By Will Burton

Bournemouth University's Ultimate Frisbee team defied the odds last weekend to qualify for the Open Outdoor BUCS National Championships in Manchester.

BU beat Swansea University 11-4 in the Nationals playoff to leap from tenth seed to finish in sixth position overall in the region.

“I’m really proud of the team, they worked really hard and did incredibly well” said team captain Mark Shepherd.

“The spirit for the whole tournament was great in what were horrible conditions at times. It was so nice for the team to get the victory because we were playing so well and they all really deserved it.”

The team, which contained no less than four rookies, played eight matches across the two days, beating university teams from Plymouth, Bristol, Bath and Winchester on their way to the final.

First year Psychology student Henry Pym had been playing less than six months prior to the tournament. “I’m chuffed and really proud to have qualified for nationals” he said.

“To be in my first year and have been able to do this is great – I’m over the moon.”

It will be the third time the club will appear at a BUCS National tournament in four years.

Shepherd said, “We narrowly missed out on Nationals qualification in the last two years but I knew this time all I could do is prepare the team as well as possible.

"It’s a great relief to qualify and a fantastic reward for all the hard work the team has put in.”

Rookie Pym is excited about the challenge of competing at National level in his first year playing the sport, “It will be a big step up and I think it will be a great experience for my future playing career. I’m really looking forward to it.”