The group of death

On paper Group 4 seems like the most challenging of all the College Cup groups, as last year’s winners Vanbrugh 1sts are drawn alongside the powerhouses of Derwent 1sts, who will be strongly reinforced by a clutch of University players.

Both teams were renowned for their solidity last year, as their defences were barely breached throughout the tournament, and their group clash promises to be an absorbing rematch of last year’s semi-final, which saw Vanbrugh progress through to the final on penalties after a last gasp Phil Taylor equaliser.

However it would be wrong to rule out the other teams in this group. James 2nds in particular are a side who are capable of challenging the top teams in the tournament. The beauty of the College Cup is that 2nds and 3rds teams can beat 1sts teams, and it would be no major surprise if James caused an upset along the way.

Add into the mix a strong Halifax 3rds team and a resurgent Goodricke 2nds and you have an intriguing group in store, where there will be very few easy matches for anyone. If the term ‘Group of Death’ could be applied to any then it would be this one, and if either of the highly fancied Derwent or Vanbrugh underestimate their opposition, they may well live to regret it.

Langwith 3rds are the final team in the group, and after not participating last year, it appears that it could be a challenging campaign for arguably the least fancied team in the tournament. If they could scrape through to the plate competition then that would be construed as an excellent achievement, but even that looks like a tough ask.

Despite the challenges posed by other teams in this group, I still fancy Derwent and Vanbrugh to progress through to the quarter finals of the cup, with Derwent topping the group after exacting revenge on Vanbrugh. My tip would be for James 2nds to manage to hold one of the top teams to a draw, but still only finish third in the table, advancing to the plate competition along with Halifax 3rds, whilst Goodricke and Langwith fall by the wayside.

You never know though, I may well be wrong, and in the College Cup anyone can beat anyone. With the depth of talent that is present in this group, it is a challenge to make any predictions as to who will progress. But in a bold move I’m going to stick my neck on the line before a ball has been kicked and tip Derwent 1sts to lift this year’s College Cup.