By Rafe Llewellyn, Second Year, History
Welcome to Epigram's exclusive coverage of Derby Day 2024/25. From Football and Lacrosse to Netball and Tennis, here are the stories behind the biggest day for sport at the University. Brought to you by our talented team of writers.
Unfortunate endings for some of Bristol’s finest athletes but a wholesome end to a season the club can be proud of.
The Bristol women’s first team have had a difficult season, taking just 3 points from the women’s premier division South, achieving just one win and 6 sets across the BUCS year. This did not stop them from coming out firing in the first set, taking an early dominant lead with Jade Lei hitting extremely well from outside and the mean float of Amelia Fumpston’s causing major problems for the Bath back row. A solid first set saw the final score be 25-20 to Bristol.
Bath took decisive momentum in the second set however which would eventually decide the outcome of the match. Taking a brutal 16-6 lead the set looked to already be over. Again the Bristol serve found its flow however and a heroic comeback looked like it could be on the cards. A very difficult task at hand though and Bath eventually regained composure and took the set.
Whilst Bristol continued to fight, the game looked almost decided going into the third set as Bath kindly wrapped the game up quickly for the arriving Korfball members. Bristol showed incredible spirit regardless of the outcome, as they have shown all year. Regardless of the result, the team showed exceptional skill and athleticism. Bath were incredibly strong through the middle of the court, setting up for blocks well and hitting decisively, they were simply too much on the day.
Player of the match goes to Amelia Fumpston, at times her serve simply flew straight through the Bath defence and this asset kept Bristol in the game for large periods of a difficult match.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the curtain, the men’s match was underway. A similarly difficult season for the opposite sex, Bristol came into this one a rare favourite. Bath M1s sit 2 divisions below as of this season, though their squad is far above the level they played at this year. Completing the year with 7 wins from 7 and 0 sets dropped, Bath still had reason to be confident against the Premier Division strugglers.
The game had a friendly air to it, with it being again the final match for many of our men’s and women’s players the atmosphere was joyous and many turned out to support both teams. With both teams also rotating through their squads at a high frequency, we saw high level volleyball from a range of athletes. Even missing their star fresher Zeb Noble to a lacklustre morning alarm, Bristol took a commanding lead, taking the first set comfortably and in a controlled manner. Looking confident going into the second set we saw a variety of acrobatics, with the athletes showing repeatedly that Volleyball is a sport for more than hands.
Bath hit well through middle and as with the women’s team, they blocked well too., setting up and raining down upon the Bristol offence. At this point though, as one spectator put it, ‘The Gytis show has begun.’ Gytis Budrevicius, Bristol’s star Opposite had found his flow.
Leading 11-8 at 2-0 up in the third set, it looked to be all wrapped up but in true Derby Day fashion, the Bath team suddenly turned the tide in momentum. Whilst disappointing for the Bristol crowd that a win no longer looked so comfortable, the game simply got better and better. Both defences stood resolute in the face of high speed attacks from both teams, with Jake Stidwell having a notable performance from libero in this set. The set was characterised by long rallies as a result with both teams finding seemingly impossible digs to keep the game going in an extremely tight 4th set. At this point, star middle blocker, Zeb, had returned from his slumber to make the bench but he was left with no time to make an impact.
The game finished with a tight 26—24 score to make it 2-2. A result that left both teams feeling like they could have taken more from the match. Unfortunately again the arrival of Korf Ball and a tightly packed Derby Day schedule stopped Bristol in their dreams of killing off the game in a fifth set.
A compelling match despite the disparity in relative league positions, player of the match goes to Gytis Budrevicius for his efforts from Opposite.
A lovely atmosphere and an impressive level of Volleyball all round, we say a difficult goodbye to many of our star players for both sexes. We look forward however, to seeing how a reset to the women’s and men’s teams will serve them next year.
Final Scores: Bristol W1 (1) – Bath W1 (2). Bristol M1 (2) – Bath M1 (2)
Featured image: Rafe Llewellyn
