Vanbrugh 1sts have been drawn with Derwent 1sts in Group 4 of the College Cup 2013, as they look to defend the title they won last year. While no single group stands out as an undisputed ‘Group of Death,’ Group 4 looks the strongest.
James 2nds have also been drawn in that group, and are likely to find it difficult to reach the cup knock-out against the 1sts teams who finished 2nd and 3rd in this term’s league. Goodricke 2nds, Halifax 3rds and Langwith 3rds make up that group.
Challenging Group 4 for the title of most difficult group is Group 2. Spring term champions Wentworth 1sts and autumn term champions James 1sts will find stiff competition from Vanbrugh 2nds and Derwent 2nds, in what is likely to be an interesting battle for places in the cup. Meanwhile, Alcuin 3rds and Goodricke 3rds complete the line up.
Wentworth may struggle to repeat their recent triumph in the summer, with other sides including their group rivals James, Vanbrugh and Derwent likely to be bolstered by university players. The 3rds teams meanwhile will also be keen to make a run at the plate.
Group 1 sees Halifax 1sts as the standout team, and their progression to the cup knock-out should be straightforward. Langwith 1sts, winless this year in college football, will be challenged by Alcuin 2nds and Wentworth 2nds in what should be an exciting competition for second place. Derwent 3rds and James 3rds, also in Group 1, are amongst the stronger 3rds teams and are also certain to provide a tough contest.
Finally, Group 3 will include Goodricke 1sts and Alcuin 1sts, with Halifax 2nds the most likely challengers for a top-two finish outside of the 1sts teams. Langwith 2nds, Vanbrugh 3rds and Wentworth 3rds complete that group, with Vanbrugh aiming to replicate their giant-killing exploits from last year.
The Cup begins in week three of the summer term. Each team will play one match a week until the final round of games in week seven. Weeks eight and nine see the knock-outs: the cup for 1st and 2nd placed teams, the plate for 3rd and 4th place, and the vase for 5th place teams, which will also incorporate the leading fourths teams from this year’s leagues.