BUCS Scottish Conference Finals Review

The annual BUCS Scottish Conference Finals, held in St Andrews, was another great success. Despite the cold and coastal wind, this didn’t stop a jam-packed day with over 500 students participating, 9 sports, 21 fixtures, and many supporters cheering from the sidelines or on the bleachers. 

Hockey: 

The day kicked off at the hockey pitch, where Edinburgh 6s and Stirling 2s battled it out to win the ICG Women’s Trophy. It was a well-contested and close-call game that ended in a draw at the final whistle. The winner was decided through penalty strokes; Stirling edging Edinburgh 4-1, securing their trophy and title. 

The ICG Hockey Women’s Cup Final began shortly after, with Edinburgh 4s and St Andrews 2s. Another impressive athletic display, however saw Edinburgh fell short 3-1 against St Andrews. 

The men’s hockey fixtures were played in the afternoon; a nail-biting performance between St Andrews 3s v Aberdeen 2s, concluding in a penalty stroke shoot off. But yet again, the home side, St Andrews, raised the Hockey Men’s Trophy. 

Another St Andrews side returned to the hockey pitch alongside Strathclyde to declare the Hockey Men’s Cup title. Strathclyde 1s break St Andrews’ streak with a 2-0 win. 

Netball:

It was a westside derby with the University of Glasgow 5s facing Glasgow Caledonian 1s in the EY Netball Women’s Trophy but the girls in blue came up on top winning 50-32. Rachael Maclean of Glasgow Caledonian was awarded MVP. 

Strathclyde 2s and St Andrews 2s followed in a high scoring game, yet “Team Tech” pulled it out of the bag, leading 67 to 43 at full time. Strathclyde’s midcourt, Aina Jenkins-Garcia was crowned MVP.

Tennis: 

It was an East coast v West coast face off with Edinburgh 2s and Glasgow 2s walking onto the tennis courts – but who came out on top to declare the Teach First Tennis Women’s Cup Final title? After some intense moments, Edinburgh won the Cup and Daniella Scotland was named MVP. 

The Teach First Tennis Men’s Cup Final invited St Andrews 2s and Stirling 5s onto the court; an undoubtedly competitive rivalry! St Andrews sought revenge over the Stirling side after last year’s result, and worked their magic, affirming 6-0 and being crowned champions. St Andrews’ Timothy Moore received MVP.  

Despite the classic Scottish weather conditions, this didn’t stop Heriot-Watt and Stirling in the Teach First Tennis Fast Four Men’s Final. It was safe to say that this wasn’t only a battle for the title, but a fight for survival in the multi-directional freezing wind. Stirling carried victory over Heriot-Watt, 5-1. Mark Rutherford from Heriot-Watt was awarded MVP. 

Volleyball:

The Volleyball Women’s Cup Final was atmospheric to say the least with never a dull moment or a trickle of silence. A fierce Glasgow side faced a cool and collected St Andrews. However, the west coast warriors champion the sets in a 3-0 win!

The Volleyball Men’s Cup Final followed later in the afternoon, with Edinburgh 2s and Stirling 1s bringing the heat in an intense showdown. After some thrilling passages of play, Edinburgh lands on top 3-1. 

Basketball:

The BT Basketball Women’s Cup Final showcased a close and highly contested face-off between St Andrews and Glasgow. The Conference Finals host, edged the westside, 60-53, with Heather Ritchie (St Andrews) crowned MVP.

The fun-filled and busy day of competitive sport ended after an outstanding, high-scoring game between Aberdeen and Stirling in the BT Basketball Men’s Cup Final. Stirling secured the title for the third year in a row, leading 95 to Stirling’s 70 points.

Lacrosse:

Alongside the other outdoor sports, the Lacrosse Women’s Cup Final was hosted in a crossfire of high winds and frostbite-like conditions, yet Stirling and Dundee both gave phenomenal performances in a nail-biting fixture. At the final whistle, Dundee are titled champions after a close contested match ending in 12-10. Stirling’s Eilidh Montgomery was announced as MVP. 

Badminton:

The Badminton Mixed Cup welcomed Dundee and Glasgow Caledonian. After some fast-paced and impressive rallies, Dundee concluded the match-up, 9-3 and brought home the Cup. Hamish McAllister of Dundee was voted MVP. 

Football: 

Having only affiliated with Scottish Student Sport this year, it was great to see West College Scotland facing an experienced Heriot-Watt side in the ALDI Football Men’s Trophy. Heriot-Watt won 4-2 after extra time and Adam Kyle from the Edinburgh side was awarded MVP. 

Aberdeen and Edinburgh Napier followed in the ALDI Men’s Cup with the Knights confirming the win, 3-1. 

The University of Aberdeen returned to the pitch, meeting Stirling in the ALDI Football Women’s Cup Final. The “granite city” university claimed the title, winning 3-1. 

Rugby: 

The Rugby Men’s Trophy kicked off with Aberdeen 3s facing Heriot-Watt 3s. It was difficult to depict who was making more noise – the players or the abundance of supporters on the sidelines. The tension on and off the pitch was like no other but Heriot-Watt edged Aberdeen 31-29 at the final whistle. 

Another Conference Finals derby face-off saw Edinburgh 2s and Edinburgh Napier 1s battling it out for the Rugby Men’s Cup Final title. After a well-contested match, the University of Edinburgh claim the Cup after a 26-17 success. 

The Rugby Women’s Cup served excellent play and showcased incredible sporting moments to finish the rugby campaign with Edinburgh Napier 1 challenging Glasgow Caledonian 1s. However, Glasgow Caledonian won with an incredible distance, ending in 82-10 and Katie Lister awarded MVP. 

The 2025 BUCS Scottish Conference Finals displayed fantastic sporting moments and created everlasting memories. The event would not have been possible without the students, but the officials, volunteers, organisers, hosts and spectators as well – a huge thank you goes to all of you! We are excited to see what the future holds for Scottish student sport. 

By Alex Brattesani

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