Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Despite a long, and in some cases indulgent, Christmas break, York’s women’s rugby 1sts took an impressive lead against strong league competitors, York St John.
With heightened anticipation after the game’s first postponement, the University of York team took a difficult 31-5 win over their fellow York dwellers, to overtake them in the BUSA league tables and edge one step closer to the top of the ranks.
From the outset, St John posed a formidable threat. With fast, well-planned plays from the backs, the York defence was kept firmly on its toes. However, with hard tackles and fast rucking support from the forwards, the first points on the board belonged to York. Inside centre, Ruth Laybourn used her immense speed to leave the opposition eating her dust, as she dodged numerous defenders before sprinting to the try line, then converting for an 8-point lead.
The next section of play saw some of the best attacking formations of York’s season, which pushed a strong St John defence firmly and steadily towards their own try line. After an unfortunate knock-on by the York team, both packs scrummed down for a St John ball metres away from their try line and York came dangerously close to losing possession. A huge push from York’s forwards turned over the ball and sent it quickly out to the backs. York maintained possession despite a series of successful defensive tackles and the ball continued to move out towards the right wing, where outside centre Emma Cooper was waiting to skid across the line and make the try official.
However, soon after, the St John attack saw a comeback with an impressive use of kicking, forming a number of line-outs in York’s own 22. After a 10 minute stalemate, the St John backs quickly got the ball out blind side after a scrum, and despite successful tackles the ball continued to move through St John hands, until a mass of bodies fell over the try line. As the mass of defenders and attackers were peeled off, it was a St John hand on the ball and the try was scored.
Fearful for their lead, the York team battled on with new determination, yet again found themselves pushed back into their own half. However, with a strong scrum, and with scrum half Emma “Dennis” Hodgeson hatching plans, the York team was seconds away from their next try. Following an impressive kick from Laybourn, the York backs paced the length of the pitch and passed the ball out wide to fast-paced Emma Cooper. Cooper, refusing to settle for a try anywhere but under the posts, ran half the length of the pitch, then half the width with a speedy steadily gaining defender in tow. Nevertheless, the try was scored and converted.
To end the first half, York’s inside centre made another impressive launch for the try-line, in true Laybourn style dodging a weaving around the defence before a long sprint to the finish line.
The second half saw much fewer points on the board but no less drama, as the teams were both pushed forwards and backwards, in a wearing deadlock(thankfully the York team knew better than to let their guard down to a St John team notorious for their comebacks).
After a long tennis match of twos and fros, one of the York forwards decided to try on the backs shoes for size as number 4 Kirsty Wheeler launched herself into full thrust towards the try line, leaving the St John defence to chase in vain. Placing the ball directly under the posts, Wheeler primed the try for another Laybourn conversion.
To end the game, Wheeler, unsatisfied with merely one sprint, decided to make one last bid for the try line, and with impressive pace raced from the speedy St John defence hot on her tail. Unfortunately, an impressive flying tackle from St John cut the run short and ended the game, which left each team, fittingly, fighting to the last second.
St John and York left with, what is hopefully, a renewed mutual respect and yet a taste for more. All round an impressively well-matched game, the likes of which will not be seen again until…well… Varsity!
The Rematch
This Wednesday will see Sunderland Uni women’s rugby club return to York for the game of their lives after their shameful display of cheating and tantrums last term. For those of you who did not read the match report (which was taken down from The Yorker because it upset Sunderland University too much), Sunderland enraged York by turning up half an hour late last term with only 14 players and 13 pairs of boots, playing as dirty as they possibly could and then refusing to play 10 minutes into the second half when one of their players got injured.
York have been training hard in preparation for this rematch, and tensions are running high. This is set to be the match of the season for the women’s rugby team so please come down and support the university this Wednesday, 2pm KO, at 22 acres!
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