Saturday 02-05-2026 - 21:01

Lancaster’s superb sporting students have done it again - they have retained the Roses trophy for a record-breaking fifth time on the 60th anniversary of the competition.

 

The stunning victory was achieved on Saturday night when Lancaster passed the 181.5 point target by winning the Men’s Basketball 67-52.

 

York chased them hard all the way, but after Lancaster established an early lead in the first rowing events, York never managed to level the scores and were trailing Lancaster throughout.

 

That’s not to say there were not some tough battles over the weekend - in the opening event, the Men’s Futsal final, the York team gave it their all and twice levelled the score - but Lancaster were always able to answer and stretch their lead.

 

The rest of the Roses weekend went the same way - with the months of hard training and preparation by Lancaster’s teams and individuals consistently adding to the points lead and pouring the pressure on York, who must have been desperate to end Lancaster’s winning streak.

 

In the end an away win was just too much for York, and they go home empty-handed, looking to next year and a home fixture as their chance to stop Lancaster’s winning ways.

 

Activities officer, Emily Houston-Woods, who along with the Roses Committee organised the weekend’s sporting extravaganza, said: “This is absolutely amazing to win a record fifth Roses on the 60th anniversary is simply historic. The whole weekend has been superb - the teams, the individuals, and the fantastic crowds who cheered us all on.

“I am so proud of what we’ve achieved, and it has been a massive team effort - on the pitches, courts, and pool and behind the scenes where a huge effort has gone into this success.

“I’d like to thank York for being worthy competitors, but sadly for them, happily for us, for yet another year…Roses are Red!”

 

Lancaster Vice-Chancellor Steve Decent said: ”I am so proud of our brilliant students. They have been fantastic throughout the competition! To win on a Saturday is outstanding! The Students' Union have been brilliant! Roses are Red!"

 

Richard Soper, Vice Chair of LUSU’s Trustee Board, said: “LUSU is absolutely thrilled with this result – the fifth Lancaster Roses victory in a row! It’s been a really memorable occasion involving not just the competitors in over 140 events, but thousands of supporters. The amazing sporting facilities here at the University have certainly been used to the full, and I want to thank everyone from the Students ’Union and the University who have worked so hard to set the scene for this success.”

 

Misbah Ashraf, LUSU CEO, said: “I echo Emily and Richard’s words about our superb teams and individual athletes who proved, once again that Roses are Red! I want to say a heartfelt thanks to the many, many students and staff who work behind the scenes all year to support our societies, teams and sportspeople and to organise the huge festival of sport that Roses has become.

“I want to thank the student media too, for their tireless work over the weekend reporting on a huge array of events in such a professional way and adding hugely to the excitement of the event.

“The support of the University and Vice-Chancellor Steve Decent is vital to our success on and off the field, and is much appreciated

“At LUSU we are so proud of the teamwork and the community that makes Roses a reality. The atmosphere has been wonderful, the crowds of supporters have been loud and proud and, of course, a record-breaking win is what makes all that hard work worth it.”