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Photos: Philip Mourdjis
Wentworth won the first competitive one-day tournament of the year, as the postgraduate college ducked and dived their way to success in Sunday’s College Dodgeball tournament.
An experienced team defeated their closest rivals Derwent by two ends to one in an absorbing and tense final. Amid tension and at times confrontation, Derwent claimed the first end by a narrow margin, but Wentworth fought back to claim victory by using their experience to overwhelm their spirited opponents.
The postgraduate college remained unbeaten throughout the whole tournament, breezing past Goodricke and Derwent in their group, before convincingly disposing of Vanbrugh in the semi-final.
Derwent meanwhile were forced to work hard to secure their place in the final, firstly by progressing through their group at the expense of a spirited, but slightly depleted, Goodricke team.
In the semi-final they then met an Alcuin team who had topped Group B after narrowly overcoming Vanbrugh in an exciting contest, which was decided in the final end. The first end resulted in an Alcuin victory after a close fought encounter, and the two teams were inseparable as the second end resulted in a tie.
Derwent fought back to remain in the contest by breezing to victory in the third end, before demonstrating their resilience by overpowering Alcuin in the deciding contest.
Alcuin then finished third in the enjoyable event after a walkover victory over Vanbrugh in the third placed playoff, whilst Goodricke deservedly claimed fifth spot after some valiant performances.
The most disappointing aspect was the absence of teams from James and Langwith, whilst Halifax were left with a severely depleted contingent of players, preventing any meaningful involvement on their part.
The dodgeball victory temporarily moves Wentworth to the top of the college standings, and emphasises the progress that they appear to be making to date this year, with participation levels up on previous years.