As a percentage the turn out proves even more paltry standing at just over five per cent of a total electorate of 43,238.

For the full results and a breakdown of voting figures visit: www.umsu.manchester.ac.uk/ elections. A full photo gallery is also available online at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/studentdirectpics/sets/72157623477545431/

Additional reporting by Girish Gupta and Adam Farnell

The scarf is a protest against the current owners of Manchester United, the Glazer family. Many fans wear the colours of Newton Heath, the club’s former incarnation, as an act of dissent against the Glazers. The movement has grown in recent months as Manchester United fans have seen their formerly debt-free club plunged into £700m pounds worth of debt.

Jerry Vyse, a first year Anthropology student, worked in one of the many food and drink kiosks at Old Trafford. He purchased a green and gold scarf before the game against AC Milan on Wednesday night. Vyse said: “I bought the scarf for five pounds off one of the countless sellers stocking them around the outside of the stadium. I told him I would be wearing it to work at Old Trafford for my shift selling pies and Bovril for that evening’s game against AC Milan. He wished me the best of luck, but warned me that some staff were sacked on the spot for doing that.

“I put it on at half-time as the floods of people poured out to stock themselves up with fluids and solids. The fans started to cheer in solidarity.

“Hearing the commotion, the supervisor came round and ordered me to remove it. This was met with jeers from the united supporters, most of whom had the scarf on themselves.”

Vyse continued: “When I refused, the supporters cheered, before shouting comments at the supervisor to let me get on with my job because the scarf does not effect my ability to work a till. He was then booed when he put the queue on hold to enter the kiosk and request I leave with him because my scarf was ‘anti-Glazer’.

“I turned to the supervisor and asked him why I could not continue doing my job. He said it was not because I was wearing a scarf, because if it had been a different colour he would not have minded. MUFC will no doubt state that the decision was based on uniform policy – what he told me surely refutes that. He said it was because it was ‘anti-Glazer’. Does it not sniff a little bit like a dictatorship if not even the smallest of dissents can be made about an incredibly rich man who has more or less taken over the club?

Vyse alleges that public catering manager, David Moses, attempted to intimidate him into removing the scarf.  Vyse said, “He told me to ‘take that smug grin off your face or I’m going to get very angry’. He then marched me to the Head Office of Catering.”

“He asked me, furiously, ‘Who pays your wages? Is it not Glazer?’ I answered ‘No, it’s the fans. Without them this club would not exist’. I then asked him the question: ‘Who pays Glazers wages then. Is it not the fans?’”

Student Direct contacted David Moses for further comment. When asked if Vyse was fired because of his green and gold scarf, Moses said, “Not at all. I’ve got no further comment”, and hung up the phone.

A spokesperson from the club said: “There is a strict uniform policy and he refused to abide by it and was therefore asked to leave.”

David Beckham last week caused both controversy and smiles on the faces of many Manchester United fans after their game with AC Milan when he donned a similar gold and green scarf that had been thrown onto the Old Trafford pitch.

The “list of fitties” is claimed to have been drawn up by members of the notorious Penguin Club at Hertford College.  The drinking society’s emails contain derogatory comments, including “only if we’re desperate”, next to pictures of the women.

The emails were then pinned up on noticeboards overnight by a whistleblower.

It was also revealed that new recruits are forced to perform a naked streak smeared in goose fat as well as eat raw squid.  The group are distinguished by maroon ties with gold penguins emblazoned on them.

Known for their bad behaviour, the club has been in trouble before.  The headteacher of an Oxford girls’ school described the invitation of a number of her students to a Penguin Club party as “wholly inappropriate.”

“The party was cancelled and my investigations showed that the girls found the whole thing very odd,” said headteacher Felicity Lusk.  “I’m concerned about the whole incident but I think it’s a matter for the University.”

An Oxford University spokeswomen told Student Direct: Mancunion: “The University of Oxford takes allegations of this sort of behaviour seriously and is content that the college is acting entirely appropriately in investigating the allegations.”

Hertford College in turn added: “The Principal of Hertford College has confirmed that a disciplinary process has been initiated regarding a number of the college’s undergraduates who have been suspended from the college as a precautionary measure whilst it is in train.”

A pro-British National Party (BNP) effigy was removed by University of Manchester students last week on Oldham Street.

The effigy was part of a small BNP rally that took place at the Ace of Diamonds pub, in Manchester, on Wednesday.

Jess Bradley, first year Environmental Sciences student and organiser of the counter-protest said:   “We got a tip off from a member of Unite Against Fascism (UAF) that a rally was going on in a pub called the Ace of Diamond, on Oldham Road in Manchester, which was owned by one of the organiser of BNP North. The tip said they were holding a rally there.

The group of students found the effigy of Gordon Brown in a broken toilet outside of the pub, in view of the street. The effigy had pro-BNP signs attached to it.

“We managed to mobilise a group of students to counter them, but they had left. So we took down all their propaganda.”

“Fascism is a real threat on our streets and in our University. The EDL have been organising in our Union, before the march in Manchester. So it is a real threat to students, because of their racism, homophobia and bigotry.  We are a building a movement against fascist groups, like the BNP and the EDL.”

Bradley added: “We are going to the EDL march in Bolton, to counter their protests, on March 20.”

This is not to forget McKeown’s opponents, both of whom ran convincing election campaigns in their bid for the job. In any other year it is likely that either Jane McConnell or Alena Eis would have taken home the prize as both had a wealth of journalistic experience and fresh ideas for the paper.

What made this year’s Student Direct contest so unique, however, was that it is the first time in three years in which students were offered a viable choice as to who edits their newspaper. Since the election of Student Direct novice Sajid Rafiq in 2006, ahead of then Deputy Editor Daniel Calder, popular columnist Martina Booth and News Editor Rachael Rouse, there has been a trend for potential candidates with experience on the paper to be whittled down to one ‘official’ candidate with the current editor’s endorsement. In the past few years, many sub editors and writers have been actively discouraged so as not to split the vote and allow an inexperienced protest candidate to snatch the victory.

But how fair is this preliminary selection process really? How democratic? To limit the choice available to students at the polls to one candidate with a proven record writing and working on the paper and another more ideologically-driven candidate with a comparatively poor journalistic resumé seems to intrinsically make up the minds of the newspaper’s readers for them.

This year breathed new life into the race for the editorship of Student Direct, and for this all three candidates should be commended. Between them they offered Manchester students a real, discernable choice as to what they wanted from their editor; all three candidates played to their considerable strengths and in the end McKeown’s quirky campaigning sealed the deal. And while it is to be regretted that the University of Manchester Students’ Union will not benefit from the addition of either McConnell or Eis to the student officer team, it should also be celebrated that students were allowed a free choice between candidates, and not subjected to the political plotting of an elite few.

Having read the comments quoted from General Secretary Gabriel Hassan in last week’s paper (‘Union democracy past its expiration date?’, News, March 8) – I can’t help but think Mr Hassan has no idea what the word democracy means.

Mr Hassan has apparently claimed that the lack of policy renewals, such as those banning the sale of Coke and Nestle products in the UMSU shop, represents a failure of democracy in the Union. Not quite sure how that works. First of all, it’s worth pointing out the arrogance of the implicit suggestion that – were more people voting on these policies – these brands would still be banned. It’s always helpful to simply assume you’re in the right and criticise voter turnout.

No, I must disagree. As attractive a prospect it would be to debate the merits and downfalls of true democracy, the issue here is quite simple: the vast majority of students do not care about those things.

That is why you’re not getting the votes for your policies; people don’t feel strongly enough against drinking Coke or chomping on a Yorkie bar (only for the lads, of course). Now, I shouldn’t ignore the other policies that haven’t been renewed – such things as the National Blood Service and Home Fees for Asylum Seekers are certainly causes as worthy as the campaign against Coke and Nestle. When people begin to understand that Islam is not a race of people, and therefore the word “racist” should not be cheapened and thrown around carelessly with regards to religion, then perhaps I’d be in favour of the right to wear the hijab and niqab renewals, too (but not until they open the English dictionary and rename).

There is one more issue missed by Mr Hassan, whilst his comments were, in his defence, fleeting. That is the fact that whilst I believe I’m right to say that most students just do not care, there also happens to be a few of us who believe strongly the opposite to yourself. I don’t happen to need you telling me what is ethical and what isn’t. I certainly don’t need to be treated like a child, and to have morality dictated to me. You are not elected to run my life, and you have no legitimate authority to ban the products – by passing a policy or otherwise. Study democracy even a little bit, and you’ll find it has its faults, such as tyranny of the majority over the minority. Some things are simply not appropriate for public vote and should be guaranteed, including gay rights and freedom of speech to name two of the big issues.

So I was very confused when reading that this failure to renew initiatives represents democratic failure. The way I see it is the majority of students couldn’t care less about these two particular polices, and (unintentionally) communicated that by not bothering to speak out. Nothing happened, because not enough people supported banning Nestle and Coke. That’s precisely how democracy is supposed to work, is it not?

Marcus Powell

A blanket criticism of those who choose to wear the veil is neither useful nor fair

I apologise for offence caused by my letter that suggested a contradiction between discussing religious pressure to wear a veil and not societal pressure to wear make up etc (Letters, March 1). Obviously the extremity in one is far worse than the other, and I was not trying to equate the consequences, nor belittle any woman’s experience. It was meant to provoke thought on the subject, which I hope it has. I accept the invitation to host an event with HOPI on women’s liberation in the middle east and hope that this discussion does not make them doubt my commitment to women’s liberation worldwide, and how abhorrent I find forced veil wearing. However I still think it’s important for feminists in the UK to engage with women who do wear the veil out of choice, and a blanket criticism of those who try to do this is neither useful nor fair.

Hazel Kent
UMSU Women’s Officer
Clarifying my position on Iraq

In a recent column for Student Direct (‘A new perspective on the Iraq question’ Opinion, February 22) I attempted to provide a critique of the arguments for and against the Iraq war. I allowed the article to be published as I hoped that it would contribute some novel points to the debate. The article provoked some discussion, which demonstrated that the article had caused confusion about where I stand on the issue. Because of this confusion, I regret publishing the article. I would like to clarify my position.

I support wholeheartedly the human rights of all people and I am firmly opposed to any action that inflicts suffering on others. On this basis I am and always have been strongly opposed to the occupation of Iraq. I condemn wholeheartedly the actions of the American and British governments who lied in order to take their countries into an illegal war; who were criminally negligent in their failure to adequately plan for the aftermath of the invasion; who have since allowed contracts in the region to be usurped by Western corporations; who have failed to act in the interests of the Iraqi people; and who are responsible for the mass slaughter of hundreds of thousands of civilians. I similarly condemn the actions of the right-wing nationalist and Islamist militias in the region who, at every stage, have opposed peace, and shown that they are willing to murder innocent Iraqi people in pursuit of their own self-serving agendas.

I support unequivocally the right of the Iraqi people to live in a society which operates in the interests of ordinary Iraqis, and in which human, national and social rights are fully guaranteed.

It is and always has been my view that democracy would not be imposed in Iraq, least of all by the very governments and multi-nationals that had supported Iraqi Ba’athism, and would continue to have supported it so long as it was profitable to do so. This position is vindicated by the degradation of Iraq since 2003 into mass violence, religious sectarianism, and conflict along the borders of the former Kurdish autonomous zone; by colossal unemployment, poverty, hunger and shortages of power.

The only route to peace and liberation for the Iraqi people was, and always has been, the mass struggle of ordinary people. Numerous strikes and mass protests point the way forwards. The most urgent question is of organisation by ordinary people in Iraq, across the sectarian divide, against right-wing forces of all descriptions, including the puppet government and western imperialism.

Students at University of Manchester can best help the Iraqi people by publicising the untold story of Iraqi and Iraqi-Kurdish workers and youth struggling against oppression and tyranny. Furthermore, students should put their efforts to supporting the organised working classes in Iraq who hold the key to a brighter future, for the national minorities in Iraq, and for all the oppressed people in the wider region.

James Naish

A message from Greater Manchester Police

I am writing to inform you that a number of student properties have recently been targeted by burglars who have gained access to properties via insecure windows and doors.

To tackle this problem, neighbourhood officers will be running high-visibility patrols over the next few weeks to discourage any potential offenders. They will also be closely monitoring suspects. I’d like to reassure residents that overall burglary has significantly reduced in your area.  We are committed to reducing this crime and
would ask for your support in making your community safer. A third of burglaries are still down to offenders getting into homes through open doors and windows.  By locking up even when you are in, using burglar alarms and leaving a light on when you go out you can substantially decrease your chances of falling victim to this distressing crime.

I would also advise you to be wary of anybody suspicious following you in through communal entrances and make sure that doors securely close behind you.

To help us tackle this problem we would urge you to report any suspicious activity, as by working together we stand a better chance of catching those responsible.

For non-emergency calls or to report crime call police on 0161 872 5050 or for more information visit gmp.police.uk/southmanchester.  In an emergency please call 999.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity that will not want your name, just your information.  Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

For crime prevention tips please visit http://www.mcrstudentsafer.co.uk.  There is also a student Facebook group, which will keep you updated on crime and police initiatives in the area – search for ‘Just Shut Up – Safer Students’.

Chief Inspector Mark Gibby

STRIKE A POSE...The men celebrate another Manchester victory

SPECTATORS AT Manchester Aquatics Centre witnessed yet another double victory for the University of Manchester water polo club, with both men’s and women’s teams excelling.

It has been an ultimately successful season for Manchester as the men, as defending champions, reached the finals of the BUCS championships and would have been joined by the women had it not been for BUCS irregularities to wrongly deny them a place alongside their male counterparts. As a result, Manchester went into the Christie Cup against Leeds and Liverpool full of optimism. Despite pitiful cheers from the opposition, the “oh Manchester” chants filled the pool in expectation of victory. Indeed, both home sides were confident of easy wins given that they were looking for a fourth consecutive Christie Cup victory. Alex Tollefson and Ali Mell, respective captains of the men and women’s sides, led their skilful and agile teams to comfortable victories against their hapless rivals. The result was no surprise really with Manchester retaining their enviable title.

The women kicked off proceedings against Leeds at the un-studently hour of 12pm and it was Leeds who moved into an early 9-4 lead, but Manchester soon woke up and began to take advantage of Leeds’ disorganisation with Mitra Pasche looking particularly impressive.  Manchester drew level at the business end of the set with Marije van Hattum fearsome with her spikes before the hosts took the first set 25-20.

FLYING...Depleted numbers did not stop the women

The women were in fine spirits and raced into a 10-4 lead in the second set. Despite being one of the smallest players on the court Shijie Lang was particularly good with her spikes. Leeds did come back into the set but as soon as they got within touching distance of levelling the scores, Manchester moved up a gear. The visitors took a time-out trailing 20-12 and although they staged a mini comeback, Manchester took the set 25-18 and with it the match.

The men’s game against Leeds was an altogether tighter affair and in fact dropped the first set 25-16. This seemed only to give them more resolve in the second set, though, as they raced into an early advantage but for Leeds to reel them back in soon after. There was never more than a couple of points separating the teams from thereon until the death when Manchester got their noses in front to take the set 25-21.

The third set was no less intense and, at 10-10, the match was there for either side to take. It was Manchester, however, who retained their composure to earn a 15-12 victory in the final set despite complaints from Leeds over a line call.

Liverpool women’s side then lost to Leeds meaning a good performance from Manchester would see them take the title.  Manchester took the first set 25-21 but lost the second 25-22. The momentum was now with Liverpool and they took the deciding set 15-10 although this wasn’t enough to stop Manchester running out winners of the overall event.

The men were also taken to three sets having been pegged back 25-22 following a 25-13 lead from the first. When the third set was curtailed due to the event overrunning it was the turn of Liverpool to vent their frustrations at the decision. However, Manchester had earlier been cruising and the result made little difference to the overall volleyball standings as the hosts claimed the Cup.

One event somewhere between these two ends of the spectrum is trampoline. Though not often prominent in the minds of most students at Manchester, the club is highly popular and their standing among the AU community has increased massively in recent years. One reason is the inclusivity of the event itself where novice, intermediate, advanced and expert perform on the same stage – the difficulty of competition increasing as the event progresses.

UPSIDE DOWN...Manchester's array of moves were too much

At its best, to see a routine by one of these athletes can be awe-inspiring. Grace, poise and rhythmic precision merge in one enchanting expression of human endeavour. And Manchester wowed the judges throughout all the stages of the competition with their mesmerising performances.

Starting as favourites, the hosts were under pressure to preserve their blossoming reputation. Yet, if there was any anxiety from the athletes, then it was kept well veiled.

Manchester scored consistently highly throughout the categories culminating in a dominant victory, with 302 points after the experts had finished compared to the 184 accumulated by Liverpool and 87 for Leeds.

Central to Manchester’s success has been the duo of club captain Maddy Herbert and fellow expert Emma Scanlon who, impressively has world and national medals at junior level and is the club’s marquee name.

After the event, a “delighted” Herbert was quick to pay tribute to the visiting teams, whose representation and competitiveness was markedly improved on past events. Yet still they were no match for this magnificent Manchester team, who will look to continue their upward (and rotational) momentum into future events, including a major competition in Ireland later this semester.

IMPRESSIVE...Many of Manchester's swimmers nearly achieved new PBs

KICKING OFF the Christie Cup this year were the Swimming Club hosting Leeds and Liverpool at the Aquatics Centre. As a practice run for BUCS Teams Championships in Sheffield, Manchester were keen to test out both 1^st and 2nd teams featuring many of their key swimmers in their strongest events.  Off to an electric start both men and women’s relays were won comfortably by Manchester and this quickly became the theme of the day. Winning all but one event, Manchester 1^st team stormed ahead to win by a comfortable 30 points. Several swimmers hit times narrowly skimming their personal bests, testament to the weeks of intense training the team has undertaken. Manchester 2^nd team who won team regional team qualifiers beating some universities 1^st teams, produced a number of solid swims coming second behind the 1^st team in several events. This victory was just the ego boost Manchester swimmers needed before heading to South Yorkshire.

Both men’s sides started brightly against a Leeds squad who had clearly had one too many beers on the short coach journey, as the first XI smashed their opponents 7-2 whilst the second XI waltzed to an equally convincing 5-0 win. However a sober Liverpool proved to be tougher opposition, as they held the second string to a 1-1 draw and battled to a 1-0 win over the firsts. 

TOO QUICK...Manchester destroyed Leeds

The first XI made the perfect start to the day and the match when Rob Guppy managed to score in the first minute, breaking clear of the Leeds defence and comfortably slotting the ball past the keeper. Despite the sluggish nature of the opposition Manchester did not relent in their pressure and, after squandering a couple of straightforward chances, were soon 2-0 up. Manchester were not content though, and, spurred on in the sunshine by the onlooking crowd, further extended their lead when Guppy raced onto another through ball and effortlessly passed the ball beyond the static keeper into the far corner.  Despite the early Manchester dominance Leeds, who had comfortably brushed Manchester side 8-3 in a league meeting before Christmas, gained a foothold in the game after a period of sustained pressure. However almost instantly Manchester picked themselves up and won a penalty on the stroke of half-time. He tried to convert the most outrageous of penalties, attempting to kick round his standing leg and chip the ball over the keeper. Leeds celebrated wildly as Tipper fluffed his lines and the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Despite the withdrawal of Guppy, Manchester started the second half with the same purpose as they ended the first and immediately forced the Leeds keeper into two outstanding saves. The hosts began to ease their foot off the gas, safe in the knowledge that they were the sober team. However, their relaxed approach cost them as a simple through ball split the defence and Luke Pickering was forced to concede a penalty. Up stepped the Leeds striker who finished with aplomb, sending Will Jones the wrong way. Leeds’ revival was short lived however, as both Steve Hall and Chris Birch scored powerful efforts from the edge of the penalty area in quick succession to crush the visitors’ enthusiasm. With an important victory under their belts, the firsts were perhaps a little complacent ahead of the late afternoon fixture against Liverpool as they slumped to a defeat that gave Liverpool victory in the triangular tournament. However, the men’s seconds emerged victorious, as did both women’s sides in the three-way competition to make a valuable contribution to Manchester successful bid to retain the Christie Cup.

Despite knowing that a win would still not give them the cup, Manchester resolved to recover some pride against their Merseyside rivals, who still had a chance of overhauling Leeds to take the series.

It was Manchester, however, who looked like the side still in contention for the cup, as they dominated the early stages of the game. The first ten minutes were spent almost exclusively in the Liverpool half, as wave after wave of white shirts crashed upon the visitors’ defences who struggled to hold back the tide.

MIXED DAY...Manchester recovered some pride

This territorial domination, though, was not transformed into points and with Liverpool coming into the game more as the half progressed, the hosts had to show great determination in defence to hold up an opposition attack on the line.

For all Manchester’s effort, it was more a case of perspiration than inspiration in attack, with plenty of powerful running but creativity at a premium.

Shortly before half-time the hosts finally got the score that their play deserved. Unhappy at having their own try held up, the ball was spread wide from the resultant scrum, allowing full back Harry Briffett to overlap on the right hand side and touch down. Lancaster missed a tough conversion and Manchester went into the break with a deserved, though narrow, lead.

With Liverpool having spent their league season in BUCS 1A and Manchester in the Northern Premier B, the difference between the two sides was pronounced. The home team continued to show their strength after the break, Saltrick particularly unlucky not to extend the lead with a fine break.

If Manchester were growing slightly concerned at holding only a slender lead, they needn’t have worried. Their second try arrived soon after, from a magnificent run from Vincenzo surging past a host of Liverpool defenders to the line. Lancaster coolly dispatched the conversion and a nine-point lead gave the home side some breathing space.

Despite Leeds winning the cup, finishing the series with a convincing victory left Manchester in relatively high spirits. Now, attention turns to greater challenges, with a match against Sheffield Hallam in the last 16 of the BUCS Trophy.

The hosts went into the tournament as clear favourites with their reputation as one of the strongest national universities in squash. It therefore came as no surprise when Leeds, who it was believed would pose the greatest threat to dethroning Manchester, were totally outclassed in a series of formidable performances.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE...Captain O'Hare leads the way

Gordon Harpur got things underway for the first team with a comprehensive 11-6, 11-6 straight sets victory, setting the tone for subsequent matches. Captain Conor O’Hare won by the same score line, as did Ky Hibberd. Hibberd’s brother Morgan completed an 11-7, 11-4 victory, it was left to star man Chris Tasker-Grindley to complete the rout, and he duly obliged with an 11-7, 11-3 success despite, by his own admission, not performing to his best in the opening set.

The seconds were equally impressive, claiming all five victories, although first seed Chris Sanders was the first of just four players to drop a set the entire afternoon. However, that this was the biggest criticism that could be levelled at Manchester from the day’s play is indicative of how dominant the home side were at The Sugden Centre.

Leeds women posed much more of a threat and proved to be the only ones capable of winning a match. However, it did nothing to disrupt the momentum as Natalie Coombs, having struggled in the early phase of her clash, overturned a deficit to earn a hard-fought win and the women beating Leeds 3-1 overall.

An enforced interval for the Leeds-Liverpool fixtures to take place briefly threatened to destabilise the rhythm of Manchester’s play, as Harpur nearly discovered in a closely contested match, but the number five seed eventually secured an 11-9, 14-12 win. O’Hare, though, experienced little trouble in his opening set and overcame a nominal challenge in the second to take an 11-8 second set victory. Third seed Ky Hibberd was the most assured first team player of the afternoon, however, dropping the fewest points of his team, conceding a mere 15 points over four games which included a sublime 11-1, 11-2 win.

With the second team also able to see out a successive 5-0 victory over their opponents, it was left to the women to conclude a comprehensive victory, and they did it with consummate ease as Hannah Thompson saw off her rival 11-5, 11-5 to cap a perfect day for the hosts.

ANOTHER VICTORY...Manchester's sailors contributed to Christie Cup title

Manchester dominated the start line in their first race against Liverpool and after a good first beat were first, second and sixth at the top mark, positions which they kept to the end to win the first race. The second race followed almost the same pattern leaving Manchester in a strong position. Leeds and Liverpool faced each other next, which began with a flying start from the port-hand Liverpool boat. This led to some pretty intense battles, especially down the run, but in the end Leeds managed to get through to first and third, winning the first race. The second saw the same Liverpool boat fly off the port end in another cracking start, but with her two team mates pushed back into last and second to last by some leeward mark trapping, a win for her did not translate into a win for the Liverpool team as a whole. So after winning 2 out of 3 against Liverpool, it was now up to Leeds to fight it out against Manchester for the title. In the first race Leeds got off to a good start and were first, third and fifth around the top mark, however the first 3 boats all sailed low of the next mark, so Manchester’s fourth place boat sailed over the top and into first. This led to some intensive gybing duels down the run and the battles continued to the last beat. With two Manchester boats and two Leeds boats locked in battle up the left hand side of the beat, the remaining two boats sailed up the right hand side in clear breeze to get back into the race. This led to a very close finish, with Manchester just managing to squeeze into second, third and fifth and take the first race. In the second race, the close battle continued, but a cracking final beat led Manchester to a first and third at the finish. The last Manchester boat committed a few fouls and so was still taking penalty spins 5 minutes after the race had finished! Fortunately it didn’t matter and Manchester managed stayed undefeated throughout the whole day.

The game against Liverpool started at a high tempo, with both sides keen to play slick hockey in front of the bumper Christie Cup crowd and Manchester soon began to impose their authority on the game with Keiron Mulholland and Anthony Pike impressing in midfield. Chances were somewhat harder to come by, however, as Liverpool put men behind the ball and threw few men forward when opportunities came for them to counter. Tellingly, Manchester could only muster one short corner in the half and Anthony Pike’s delivery was quickly crowded out by an obdurate Liverpool backline. On the stroke of half time, after some fine dribbling, Pete Douglas saw his reverse shot from the edge of the D was kept out by a diving Liverpool ‘keeper.

GOAL...Manchester eased past Liverpool

After a calm team talk from their manager, Manchester re-emerged from the half time break with renewed confidence and a more methodical approach. This bore fruit soon afterwards with James Ruddiman firing home emphatically from a rebound after a great ball from team captain Anthony Pike. Ruddiman’s doubled the advantage in the 41^st when he finished calmly following an incisive run down the right wing by forward Henry Commande.

The second goal seemed to relax Manchester against a Liverpool side that offered little in attack and the boys in purple began to turn on the style. Mulholland was dominating proceedings in the middle of the park, while Commande found plenty of room out right. Pete Douglas found the net on 53 minutes when he turned in Commande’s ball from the by-line for Manchester’s third. A fourth arrived when an Anthony Pike short corner resulted in Andy Bird producing a placed finish low to the ‘keeper’s left following some crisp passing in Liverpool’s D.

Despite the big lead, Manchester remained vigilant in defence and Nick Clegg capped off an impressive performance with a superb last-ditch tackle to deny Liverpool a consolation goal on 65 minutes. Manchester were able to crown a fine display with a fifth goal just before the final whistle when Keiran Mulholland grabbed the goal his play deserved from another fine Pike corner.

NEW EVENT...Climbers participated for the first time

This year was the first year that the long-established Christie Cup has extended its reach to climbing, and, as the host university, the Manchester Climbing Centre was the ideal venue for the inaugural event. Each university was represented by three teams consisting of three climbers, two teams of which tackled the 15 bouldering obstacles whilst the others attacked the four climbing challenges. Manchester’s teams were run away winners in the bouldering by over 100 points with Rob Gajland claiming the highest overall score, accumulating an impressive 140 points from a possible 150. Manchester also won the lead climbing by some distance as a team, but on an individual level it went right down to the last climb with Luke Hunt eventually claiming first place by two holds. All in all Manchester were comfortable winners and took individual first places in all but the female bouldering which had to settle for respectable second and third placed positions. Manchester ended the day with 1311 points from a total of 1626 on a commanding day of climbing to ensure a successful first appearance in the Christie Cup.

University of Liverpool men’s first V 40 – 44 University of Leeds men’s first V

University of Manchester men’s first V 56 – 44 University of Liverpool men’s first V

IT WAS A MIXED DAY for Manchester men’s firsts in the basketball as they won one and lost another in a frustrating afternoon.

Manchester’s season has had more downs than ups this term and as a result this may not have been seen as one of the sports the hosts were expected to dominate.

Familiarity was not a huge issue here with Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester spending the 09-10 season in three separate conferences. Leeds were the first to get acquainted with Manchester in a thoroughly entertaining game.

The opening exchanges suggested Leeds had spent the trip over the Pennines watching the movie Space Jam. The trick plays, bizarre tactics and ambitious attempts may well have been taken straight from Bugs Bunny’s playbook, but they were working. It was for this reason that the lead which Manchester took into the second quarter looked anything but comfortable.

MAIN PRIZE...Manchester's players still tasted Christie Cup glory

Two simply miraculous three-pointers soon followed and perhaps this was the indication that it simply wasn’t going to be Manchester’s day. To say the two efforts were speculative would be an understatement but Leeds were having fun and the problem was they were scoring in the process too.

At half-time the mood in the two camps couldn’t have been more different. Despite being behind, Leeds were buoyant whereas Manchester were lamenting their inability to put this game out of sight. For the hosts, the emphasis was on not succumbing to the jovial antics that Leeds were displaying.

As the game wore on though, the exhibitionists adopted a more serious outlook and the change in attitude was not good news for Manchester. Leeds grew into the game and with Manchester regularly rotating their side; Leeds capitalised and took the lead in the third quarter. Manchester themselves were finding it difficult to score, three-pointers were going astray and they simply weren’t collecting rebounds.

The final few stages of the game wore on as Manchester committed multiple fouls trying to get the ball back quickly. In the end, Leeds held on to secure the first win of the day by a narrow four point margin.

After the game, captain Sam Mead stated that they were “lulled into a false sense of security” by Leeds’ tomfoolery. He went on to say he knew their opponents had the ability to turn it on but his men still looked disappointed to lose what was in truth, a rather strange affair.

Leeds then edged out Liverpool 44-40 to take the overall series which meant Manchester and Liverpool were playing for mere pride when they squared off in the final game of the afternoon.

Manchester, clearly invigorated by the partisan crowd that had gathered, started strongly with three-pointers from Ibrahim Ibrahim and Mead.

To combat the zonal scheme Liverpool were implementing, Manchester needed to move the ball quicker and swing the ball horizontally whenever they could. It was something they failed to do against Leeds but here they exhibited it to great effect. With much better ball retention, Manchester looked far more dangerous going forward and it showed with Mike Younis, Ibrahim and Mead all helping themselves to points. Hesham El Shimy and Jamie Hagan also got in on the act as Manchester staved off Liverpool’s threat. If Liverpool had any hopes of getting back into the contest they were quickly banished by their constant fouls and in the end Manchester cantered to an eight point victory.

It was a shame that Manchester saved their best passages of play for the final game particularly as Leeds looked very beatable. But in the last game, Manchester did manage to find their form and restore some pride.