The IMG End of Season Review · Issue 873, by Pete Dean

THE IMG competitions have encountered logistical problems this year but there has still been exciting football and netball leagues and eventually even some competitive IMG rugby matches.

IMG footballers returned to Cardiff with the news that the format was to be revitalized. The competition was to be extended to include 8 new teams and space was made for an extra division. However, a combination of issues – including the increased cost to register a team and the absence of an IMG fair – caused the take-up to be reduced.

The election of Andy Buttons-Stephens to the IMG chair has allowed the competition to run much more smoothly. With the position as yet unfilled for the 2008-9 season, IMG footballers will be counting on good communication between the new AU chair and the captains when the competition restarts in September.

30 teams made up the IMG football roster for one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory. Established teams such as GymGym, AFC History and MOMED regained their Premiership status in the first phase of the campaign. The surprise packages were J-Unit, in their second season, and Mini St Elite, who confounded expectations to clinch a Premiership place from Division B.

J-Unit continued their fine form into the Premiership, losing only one match on the way to championship glory. Only Engin Locomotive could take points off the rapidly improving outfit, led by the striking prowess of James Pressley. Noone can complain that J-Unit’s Premiership title was undeserved.

Both SOCSI and Butthead FC were unlucky to miss out on the Premiership, losing out on goal difference. As expected, the two teams fought a close battle for the Division One title. SOCSI were more consistent over the campaign, dropping only two points to gain Division One glory.

In Division Two, a new Earth Soc team led by the indomitable Sean Discombe gained the title. Havanna Dragons also finished the season well, gaining second place. Optometry Soccer are one of the most improved sides of this season and will be the team to look out for next year.

The most impressive team of the 2007/8 campaign has been Economics A netball who have gone unbeaten for the entire season. They are a well-established IMG team and have used their experience in conjunction with a supreme team ethic. They have set the benchmark for future netball teams to aspire to.

Also impressive were Law A who beat Cardiff A narrowly into second place in the Premiership. Division One winners were Engin Locomotive who edged out English A on goal difference. English A will count themselves unlucky not to clinch the trophy as they beat Locomotive on the last game of the season. They will rue their defeat to SOCSI B earlier in the campaign.

MEDICS B won Division Two in fine style, winning seven of their nine games. J-Unit emerged as one of the most impressive new teams, securing second position in a competitive league.

IMG Rugby was cancelled at the start of the year but the captains have worked tirelessly to ensure that some matches took place. In a fascinating end of season finale, Carbs and Engin battled their way to the final. The final was a highly competitive affair that was won by a well-organised Engin team.

IMG rugby players will hope for a more extensive competition next year. This is reliant on the availability of qualified referees.