by Fraser Posford
On 10th-11th May 2025, this season’s edition of the British Quadball Cup was hosted at Keele University’s Sports Centre. As the location of the first ever competitive quadball match played in the UK back in 2011, there couldn’t be a better venue for the 10th edition of the national championship to take place.
In the Community division, six teams competed for glory across two days of intense action in the mid-May sunshine. The major storyline going into the weekend was the race for a 3rd BQC title. Velociraptors QC, London QC and reigning champions Werewolves of London Firsts had all previously won two BQC titles each, but who would get the elusive third? Or would a new challenger add their name to the honours list?
Day 1 saw the teams split into two groups of 3, with the winner of each group earning a spot in the semi-finals on day 2. London QC topped the group 1 standings in comfortable fashion, with a 150*-30 win over Oxford Mammoths and then a 220*-60 scoreline over Werewolves of London Seconds. The game for second place in the group between Mammoths and Werewolves Seconds was a much tighter affair. These two teams have enjoyed some close encounters together in recent years and this one was no different. Mammoths Scott Suri and Werewolves Seth Bonnodo traded world class tackles, as Abby Whitwell and Sam Claxton pushed the Werewolves defensive talents of Niamh O’Grady and Callum Humphreys resulting in a game finely poised as the seekers entered play. Oxford emerged triumphant on this occasion with an El Southwell flag catch securing the win.
In group 2, Werewolves of London Firsts’ title defence got off to a rocky start with a match against fierce rivals- Velociraptors QC. Led by veteran playmaker Andrew Hull and beater Bill Orridge, the East Midlands-based team came out of the blocks firing, taking an early four-goal lead that kicked the Werewolves into action. Canada’s Chris Radojewski and England’s Tash Ferenczy and Sam Mills helped the Wolves claw their way back into the match before the depth of the London team proved to be too much for the Raptors in the end, 150*-70 the final score.
The third team in the group, Olympians QC, fought hard but fell short by 150-60* to Raptors. Despite strong performances from beaters Milo To and Captain Gemma Woolliscroft, plus the defensive shifts of Josh Armitage and Jessica Shipley, Olympians couldn’t quite get their offence firing to bring them within that catch-to-win range, falling 120*-40 to Werewolves Firsts.
With Werewolves of London Firsts and London QC safely through to the semi-finals, day 2 kicked off with two play-in matches to see who would join them. Werewolves of London Seconds forced Velociraptors to go the distance in a marathon match. Standout performances from chasers Matteo Barraclough and Frankie Hamilton, as well as Cornelia Tzana in the black headband plus seeker Dan Golding making the catch gave Seconds a fighting chance as the game went to overtime. However, the experience and skill of the likes of Ben Morton and Mel Piper, two players who played in that first ever match 14 years ago, gave Velociraptors the edge to advance, 150-110*.
The other play-in match saw a battle-ready Olympians team produce a controlled display to see off Oxford Mammoths, winning 120*-50 and booking a spot in the semis. Keeper Anna O’Gara was a calm play-making presence in the volleyball game while the assertive beating of Liam Dyer and Liz William-Powlett allowed coach and Canada international Zac Macdonald to showcase his utility capabilities. Despite the best efforts of standout Mammoths beaters Becca Jeffs and Captain Thomas Andreou - The Olympians seeker Achraf Saiklaroussi sealed the deal with a lightning fast flag catch.
The semi-finals were defined by two statement performances from the capital sides as both London QC and Werewolves of London Firsts made certain of their passage to the BQC final. A fast start from LQC chasers Khushi Sampat, Jo Creighton and Elliot Fisher, complemented by beater dominance from Mikey Orridge and Marianna Parroquin ensured the Londoners never flirted with defeat, running out 170*-20 winners. Meanwhile, the Werewolves fronted up to win 170*-30 against Olympians QC, improving on the previous day’s group stage performance against the Manchester and Leeds-based team. New to the Werewolves Firsts, Scotland’s Natasha Meek shone against the northerners with strong shooting and off-ball chasing displays.
Elsewhere, Oxford Mammoths finished the tournament by beating Werewolves of London Seconds to 5th place in yet another closely fought match, with the Mammoths and Werewolves practically going goal for goal, tackle for tackle. Although Werewolves led by a goal on the scoreboard, it was the Mammoths who claimed the vital flag catch that separated the two sides on this occasion. In the 3rd place match, Velociraptors QC retained the bronze medal they won last year, weathering an early Olympians QC storm to earn a spot on the podium. The return of Kat Jack, as well as James Thanangadan and Emily Withers anchoring the chaser game, proved influential to Raptors securing a deserved victory.
The stage was set for another all-London final- 2019 and 2023 winners London QC vs 2022 and 2024 winners Werewolves of London. A place in history awaiting the winner. The opening passages of the match were tight and cagey, with both teams creating opportunities to score only to make an error or be denied by some clutch defending, including the bone-crunching tackle of Petya Choeva effortlessly grounding Matt Houghton. It wasn’t until the 7th minute when Emmanuele Alessandri’s drive and shot broke the deadlock for the Werewolves that nerves began to settle and both teams were able to come out of their shells. LQC found their groove midway through the game with a 3-0 scoring run, but decisive goals from both Luke and Alice Twist kept the game within reach, ensuring the BQC final would be decided on the flag catch. As seekers Jonathan Purvis and Ed Brett entered play, LQC locked down dodgeball control to give Purvis a chance at glory, but the Werewolves’ beater pair of Anjit Aulakh and Sam Mills limited him to just a few opportunities. After having one catch called off, Brett was able to dust himself down and go again, sneaking up on the flag runner following an attempt from Purvis to snatch away victory for the Werewolves.
An 80*-60 scoreline confirmed Werewolves of London Firsts as champions for the 2024/2025 season, their 3rd title overall, matching Oxford University who claimed their 3rd title in the University division final beforehand. We now look forward to this summer’s IQA World 2025 in Belgium, in which many of our community members will be participating, before a new season begins in September. Thanks for all your efforts over the past 12 months, and we will see you again in the 2025/2026 season!
