St Hilda’s netball teams have started their campaigns with commanding wins, while the men’s football teams are yet to kick a ball.

Semester 2 is here and that means the start of arguably two of the biggest sports on the University of Melbourne Intercollegiate Sports calendar, netball and football (Australian Rules).

St Hilda’s has built a reputation of performing well in both and the students representing the College in 2018 will be hoping this year is no different.

Reigning netball champions in the 1’s and with the 2’s also always thereabouts at the business end, expectations are again high for Hilda’s two netball teams.

And there is fair reason for this optimism as both teams have opened their campaigns in dominant and comprehensive fashion.

The St Hilda’s 1’s opened their account with a 47-7 rout of St Mary’s College on the first day back of Semester 2.

The Hilda’s defence suffocated St Mary’s for large parts of the contest, while at the other end shooters Franjesca Cercarelli, Emily McInerney and Isabell Simmonds all had their radars on in the goal circle.

They followed that result up with another convincing display as they defeated Newman College 43-15 in a physical encounter, which even consisted of some friendly fire with Eve Gregor and Sophie Walmsley colliding with each other.

The St Hilda’s 2’s netball team opened its account on Friday morning, recording a crushing 46-3 victory over Janet Clarke Hall.

Hilda’s netball teams are set to face stiffer opposition when both meet Queen’s College on Wednesday 1 August, the 1’s starting at 7.10am before the 2’s match at 8am.

In a terrific new initiative, St Hilda’s and Queen’s have arranged for their annual encounter to become a Mental Health Awareness match which will see a plaque be presented to the winners each year.

There is still plenty of netball to be played but if the early signs are any indication, both of St Hilda’s netball teams look like they are going to be tough to beat in 2018.

Coaches: Mia Fallon and Sarah Wall

Georgia Sheahan (C), Franjesca Cercarelli (C), Isabella McLeod, Emily McInerney, Rene Caris, Ainsley Baird, Eve Gregor, Sophie Walmsley, Isabelle Simmonds

Coaches: Erin Soller and Karlee Dal Pra

Isabel Dando (C), Lydia Pretty (C), Lucy Fraenkel, Bec Johns, Claire Cook, Aliza Pfitzner, Tahlia Noonan, Chloe Hetherington, Bethany Walder

Emergencies: Sheridan Gundry and Maddi Frost

There is not as much to report on the men’s football front, with neither St Hilda’s 1’s or 2’s men’s football teams having taken the field so far.

The St Hilda’s 1’s team open their campaign this Sunday (5 August) against University College, followed by a showdown with Queen’s College the following Sunday.

The St Hilda’s 2’s team had a forfeit in their opening match as International House failed to field a team. Strangely, this result means that without playing a game, the 2’s move into the Quarter Finals on 12 August against an opponent to be determined.

The women’s football competition gets underway on Sunday 12 August, with the Hilda’s girls to take on Trinity College at 1.20pm at Princes Park Oval 1.

For more information on Melbourne University Intercollegiate Sport, visithttp://www.sport.unimelb.edu.au/CollegeSport