Quote: Little Ivor "Pretty decent, probably next step down from that. Unfortunately in recentyears Cambridge have struggled somewhat'"
There's a big difference in quality for that step down imo. Oxford University aren't the better side in Oxford anymore, Brookes have been the better team recently from what I've seen.
Quote: Little Ivor "How are the university’s in the Challenge Cup selected?
Loughborough and Hull University in round one.'"
I've got no idea. From the few articles i've seen on it I think it's random, or the best of the rest.
Northumbia have the same coach and share some players with Newcastle Thunder so that may rule them out. However, bringing in 2nd team players wouldn't be a huge drop as they're a good team too.
I don't know enough about Leeds Met to know what would rule them out, but they're Northern Premier winners for 2017 so are probably the best team for this season.
Loughborough have won the Southern Premier so deserve their place on the basis of being the best side in the South.