Sports and Societies – Page 2 of 3

26Nov

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Sports & Socs

In Your Socs – Say a Little Prayer for Gospel

Gospel Choir is a group of roughly forty people who all come together on Monday and Thursday evenings to sing popular, well-known songs with a gospel spin. The first two songs that we learnt this year were “Lean on Me” and “I Say A Little Prayer”. Rehearsals start with a number of warm-ups including breathing techniques (which turn into competitions) and singing short extracts from songs in three to five part harmonies. After this, Katie and Michelle sing the soprano, alto and tenor parts one by one so that we can all learn our parts; then comes the slightly terrifying part where we put all the parts together. Nine times out of ten this goes to plan and sounds incredible; however, when it goes wrong, we all have a laugh about it, go through our parts separately and then try again. We...

#BearsDay- Triumph for Men’s Football VI: IMPERIAL 5’s 1-2 RHUL

18Nov

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Sports & Socs

#BearsDay- Triumph for Men’s Football VI: IMPERIAL 5’s 1-2 RHUL

The lads of Royal Holloway football club's fourth team returned to campus with all three points, winning by two goals to one against Imperial fives. It was a game won thanks to organisation and communication across the pitch. The score line does not reflect the stream of chances that were carelessly squandered. Eventually on the stroke of half time a thirty-yard screamer from Geri Soni flew beyond the reach of Imperial’s to go into the break one up. It was to Holloway's disadvantage that the referee had a particular, and perhaps irrational, distaste for high feet which resulted in the conceding of a free kick on the edge of the box.The set piece was converted to make things level. At one a piece Holloway were reminded that it only requires one incident for the game to be turned on it...

18Nov

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Sports & Socs

Andy Murray: The Next Step

‘If I were his coach, I would definitely take a break – he needs a break”. This was the view of John McEnroe after Andy’s catastrophic loss at the hands of Roger Federer. In the final tournament before the ATP tennis curtain draws its blinds, Andy Murray needed to win in two sets to advance into the knockout phase. Instead, the 17-time Grand Slam Champion from Switzerland taught the Brit a lesson, handing the man from Dunblane a 6-0 6-1 thrashing. Murray was made to pack his bags and trudge out of a shocked 02 Arena crowd and into the cold London night. This match represented an inordinately spaced gap between a man who has won this tournament twice, also being ranked two in the world; and a man that had to win three titles, in as many weeks, just to qualify. Murray look beleaguered, Fe...

2Nov

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Sports & Socs

#BearsDay- RHUL Hockey Wolfpack Vs Imperial Medics 5’s

After several months of lone, predatory hunting in the wilderness of Surrey, the Wolfpack finally regrouped to participate in what they do best: Play some mediocre-yet-passable hockey. The summer hadn’t been good on the pack after many of the groups matriarchs had left for pastures new, more specifically actual careers, but many of the new pups quickly came up to the pace of the sport. Unfortunately, the match quickly deteriorated with the two’s struggling to have a serious spell in possession. It was clear that a summer of drinking and inactivity had not had the best effect on the team: by the end of the first half, we were undeservedly 2-0 down, particularly because our goalkeeper had only two hours experience in that position and because of a fumbled and scrappy ball over the line. A...

1Nov

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Sports & Socs

#BearsDay- Disappointment for Women’s 1st Fencing

After narrowly missing promotion to the Premier League last year, the start of the new season saw the Women's 1st Fencing team put our brand new pistes into action. This week's opponents were new to our league; having risen through the ranks of South Eastern 2A, the Kings College London team earned promotion, and it showed. Our first weapon of the match was foil, with ex-Captain and resident foilist, Lyndsay Galpin, new blood, Chloe Hooper, and current Captain Verity Ridgeon, who having switched to Sabre hasn't picked up a foil in 11 years. The KCL girls started strong with a 15-1 lead, but after the third bout we started to warm up. Verity began to pull us back with impeccable footwork and timing, Chloe began finding her feet again after two years out of fencing, and Lyndsay looked lik...

28Oct

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Sports & Socs

#BearsDay- ‘The Bears steam out of the cage’

Royal Holloways’ Men’s 1st Hockey team produced a clean and clinical performance on October 15th, dismantling new boys Chichester 3-0 in a huge first game of the season. Game One: three points. Despite their being no earlier stage found than this one and even though it may not define champions or label relegation battlers, it was a gritty performance that already bore extreme significance. New to the League 4A experience, a lot has been expected of the boys that hold the highest hockey helm at the College. Royal Holloway, since I have been a student certainly, has been acclaimed to higher leagues in the past and the fact that relegation, albeit through default of not recording the end-of-season draw, had become a reality, there remained a lot on the line to ensure that we climb into ...

28Oct

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Sports & Socs

#BearsDay- Shocking! Pre-initiations match to be more than actual initiations!

On the 15th October, the Women's 2nd Lacrosse team played their first BUCS match ever. It was an interesting experience, leaving me unable to disclose the score for reasons of pride... By the time we got to Brighton everyone in the SSHH bus, except for 3 people (including the driver) who were doing karaoke to 'Blue - Da-ba-dee-da-ba-da', was asleep. The other half of our fun crew, who were driving, almost didn't make it at all past the M25 because of their car's bad temper. With transport problems solved, we woke up, proceeded to the changing rooms, were amazed by the fact that they had a swimming pool (so unfair), warmed up, realised that we forgot half the stuff we needed in the changing room, went back, got it, and became more organised. All in all, everyone managed to get shoes on, ...

28Sep

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Sports & Socs

Got Soul? Go Gospel!

Royal Holloway Gospel Choir is an eclectic group of students with one great thing in common: a passion for making feel-good music! We are lucky enough to rehearse in Founders Chapel once a week – an amazing space with incredible acoustics. Not only are the songs we learn popular and fun to sing, but also no musical background is required! As a non-auditioning choir everybody is welcome. We encourage everyone to join, and all abilities and beliefs are welcome. Some of our favourite songs last year included Pharrell’s ‘Happy’, ‘Oh Happy Day’ and ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ by Diana Ross. We can’t wait to start another brilliant and exciting year! The new academic year brings a thirst to improve both musically and socially. Ultimately, we want to spread the love through music. Have you...

28Sep

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Sports & Socs

JOIN BIOSOC

BIOSCIENCE STUDENT? Yes, we’re talking to you! BioSoc this year will be BIGGER and BETTER than ever! We’re looking forward to bringing you MORE socials, MORE events and all that is missing is YOU. We’re inviting you to join the most improved society of 2014 and we guarantee that you will not regret it. As well as bringing crazy fun to our students, we know how to work hard and play hard - the first commandment of living the BioSoc life, we also offer academic support to all years. There will be bio-mentoring sessions and careers events popping up throughout the year and the social highlight for this year is our trip abroad, which you can believe will be AMAZING, so keep an eye out for that! Not only is this a chance to meet other people in the same boat, it is a chance to be part of ...

28Sep

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Sports & Socs

Latin American Society

Bienvenidos a La Society! The Latin American Society invites you to join us at our events and fiestas, transporting you from Egham to the Caribbean. We have planned so much to make this year the most amazing and enjoyable year at RHUL. From our Tequila Fest to the celebration of Carnaval du Brasil, we have exciting events for everyone. For those ready to impress with their hot Latin moves we have Salsa classes. For those interested in perfecting their Spanish, we offer Spanish lessons, ranging from beginner to advance with particular emphasis on the diverse and rich Latin American dialect; introducing them through dynamic and participative classes. Us Latin lovers want to create an idyllic, enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere in which everyone feels welcome. Our socials will often be s...