Since the last update there has been squash, soccer and hockey, with the biggest news being the magnificent feat of Hilda’s women’s hockey team who won the inter-collegiate title for the second straight year. Thus, it would be remiss not to lead off with their exploits in this edition of ‘around the grounds’.

Women’s Hockey

St Hilda’s has reinforced its reputation as the best women’s hockey team among the University of Melbourne’s residential colleges after claiming back-to-back titles courtesy of a stunning and nail-biting grand final victory over Ormond College.

Up 1-0 at half time in the decider courtesy of a Lucy Burbury goal, Hilda’s then found themselves trailing 2-1 as Ormond surged back into the contest. But with time running down, Phoebe McIntosh finished off a well worked penalty corner to draw Hilda’s level and set up a thrilling finale. Neither side could find a winner before the full time whistle, leaving the match to be decided by a penalty shootout.

With the winning team determined by the best of five shots followed by sudden death if required, it was the young women from Hilda’s who managed to hold their nerve when it counted as they prevailed 3-2 on penalties, with goalkeeper Eve Gregor proving the hero.

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The squash competition flew under the radar during mid to late March and the students who represented Hilda’s again did the College proud. They opened with a convincing display against International House, winning eight rubbers to nil to set up a quarter final showdown against Janet Clarke Hall.

The result came down to the wire and after eight matches, all that separated the two colleges were three points with Janet Clarke Hall coming out with their noses in front. It was a gallant effort from the Hilda’s contingent, particularly considering JCH had the world number 65 playing for them.

Hilda’s women’s soccer team show glimpses of potential and managed to find the back of the net an impressive four times across their three matches but were ousted in the quarter finals.

Never seriously headed in an opening 2-1 win over University College, the Hilda’s girls found themselves in a see-sawing tussle with International House in their second match. Down 2-1 at half time, Hilda’s equalised but International House struck late on to triumph in a five goal thriller.

This left Hilda’s to face an in form Ormond College in the quarter finals, and despite their best efforts they bowed out of the competition in a 2-0 result.

Midfielder Elizabeth Stevens, striker Sophie Walmsley and defender Sophia Liang were all prominent in their positions across the three matches.

St Hilda’s came away with a highly commendable third place in the men’s hockey competition. Led by Alex Cain and goalkeeper Liam Lowe, the lads from Hilda’s put four goals past International House and two past Kendall Hall without conceding in their first two matches.

Next came a semi final against Trinity College, a match that would be decided by a solitary goal, which unfortunately came from the stick of a Trinity player. This left Hilda’s to play-off for third and fourth against University College, a game they went on to win 2-0. Mackenzie Mayne, Morgan Fawcett, Nathan Dowe and Hagen Abbot were among a Hilda’s hockey contingent who all played well throughout the competition.

Another of St Hilda’s teams looking to go back-to-back after claiming the title last year, it was not to be for the College’s men’s soccer team.

A first up win over Kendall Hall, which was decided by a penalty shootout after scored were locked 1-1 at full time, put Hilda’s into a Quarter Final against Trinity.

Despite some impressive and promising patches, Trinity made their chances count in a 2-0 result to end St Hilda’s campaign.

Captain Mike Radley, a second year Commerce student from Western Australia, said it was a disappointing way to go out of the competition.

“I think the quality of our team this year (which was coached by two of last year’s players Paul Libreri and Robin Lehane) was better than last year but we got a bit lucky in all of our games last year,” said Radley.

“Trinity’s first goal was good, their striker did really well, but the second goal shouldn’t have been allowed because our goalkeeper had two hands on the ball and their striker slid in and knocked it out so it should have been a free kick,” recalled Radley.

“We really wanted to win again and everyone was pretty disappointed after the game.

” The nature of the competition, in which the duration of matches are cut by at least half from the regulation 90 minutes, can also have an impact on how games are played and the tactics teams take into them.

“Because the game before us went longer than expected and we were the second game, our halves against Kendall Hall were about 16 minutes long, while against Trinity they were probably 25 minute halves,” said Radley.

“When the games are that short they’re very fast paced and you don’t have a lot of time to settle in or get too much of a gauge of your opponent.

“There is a lot of action so it would be good to watch but it’s pretty frenetic when you’re out there.”

Charlie Locke scored the goal against Kendall Hall, while Radley identified midfielders Will Smith and Reece Berger as two of the team’s consistent performers across the two encounters.

The inter-collegiate sports program involves participation and competition between the 10 residential colleges of the University of Melbourne - International House, Janet Clarke Hall, Kendall Hall, Newman College, Ormond College, Queen's College, St. Hilda's College, St. Mary's College, Trinity College and University College.

With events dating back to 1921, the program has a strong tradition of sporting rivalries and excellence that has developed into one of the University's most recognised sports programs. The program is managed on behalf of the Inter-Collegiate Sports Council by Melbourne University Sport.

For more information, visit

http://sport.unimelb.edu.au/CollegeSport