Linc investigation reveals Class A drugs use in EVERY university building We are victorious! Special double-page report inside!
16
thelinc Issue #10 April 2008 Biggest ever! THE ONLY STUDENT NEWSPAPER FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN It’s all kicking off! Landlords share their anger at ClubEasy advertising deal with Students’ Union News, Page 5 Varsity Special We are victorious! Special double-page report inside! Sport, Pages 14 & 15 CAMPUS ON CRACK Linc investigation reveals Class A drugs use in EVERY university building READ THE SHOCKING REVELATIONS INSIDE, PAGE 3 CLASS A drugs are being used all over the University of Lincoln, a Linc investigation can exclusively reveal. Using a drug-testing kit which detects traces of cocaine use on surfaces, the Linc found specimens of the drug in every building tested. The Atrium, Media Building, EMMTEC, Architecture Building, Library and Engine Shed were all test- ed. The University’s newest asset, the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre (LPAC), came out worst in the survey, with evi- Dave Lee EXCLUSIVE
Transcript
thelinc Issue #10April 2008Biggest ever!
T H E O N L Y S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R F R O M T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F L I N C O L N
It’s all kicking off!Landlords share their anger at ClubEasyadvertising deal with Students’ UnionNews, Page 5
Varsity SpecialWe are victorious! Special double-pagereport inside!Sport, Pages 14 & 15
CAMPUS ONCRACK
Linc investigation reveals Class A drugs use in EVERY university building
READ THE SHOCKING REVELATIONS INSIDE, PAGE 3
CLASS A drugs are being
used all over the
University of Lincoln, a
Linc investigation can
exclusively reveal.Using a drug-testing kit
which detects traces of cocaine
use on surfaces, the Linc found
specimens of the drug in every
building tested.
The Atrium, Media
Building, EMMTEC,
Architecture Building, Library
and Engine Shed were all test-
ed.
The University’s newest
asset, the Lincoln Performing
Arts Centre (LPAC), came out
worst in the survey, with evi-
Dave Lee
EXCLUSIVE
2 thelinc.co.uk
Welcome...
Ten issues down and it’s time to hang up
my boots. I’ll be finishing university in a
matter of weeks. Incredible. If you’re in
first year, take it from me, your time
here will soon go. Enjoy it while you
can.
To mark ten issues, the Linc team took a
little time to reflect on all that this paper
has achieved in its short life.
I started The Linc way back in my first
year, and to say I’m proud of where it is
now is an understatement. At the heart of any community is com-
munication. I sincerely hope that we have helped add to the
University of Lincoln spirit.
I’m writing this at 2:27am in a freezing room in the Media
Building, but I’m certainly not alone: Huge thanks to everyone on
The Linc team that has made it such a success.
Long may it continue. To Dan Ionescu, next year’s editor: I wish
you the best of luck, and look forward to seeing what you do.
hosted by RGHosting - specialists in website hosting
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Coming Up...
THE GUILLEMOTS: Birmingham’s indie rockerswill hit the Engine Shed in May
WEDNESDAY 23rd APRILWKD Olympic GamesGames including: Inflatable Jousting (12-4), darts, pool, poker, Wii, various board games
(yes, including Twister)
All day @ Library Bar
Price: ₤10 with NUS, ₤12 without plus booking fee.
TUESDAY 20th MAYThe GuillemotsOff the back of the second album 'Red', released on March 24th, The Guillemots are
about to undertake their national tour.
7pm @ Engine Shed
Price: ₤13.50, over 16’s only
THURSDAY 22nd - SATURDAY 24th MAYLincoln Beer FestivalA regular feature at the Drill Hall, the Lincoln Beer Festival returns for its traditional
bank holiday slot.
From 12pm, Thursday @ Lincoln Drill Hall
Price: ₤2 Thursday, ₤3 Friday & Saturday
STUDENT complaints across the
country have risen for a third
consecutive year, according to a
new report.
The Office of the Independent
Adjudicator for Higher Education
(OIAHE) announced in their
annual report that the number of
student complaints nationwide
have risen by 25 per cent this
year.
Out of the dissatisfied stu-
dents, 64 per cent of complaints
related to academic results and 11
per cent accounted for discipli-
nary matters.
Complaints from Lincoln
have fallen from previous years
however, according to Paul
Walsh, Clerk to the Board of
Governors at the University of
Lincoln.
The reason for the fall,
according to Walsh, is that much
more is being done to resolve
complaints informally with deans
of faculties, rather than from
higher levels and outside regula-
tion bodies.
“Students are encouraged to
deal with any concerns informal-
ly and promptly at the ‘local’
level before raising the issue for-
mally under the complaints regu-
lations,” he said.
The University Secretariat
team has been working closely
with the Students’ Union over the
last year to encourage students to
overcome the barriers that they
may perceive prevent them from
approaching tutors (in the first
instance) to register their con-
cerns and seek early resolution.
“During the last 18 months,
the overwhelming majority of
complaints were resolved at the
Head of Department Stage, with
66% of all cases not progressing
beyond this point. The remainder
were dealt with at the dean level,
and no complaints proceeded to
the University level,” Walsh
added.
The number of complaints
nationwide reached 734 in 2007
compared to 586 in 2006 and 537
in 2005. 36 per cent of them were
from post graduates.
Higher Education Minister
Bill Rammell dismissed the
results however, claiming the
results weren’t representative.
The OIAHE conference
addressed the issue along with
delegates from 20 countries on
Wednesday.
“The six hundred com-
plainants represent less than two
hundredths of 1% of the student
population,” he said. “And only a
quarter of the complaints
received were upheld. That's
about 150 cases out of almost
three and a half million students
in the system.”
The OIAHE are not allowed
to give out information about
investigations into the University
of Lincoln.
The Linc welcomes the new team:Editor: Daniel IonescuSports Editor: Hayley CookPictures Editor: Samuel CoxDesign Assistants: Sadie Geoghegan & Lucy TantIf you are interested in joining the team for next year, email [email protected]
Lincoln Uni bucks national complaint trendDan Downham
TESTING POSITIVE: Buildings included in the report,clockwise from top-right: EMMTEC, LPAC, Library, ScienceBuilding, Engine Shed, Architecture Building, MediaBuilding and the Atrium. All showed significant traces ofcocaine use. Picutres: Samuel Cox
Linc investigation revealscocaine use all over theUniversity of Lincoln Brayfordcampus, writes Dave LeeContinued from page 1
FAMILIAR SIGHT ON CAMPUS? The test was conducted using specialist detection wipes. They turn blue when coming in contact with cocaine. Picture: Ben Reeves
ONLINE:Watch videos of the drugs testingwww.thelinc.co.uk
FUTURE: Hutchinson
4 thelinc.co.uk
GOODTIMESCelebrating good fortunes from the past week or so...
BADTIMESNot so good lately for the following...
For Carl Kelly (far left)Random bloke from Hertfordshire who blagged his way into
Hollywood film ‘Iron Man’.
For Neil KingLost ten stone in nine months after eating six cans of baked beans a
day!
For University of Lincoln Athletic UnionBasking in glory after the Varsity victory.
For University of Lincoln’s automatic doorsWhy are they so useless?
For Robert NapierLeft a £180,000 violin on a train.
For Lincoln United FCRelegated after 29 years in the Unibond Premier league.
“It’s stupid frankly. We have to selffund our productions, which cancost £30-100, if we had a littlehelp with this it would be much bet-ter.”
Stephen Taylor, 22, 2nd yearmedia production
“I sometimes wonder where allthe money goes. I only have tenhours teaching a week and I wish Ihad more.”
Karen Briesacher, 22, 3rd yearEuropean business
“I think we media students neednew computers, especiallyMacs.”
Hannah Mason, 19, 1st yearmedia studies
“I would like to see the moneyspent on better quality teachingand I would like the library to beopen for 24 hours.”
Ary Sharif, 20, 1st year businessand finance
“I do contemporary lens media. Ithink it could be spent on betterequipment.”
Matthew Roberts, 20, 1st yearcontemporary lens media
The Linc learnt that the Universityspends £12,000 year on transportfor the Vice-Chancellor. We askedstudents if they could find a betterway to use this amount of money.
What kind of foreignstudent are you?Students get pigeonholed and stereotyped all the time. Now, though, a UK firm has identified five categories of foreign students,each with their own level of spending power. Lucy Tant explains about the Seekers and the Surfers, the Gekkos and Bonos.
NO QUARTER: NUS national president Gemma Tumelty’s policy gave the BNP no access to universities.
“Students areadults andshould have theright to decidewho they do anddo not interview.”
Are market research companies right to separate the different ‘tribes’ of foreign students? Should student media beallowed to quote the BNP? Email your thoughts to:
“There should bea group for maturestudents, and withinthat a group for sin-gle parents to meetup. It’d be reallygood if there wassomething for us.”
Imagine your coursework, deadlines and other responsibilities youstruggle with at uni. And then, add a child. Sadie Geogheganmeets some of the single-parents at the University of Lincoln
thelinc.co.uk 11
linclettersDear The Linc,
When holding a position in the
Students’ Union, you learn to
take criticism with grace and
then act upon it to make sure it
does not happen again.
But, I take offence at how
inaccurately reported this article
is [“Shape of things to come”.
The Linc, Issue 9]!
When I read that “the official
figures counted almost 10 per-
cent of the total student popula-
tion” voted, I was amazed to say
the least, as the figures I have in
front of me right now from the
election committee state that
18.8% had their say.
This in turn means that ‘a
poor turnout’ did not plague the
elections this year; in fact it was
an amazing turnout for student
elections. The University of
Leicester, which has a great his-
tory of student involvement,
recorded 17 per cent this year,
while the University of Derby
took only 2 per cent. Looking
outside of the East Midlands,
another established university,
Liverpool, also had 17per cent,
with University College London
taking only 10 per cent.
This article seems to actively
want to cause concern to the
reader by using powerful words
like:
“Controversy”- I cannot see
what was so controversial about
the elections over any other
process that takes place at other
universities.
“Distress”- There will always
be distress, its an election to
decide peoples futures!
“Campaign sabotage”- We
did have reports of this but most
of it was found out to be misin-
formed porters and members of
security removing things.
“Arguments”- Rumours only,
nothing reported to the elections
committee. Plus it’s an election,
debate over ideals and mani-
festos are encouraged, otherwise
how do the voters know who to
choose.
I am not moaning for the sake
of it, but as a graduate myself of
the Lincoln School of
Journalism, I know that poor
reporting must be held to
account.
The Students’ Union, the
University of Lincoln and the
students here have had a number
of successes, why don’t we instil
a bit of pride in being from
Lincoln and celebrate these,
rather than looking to find the
negative in something all of the
time.
I have just come back from
the NUS national conference
where people on a national level
have nothing but praise for the
students and the Students’ Union
here.
No university will ever be
perfect but let’s take a bit of
pride in Lincoln, because it
seems that everyone else is doing
that except us.
Mike Beddoes, Acting SU
President
Give Lincoln some creditfor our election success
Why don’t youget invovled?Dear The Linc
In response to Abbi Quinn’s
article [Who ‘Raise and Gives’ a
sh*t? The Linc, Issue 9]: If
you’re so bothered about it then
get into the RAG team and help
us out.
We worked really hard on
RAG week this year and raised
more money than we ever did
before. And it took a lot of hard
work. Getting broke students to
donate their money to charity is
hard at the best of times, they’d
much rather spend it on a night
out at the end of the term, than
donating it.
Getting people involved is
difficult, but we did a netball
tournament and the tug of war,
both of which were successful
and really good fun. Especially
when its around dissertation and
hand in times, its very difficult to
get good participation when peo-
ple, especially third years, are
snowed under with work!
The problem is, like with a
lot of stuff, we can’t use the
Engine Shed to do events as its
not directly affiliated with the
SU. This means we have to do
events that people want to get
involved with, without going out
each night. We were trying to get
people involved in different
ways.
If you think the RAG team
didn’t work hard enough then
you should have got involved
really. Have you been on one of
the RAG fundraisers, the Pirates
V Sailors night at the beginning
of the year or the Mr Men night
out just a month or so ago?
Don’t think so…
The problem RAG have is
that people like you complain
about it, but still don’t get
involved at all… do something
about it and get involved.
Kayleigh Turner
Dear The Linc,
People don’t get involved
because we don’t know how to.
All that happens is we see a
poster go up on the day of an
event, and it’s not enough notice
to rearrange ready made plans.
This article has done more to
raise the profile of RAG than
anything else all year in my hon-
est opinion.
Steph Senyszyn
We won’t takecriticism if youdidn’t take partDear The Linc,
Correct, £3000 isn't the biggest
amount we could have raised but
it is triple the amount the RAG
society made last year and at the
moment is heading towards
£4000.
Secondly, we refuse to take
critisicsm from someone who
has done nothing to help all year.
As a candidate running for the
elections I would hope she
would be up to date on all the
goings on from the Students’
Union and RAG society.
In terms of RAG raids the
RAG society has already attend-
ed two and has done numerous
fundraisers externally of RAG
week including the RAG cloak-
room, the RAG quiz, the two
pub crawls, pirates and sailors,
the ‘Mr Men’ big night out, a
cake sale and stall at the volun-
teers fayre, a performance in the
AU talent show, Children in
Need RAG raid on campus,
breast cancer RAG raid on cam-
pus, raffle and doughnut sale
which raised over £450 on
Freshers’ Fayre.
Also the car fundraiser did
not raise £800 it raised £545
which we thought was an amaz-
ing fundraiser and fully support-
ed and helped organise along
with the duck race, netball and
football tournament, quiz, tug of
war, miles for sport relief, spon-
sored silence and 24 hours in a
cage.
As for the promotion and
publicity, three siren shows, arti-
cles on all the University face-
book sites, numerous posters,
articles on the website and the
Rag website and the universty
portal seemed addequite enough.
Abbi also complained that no
one knew what RAG was and it
wasn't visible enough depsite the
fact that on both the Tower bar
and Engine shed we have the
collection tins with Rag labels on
them!
Finally comparing us to
Bristol is ridiculous, they own
their commercial services and
include their block grant that the
university gives them in their
total!
If we owned the Engine
Shed, shop and Riseholme bar
then sure of course we would
want to look at a massive total
but unfortunately we don't so we
have to work with the resources
we have, which when I last
checked are minimal and with
volunteers something that Abbi
has not put herself forward for
despite obviously being so pas-
sionate about it.
Fingers crossed next year we
can triple our total again!
Maria Yesufu
Societies Officer, SU
Same eventsas last year...Dear The Linc,
How does one get involved in
the RAG team? Or is it a friends
invite only? Where is the adver-
tisement to get involved?
This year was the first year
that RAG elected a committee,
but how many people were actu-
ally aware that it was happening?
Most people, still, even in their
third year, do not know what
RAG is. RAG is such a good
idea and such a good opportunity
for students to have a laugh and
to do something good for the
local chairites but it is not adver-
tised enough.
I speak from experience. Last
year I was involved in RAG as a
volunteer. But it was pretty much
Dan Windross doing most things
with help from myself, Junior
Mayala and Mike Beddoes. It’s a
good idea to elect a commitee
but its still the students that don’t
know a)who you are and b)what
you do.
“It’s advertised on Facebook
and at the Engine Shed”... well
congratulations but that is not
getting out there and meeting the
people telling them what you do.
It is informative to get on the
social networks and invite peo-
ple. But most people decline
groups anyway. The only time
people ever hear about the events
or nights out that RAG organise
is when they see the photos on
Facebook of them a day after the
event.
As for variety of the events
that apparently happened, but
slipped everyone by, thumbs up
for originality, the same events
that were on last year.
At no point does the writer of
this article individually target a
member of the RAG team. It was
simply an investigative piece that
mainly states fact. I think this
article has raised more awareness
of RAG than this years team did.
Kerry Freeman
RAG reactionLast issue, Abbi Quinn made her feelings clear about RAG week. Hereare a selection of the responses received by The Linc
From the Web:
Dear The Linc,
In response to Hayley Cook’s
article in the last edition of ‘the-
linc’ we would like to provide
some feedback and clarity to the
story; “Giving £’s to lose
pounds”. First of all, I would
like to thank Hayley for her arti-
cle which highlighted the cost of
using gyms to stay healthy and
keep fit.
As Hayley states “prices at
the University gym are reason-
able” during peak and off peak
usage. At the University Sports
Centre we do try to provide clear
prices, with no hidden extras; so
often fitness companies do use a
number of techniques to confuse
the purchasers such as bundling,
add ons, etc.
It can be a minefield in deter-
mining the real price you pay for
your gym membership; that is
why the University gym prices
are kept simple to follow.
Remember ‘all that glitters is not
gold’ but some people will be
drawn towards the glitzy market-
ing which surrounds these com-
panies.
It is also good to have the
opportunity to use other gyms in
the area; after all, we live in an
open market economy. In the
future we will be developing an
off peak monthly membership
which will provide an even bet-
ter gym use opportunity; this is
aimed at depressing demand at
peak times when it is extremely
busy.
We should also remember
that the University gym has
excellent equipment and was
only refurbished last year. We
also provide one to one training
at £10 per hour with trained and
friendly staff; were competitors
are charging £25.
Customer service is very
important to us and we do carry
out standard customer service
checks. We always expect our
staff to be highly professional
helpful and to keep a customer
focus to the highest level.
Finally, we fully understand
that ‘you do not have to be ill to
get better’, so if you do have
suggestions which would
improve the use of the facility
and can be sustainable please do
contact us. Again thank you
Hayley for highlighting the gym
and as you said at the very end
of your story “the University
seems like the right choice”
Robin Wright, Director of
Sport
Don’t be fooled by glitzy marketingat other gyms, says director of sport
sportdebateGOT SOMETHING TO SAY? EMAIL THE SPORTS EDITOR: [email protected]
The finest sport debate from The Linc team. Think you cancontribute? Get in touch!Check out www.thelinc.co.uk for more details.
THEREYNOLDSVIEW
As Chelsea prepare to meet
Liverpool for the second successive
year in the Champions League
semi-finals perhaps it is time to talk about
the great things in English football.
For instance, what a superb advert
Liverpool and Arsenal created for the
national game with their two pulsating
quarter-final matches.
Arsenal’s footballing brilliance and
Liverpool’s never say die sturdiness provided for one of the
greatest second legs in Champions League history.
The games were competitive without the usual ten-man
brawl. The referee was given total respect and both teams, on the
whole, did their best to play entertaining football.
To be honest, the only shame was that we weren’t treated to
another thirty minutes of enthralling action, as it had looked for
so long, that we would be.
At the same time in West London, ‘ugly’ Chelsea’s belea-
guered fans were treated to a typically workmen like perform-
ance by Michael Ballack and co., scraping to a 3-2 aggregate win
over Turkish side Fenerbahce.
Not wanting this to sound like sour grapes, but I would prefer
to watch Arsenal lose than Chelsea win every day of the week. A
ridiculous statement I hear you say, but I think it’s more because
I’m a fan of ‘football’ and to be honest I’m not a fan of paying
40 quid to watch
John Terry and
Ricardo
Carvalho shut
up shop after
half an hour.
But fair play
to them, if foot-
ball’s about win-
ning then they
are certainly very good at it, but if my club were so uninspiring
in victory, I would be asking some very serious questions.
At the end of the day, football has evolved, with the amount
of money players are now paid winning ‘ugly’ is no longer good
enough, footballers are showmen, they must entertain and that
perhaps is where Chelsea are light years behind.
Further north and just a day earlier Manchester United
wrapped up a 3-0 aggregate win over Roma showing just why
they are the finished product.
Sir Alex Ferguson has created the complete football side,
skill, guile, controlled aggression, and most of all that killer
instinct.
And as they prepare to wrap up yet another title win, perhaps
it’s time for rival manager’s to take their hats off to the real,
‘Special One’.
I would prefer towatch Arsenal
lose than Chelsea winevery day of theweek
English brillianceshines through
EXPERT EYE: Ben Wright - Striker
Gary Moss
“Ronnie O’Sullivan will win
this year’s world crown. When
this man plays, there is really
no stopping him. And, he will
be hungry for a third world
title; there can be no doubting
that. The decade was supposed
to belong to ‘The Rocket’ but
a crop of fine young players
have stopped him having it all
his own way in recent years. I
think he will serve out a lesson
or two at Sheffield this year.”
Paul Smith
“I think Peter Ebdon will win
it this year. There is no denying
for me that Ronnie O'Sullivan,
on his day, is unstoppable. But
he doesn't like playing Ebdon
because of their different
styles. O'Sullivan likes to get it
over and done with and gets
frustrated by Ebdon's slow
approach. This will tell, and
with them in separate halves of
the draw, it would make a great
final.”
Hayley Cook
“I would love to see Mark
Selby in the final of the World
Championship this year, and I
hope the ‘Leicester Jester’
wins. He surprisingly reached
the showpiece at the Crucible
last season and beat Ronnie
O’Sullivan in the final of the
Welsh Open 2008 back in
February. He has proved that
he can play at a high standard
now.”
Aaron Scott
“Mark Selby will be the man
to beat in this year’s World
Championships in my opinion.
After winning the Masters on
his first attempt in January as
well as being last season world
runner-up, he is now estab-
lished as one of the circuit’s
big-guns. Shaun Murphy could
well be in with a chance after
an impressive showing in
China last month.”
lincpanel: WORLD SNOOKERThe Crucible Theatre raises its curtains to another 888.com World Snooker Championship as theworld number one Scot John Higgins bids to retain his crown. The Linc’s sports writers bring youtheir informed opinion on the Sheffield showpiece.
Ben Wright tops the Imps scoring charts in only his first season at Sincil Bank since joining fromNorwegian outfit IK Start. Linc sport editor Gary Moss caught up with the City marksman to dis-cuss the Champions League, amongst other sporting issues.
The 27-year-old has been a hit with SincilBank supporters, following an impressive13 goals since becoming a regular inDecember.
AU Update with Chris RobertsLET me take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Chris
Roberts and I have been elected to take over from Gavin Sumner in
his role of Athletic Union (AU) Sports and Teams president when he
leaves in June.
This is my first column for student newspaper, The Linc, and just
one of many ways you can keep in touch with what is going on in
the sports scene at the University.
Firstly, I would like to wish Gav the best of luck with his future
endeavours and thank him for the fantastic job that he has done. He
has certainly set a benchmark for any future AU sabbatical officers.
We have had a lot of success in the sports teams at the
University, highlighted by our recent victory in the Varsity against
Derby.
It was a fantastic sporting occasion and a fine way to end the
sporting year. But this was just one of many successes enjoyed.
The women’s football team were just one of three Lincoln sides
to win their league title this year. The pinnacle of their campaign
was marked by an emphatic 21-0 victory over Newman College.
The rugby league team and men’s football side were also
crowned champions in an excellent season of achievement.
With the University cricketers and athletes still to begin, it could
mean even more triumph for us. So, good luck to those students as
they represent our colours in the coming weeks.
It has been an incredible season already and I cannot wait to start
to help next year’s teams replicate this year’s feats.
I look forward to writing many more columns for The Linc once
I am in the full swing of the job, writing about the successes that we
have had both on and off the pitch.
Iffy Banks on City progressLINCOLN City acting manager Iffy Onuora is looking forward to
the next league campaign and the prospect of progress at Sincil
Bank.
City linger in the mid-table safety net of League Two after steer-
ing clear of relegation in the early months of 2008.
But Onuora is now focussed on getting things right for the next
campaign.
“We want to do things the right way. We have got good ambi-
tions to push on for next season,” he said.
“We are not going to be one of the big spenders next season so
we have to utilise what we’ve got to the best of our ability.”
The Imps chief believes all the signs are right for success.
“We have some fine young players and that helps us to root the
Football Club in the community,” explained Onuora.
“We have a good set of players so that is an excellent platform.
“We need to bring in the right players to improve us.
“It is hard to look into the future without a crystal ball this is a
club that can move in the right direction.”
Gary Moss
Keeper hopes for US scholarship
University goalkeeper Paul Keeling hopes to play in America
Cricketers aim to hit opposition for six
CRICKET captain Rob Cook
believes an exciting summer lies
ahead for his side as they aim to
“dominate” the league in their
first season of competitive com-
petition.
The team was formed early
last year and looks likely to excel
after being placed in the lowest
division possible – according to
BUSA rules.
They enjoyed a taste of suc-
cess last term in some friendly
matches against established sides
in much higher divisions.
And, with five fresh faces on
board this season, Cook insists
the squad is more than capable of
winning every single league fix-
ture.
“The lads that have joined the
side this season have given the
team an extra boost and some-
what of a makeover,” he said.
“They have added much need-
ed depth to the squad and brought
something new to nearly every
area of the side.
“Nothing less than a win from
every game will be accepted to be
honest, because I know we have
more than enough talent here.
“The lads are capable of play-
ing at a much higher level which
we demonstrated last year when
we went to Derby who are two
leagues above us and gave them a
lesson in cricket.
“And because of that I feel we
should really run away with the
league this season,” he explained.
Cook picked out England
indoor under-19s fast bowler
Mike Worne, who will make his
debut for the University this sea-
son, as a player he expects to
make the biggest impact.
And with many key batsmen
from last year still in the ranks,
runs should also be plentiful for
Cook’s side if they can stay
focused.
“Mike (Worne) should really
scare the death out of all the bats-
men in this division,” insisted
Cook.
“His pace is unbelievable for
this level of cricket and I can eas-
ily see him taking a hat full of
wickets this season.
“We should also have no prob-
lem piling on the runs either, as
batsmen like Nick (Tennant), Dan
(Wakeling) and Edward
(Bosworth) can be brilliant on
their day.
“But at the end of the day con-
centration is the key to our suc-
cess.
“As long as we keep our heads
and don’t take any games for
granted then it should be a bril-
liant season for us.”
Aaron Scott
IMPS IN BRIEF:
Lincoln United relegatedWHITES IN BRIEF:
LINCOLN United have been relegated for the first time in twenty-
nine years, but manager Mark Shaw has vowed to bring them back
even stronger.
The Whites dropped out of the UniBond Premier division with
three games of the season still to play, having won just seven games
over the whole campaign.
A 3-0 home defeat against title-chasing Fleetwood Town saw the
inevitable become a reality as Shaw’s men fell from the safety zone.
Shaw is determined to stay in the Ashby Avenue hot seat next
season, and believes he can lead them back into the UniBond’s top
tier at the first attempt.
“I think it is a great club. I’d like to be here next season, I’d like
to be given a fair crack of the whip and a full chance,” he revealed.
“We will bounce back, we will become stronger. As daft as it
sounds, as bad as it sounds, football clubs sometimes need to go
back a step to go forwards two.
“I think we will come back stronger, we’ll come back better pre-
pared, more organized and there will be more stability.
“And hopefully there will be a few more supporters coming
through the door when we do get to the next level in the new
league.”
Despite his ever-glowing optimism, Shaw couldn’t hide his dis-
appointment at United’s first relegation since the 1978/79 season.
“Obviously it is disappointing, after getting promoted last sea-
son at another club to go to this, it is a new experience.”
Shaw displaced John Ramshaw in December, and completely
overturned the whole squad, with little success as results continued
to dwindle. Paul Smith
COOKIE: Rob Cook hopes to win the league this summer
30th April ………………............Staffordshire 2nd team (H)
4th May ……………………….. Aston 2nd team (A)
7th May …………………... .......Coventry 2nd team (A)
11th May ………………….... ....Lincoln 2nd team (A)
14th May…………………. .......Northants (H)
18th May….………….. ..............Birmingham Col (A)
FIXTURES
Emergency striker Connie Wain helped Lincoln’s womens to the first point of the 2008 Varsity, but the
men couldn’t make it a double.
Wain, 20, who usually plays in goal for the first team enjoyed a fruitful spell up front, bagging twice
in a 4-2 win.
“I was pleased to get two goals on the day and my first for the University. To say I’m a goalkeeper,
it’s not a bad effort,” she explained.
“I enjoyed playing up front for a change.
“More importantly than my own performance, it’s good to do our bit in the Varsity.”
Vicky Poole and Christine Hagan were also on the goal trail as the Minerva’s raced into a four goal
lead.
The visitors stole in for two late strikes, but it was not to deny a Lincoln side inspired by an outstand-
ing Simone Upton.
The men’s team could not avoid defeat in a ferocious clash despite taking an early lead through Matt
Woodhouse.
Lincoln ended up on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline following a spirited Derby fightback.
Goalscorer Woodhouse reflected on a hard fought encounter, he said: “It was probably the toughest
game we’ve played all season but we were the better team throughout, it’s just a shame they nicked a
winner.”
14 thelinc.co.uk
Lincoln’s netball team steamed to a 37 - 18 win in a game which was closer than the scoreline suggests.
The Minerva’s were strong out of the blocks, securing an eight-point lead by the end of the first quar-
ter, thanks to goals from EJ Pritchard, Helen Mycroft and Charlie Moore.
However Derby came back into the game in the second quarter with their goal-attack causing the
Lincoln defence problems, cutting their lead to three by half-time.
But a rallying cry from vice captain Sophie Pemberton assured a better performance in the third quar-
ter with Lincoln extending their lead to an unassailable margin.
Following the win Stef Downing, who was outstanding throughout, spoke about the game, “first quar-
ter was really good but second we dropped a little, but after half time we were on top and went on to win
the game,” she said.
She also gave credit to a Derby side who at times looked close to an upset.
“Derby played really well, their goal-defense was probably the best player in the game,” she admitted.
But Downing also gave her own side credit, “we’re delighted to have beaten a team that on the day
played at a similar level to us.”
The edge was taken off of the victory somewhat by the news that the second team were defeated by
Buxton, 58 – 36 in an end to end encounter.
Skipper Sean Knight celebrated his last game with a six-point win in the Varsity, but the women nar-
rowly lost by two points to leave it honours even on the court.
Knight pulled in a man-of-the-match performance as the Lincoln Lakers celebrated victory in a tense
contest. He said: “It feels good. It was my last game and I’m glad I left it on a win.”
Lincoln worked hard to claim their Varsity point in a game that could have gone either way.
“The team played well. No-one messed up and everyone enjoyed it so I’m happy,” explained the
impressive Knight.
“Derby are a good team. We’ve played them before and they beat us so it was good to get a bit of
revenge, especially in the Varsity.”
On the next court, Lincoln’s women narrowly missed out on completing the double despite a valiant
effort.
Adiam Solomon congratulated her team nonetheless.
“It was a really, really close game. Last time we played Derby, they won by two points in the last
minute – exactly the same as this time.
“There was some mix up in the middle but we played really well, especially compared to the start of
the season.”
It was late agony for the second successive year for the American footballers, as Derby clinched a
last gasp win.
The hosts ran out narrow 20-14 winners owing to a touchdown six minutes from time leaving
Lincoln to stew on another dramatic Varsity defeat.
Karl Halpin and Daniel Wood scored but it was not enough to deny Derby their win in a physical
encounter.
Society president Alex Robson could not hide his disappointment but was philosophical in defeat.
“We thought we could beat them but once again it has happened in the final quarter and it is just a
case of unfortunate events,” he explained.
“We have to accept it, that is the way it goes and it happens in every sport.
“We have to take it on the chin and move on.”
NETBALL...
HOCKEY...
AMERICAN FOOTBALL...
BASKETBALL...
The Linc’s sports writers Gary Moss, Paul Smith, Hayley Cook and Adam Reynolds bring you the full round-up of Varsity action...
VARSITY SPECIAL
thelinc.co.uk 15
It was plain sailing for the men’s football sides who secured two crucial points to determine
the destiny of the Varsity Shield.
Two mixed sides went goal crazy with 4-0 and 5-2 wins over Derby and Buxton respectively.
The hosts defence simply could not cope with a rampant Lincoln.
Greg De Souza, who led his side to a demolition of Derby, insists the Varsity point means
more than his sides victory itself.
“As long as Lincoln win that is the main thing - two points from the footballers is the most
we can do,” he explained.
“It’s a great result, the Varsity is a big thing for us third years.
“We wanted to get another win over Derby and in the Varsity is the most important time to
produce it.”
Simon Mowbray bagged a brace with Peter Williams and Mark Bottomley also on target for
De Souza’s side.
Callum Lester captained the side who beat Buxton, with goals from five different sources.
Carl Russo, James Hood, Adam Hindhaugh, Chiedu Oraka and AU President Gav Sumner
were on the goal trail, leaving Lester delighted.
“There were five different scorers and everyone has had an input, even the ones who didn’t
score,” he enthused.
“We’ve had about 14 lads who have played and they’ve pulled their weight which is the
main thing.
“We grouped together and played them off the park.”
A second half masterclass saw the women footballers run out comfortable 6-0 winners, but this year’s
league champions were hungry for more.
Natasha Murray and Kirsty Smith struck two each, while Jen Purnell and Emily Hill also got in on the act.
After a goalless first 45, Lincoln rallied to a convincing win, leaving goalkeeper Rosie Millbrow just
about satisfied.
“We will take the second half performance and take the win but we’ve played better than that,” she
said.
“It was a very tense first half because I thought we were going to absolutely annihilate them.”
Scorer Purnell was pleased Lincoln adapted their game against a physical Derby outfit.
“They were so aggressive they didn’t really care about taking the ball, they went straight through us,
we had to have the same mentality,” she revealed.
Stopper Millbrow, who has conceded a mere five goals all season, reflected on the value of securing a
crucial Varsity Series point.
“The Varsity means a lot to us, for some people this is their last year so it’s good to contribute to the
fact that Lincoln have won the Varsity again.
Captain Sophie Lepper was left stunned as Derby cruised to a shock 63-5 hammering of her
Lincoln side.
The Minerva’s have enjoyed a string of comfortable victories over the opponents in previous
meetings, but a rejuvenated Derby side turned the form book on its head to leave their mark on
the series.
Lepper, who scored Lincoln’s only points, admits complacency may have cost them.
“We might have come down here expecting to win,” she declared.
“It did not go as planned I have to admit.
“We’ve beaten them in the last five games in a row so it was unfortunate but they were the
best team on the day.
“We didn’t expect Derby to come at us as hard as they did but it was a good game.”
The skipper has now played her final match for the university but has high hopes of the squad
will reclaim the trophy when the sides do battle next year.
“That was my last game as captain and it’s pretty sad as there are four of us leaving, but hope-
fully the girls can get the Varsity back next year,” she said.
“It’s a shame we didn’t finish on a more positive note but we had our tour last month and
enjoyed ourselves there.”
MEN’S FOOTBALL...
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL...
MEN’S RUGBY UNION...Lincoln made sure of the Varsity crown with a fine 25-10 to deny Derby a dramatic draw.
Andy Appleyard’s warriors raced into a commanding 25-0 lead and despite a late Derby fightback
it was not enough to rescue the Varsity as a superb James Fricker had already done the damage with two
tries in front of partisan travelling support.
Tom Wright added to the points tally with a try of his own.
Skipper Appleyard felt the backing of the Lincoln crowd spurred his men on.
“The crowd here gave us extra incentive,” he explained.
“It was brilliant, we wanted to get some points on board early doors and we did that, once we got
such a commanding lead there was no coming back.
“The quality from our boys was exceptional, they all put up great games.”
Star man Fricker played down his contribution but was delighted with the win.
“I got lucky with the tries because they aren’t the best defensive side, there were a lot of gaps in their
defence and it was just easy to attack them,” he revealed.
“We should have put them to bed but we’re very happy with the win.
WOMEN’S RUGBY UNION...
Lincoln finished the first day’s play on home turf on a high condemning Derby to a 6-2 defeat in
the Badminton, leaving the Minerva’s ahead overnight.
Captain Jonathan Waite was delighted with his sides performance.
“It went fantastically well and although we expected to win our performance made it all the bet-
ter.
“Everyone played a good game and it was great to get involved in the spirit of the Varsity.”
But in the first event of the second day at Derby, Lincoln were on the wrong end of a 4-1 score-
line in rowing.
In an event new to the Varsity schedule for this year, Derby took the lead for the first and only
time in the entire competition.
Vice-president Richard Mehrtens insists Lincoln deserved more.
“The contest was closer than the score would suggest - it was probably Derby’s extra training
which made the difference on the day though.”
ELSEWHERE...
lincsportThe wheelchair challengeLinc assistant editor Dan Clough takes tohis wheels to see how he gets onNews feature, Page 7
The best and most comprehensive coverageof University of Lincoln sports news.Got a story? Email the sports desk: [email protected]
N U M B E R O N E S O U R C E F O R S P O R T
LINCOLN have won the Varsity
Shield 2008 with an 8-6 margin
over fierce rivals Derby.
The Minerva’s came from 5-4
down to win the competition for
the second year in succession and
preserve their 100 per cent
record.
The men’s rugby union team
sealed the crown with a final
match 25-10 win over their East
Midlands rivals, to deny Derby a
series leveller.
Athletics Union (AU) presi-
dent Gavin Sumner was delighted
with Lincoln’s superb perform-
ance to end a fine season in style.
“It is absolutely wonderful; it
is the second Varsity we’ve had
and the second we’ve won,” he
said.
“I am over the moon to be pre-
sented with the shield and to
retain the Varsity.
“It is nice to see everyone
together and winning for Lincoln.
“It was as much fun off the
field as it was on it.”
Sumner admits he was wary
as Lincoln trailed the series 5-4
early on in the second day at
Derby last Wednesday.
“I was really panicking at one
stage,” explained the AU presi-
dent.
“It has been very close this
year – it is a great testament to
Derby because they have
invested their time and money
into the event.”
But after a superb comeback
which saw the Minerva’s win
four of their last five games for
the shield, Sumner was ecstatic.
“This year means so much
more, last time I was more wor-
ried about making the event a
success whereas this year I knew
we had everyone behind us,” he
said.
“All of the teams have done us
proud. There are no winners and
no losers - you are doing it for
your university.”
The Varsity shield marks the
end of Sumner’s reign as AU
president. He admits he will miss
life without Lincoln’s sports
teams, but is sure the Varsity will
continue to develop.
“It has really grown and you
could see from the support we
took to Derby that everyone is
having fun, and that is what mat-
ters,” explained Sumner.
“It is a fairly emotional day; it
is very difficult for me because it
is such a big part of my life.
“It is the end of an era for me but
it is fantastic for someone else to
take on.
“The banter at Lincoln is fantas-
tic and I’m going to miss it.
“Hopefully this event will grow
and grow. I’ll come back in a few
years time and it will be massive
- I’m looking forward to coming
back to the Varsity as a supporter
next year and not having to
worry.”
Gary Moss
BACK HOME
RETURNING VARSITY SHIELD: Proud Lincoln team captains bring shield home after fierce contest with East Midlands rivals Derby. (from left to right): Sophie Pemberton, Sophie Lepper, Adam Bull, ConnieWain, Dan Howard, Bev Andrews, Shaun Knight, Caroline O'Shaughnessy, Callum Lester, Hanna Benihoud, Andy Appleyard and Gavin Sumner (front). Picture by Ben Reeves.
Lincoln return victorious with Varsity Shield
Chris RobertsThe newly elected AU officer writes for thevery first time for lincsportSport, Page 13
