Impressive year for university sees them climb standings

Queen Mary University of London have cemented their place in the top 60 of the British Universities Championships standings after moving up six spots to 58th after earning 10 promotions this season.

The men’s fencers returned to South Eastern One at the first attempt after going unbeaten in South Eastern 2A, while the women’s football teams also won all of their matches on their way to winning South Eastern 2B for a second straight promotion.

Queen Mary’s women’s volleyball team were another side to take maximum points as they clinched the South Eastern 2B title, while the men’s hockey firsts will play in South Eastern Two next year after winning South Eastern 3B.

The men’s rugby seconds were promoted to South Eastern Two, where they could meet the firsts after they were relegated from South Eastern 1A, while the men’s table tennis team had a 100 per cent record to clinch the South Eastern 3A crown.

Queen Mary’s women’s tennis seconds lost just the once as they ended the season as South Eastern 3B winners, while the men’s rugby thirds took the honours in South Eastern 6B.

The men’s football fifths finished second in South Eastern 8A to secure promotion as the netball fifths romped to the title in South Eastern 9B.

Queen Mary’s success in the BUCs leagues follows an impressive medal haul at the BUCs Championships earlier this year, where the fencers took gold while the women’s volleyball and men’s squash firsts earned silver.

• The university are also launching a new programme encouraging local residents to get fit every Thursday at the Mile End Stadium.

‘Walk to Run’ will allow those taking part to train at their own pace, gradually building their fitness levels under the guidance of two qualified coaches provided by Queen Mary.

The sessions are free to people aged between 19 and 25, otherwise costing £3.25 taking place every Thursday from 6pm until 6.45pm.