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
WRITTEN BY SARAH MCLOUGHLIN
York Women’s Rugby dominated Hull in their first league game of the season. Strong forward play and impressive speed by the backs combined to put a succession of tries on the board and gave the team a promising start to the season.
York were keen to get on the field, after their game against Bradford last week was cancelled as a result of the opposition’s inability to field a team. Hull, despite being two players short of a full fifteen, sportingly agreed to play with thirteen. Their decision to field a full pack and spread their remaining players over the back line set the stage for a punishing, forward-heavy match.
As play began, York sought for a way to exploit their numerical advantage and break through Hull’s defence. It didn’t take long before outside centre Emma Cooper delivered with a sprint up the left side of the pitch, dodging several Hull defenders to score her first try of the match.
After this promising start, York struggled to increase their lead. Eventually, a powerful drive by prop Kirsty Wheeler opened up some space on the field, allowing Captain Chrissie Leahy to put the ball over the line for York. Despite the score, York could not afford to become complacent. York dominated at the line-out thanks to their enthusiasm for the ball which flustered a slightly less vocal Hull side. However, Hull’s scrums were consistently strong. In the closing minutes of the first half Hull scored a try of their own, after several rucks close to the try line provided the opening they needed.
York’s lead was beginning to look more uncertain, and Leahy and vice-captain Emma Hodgson used the half-time break to urge their team to keep cool heads and work together to keep the pressure on Hull. The game switched to uncontested scrums after injury to one of Hull’s props, shifting the emphasis at the scrum from strong drives to quick breaks.
York came back onto the pitch fighting, pushing hard at Hull’s defensive line, and it paid off with a succession of tries by Lizzie Prance, Kate Fullilove and several more by Emma Cooper that steadily put the game out of Hull’s reach.
Prance had been at the centre of nearly every breakdown, keeping Hull off-balance with consistently assertive play. As well as scoring a try of her own, she set up Cooper’s last try with a succession of clever side-steps, before sprinting for the line, unselfishly passing to Cooper at the last minute. The back of the match for York was Aimee Miller, whose quick reactions and skilled tackling repeatedly put an end to Hull’s attacks on the try line.
It's a fantastic start to the season... bring on the rest of the league matches!
Despite York’s rapidly increasing lead in the closing stages of the second half, Hull did not give up. They kept attacking, searching for a gap in York’s line, and trying to push York back into their own half. However, a leg injury to another of their props in the closing minutes forced them to call a halt to play.
Leahy finished the match optimistic about her team’s prospects for the season: "I'm so impressed with every single member of the team this week; we thoroughly deserved the win. It's a fantastic start to the season, and if we continue to improve and tighten up our game then there's no reason why we can't go on to further successes. Bring on the rest of the league matches!"
When the final whistle blew, York were clearly the dominant team, combining strong individual play with determination and teamwork. These will all serve them well in their encounter with local rivals York St John this Wednesday. In last year’s Varsity game, York won convincingly 42-5, but despite the score, St John were worthy opponents. York would do well not to underestimate them in what promises to be a hard-fought match.
Team: 1 Chelsey Sprong, 2 Vic Cusick, 3 Kirsty Wheeler, 4 Elisha Wagstaff, 5 Lizzie Prance, 6 Louise Blockwell, 7 Sarah McLoughlin, 8 Kate Lewington, 9 Emma Hodgson, 10 Chrissie Leahy, 11 Sabrina Ammi, 12 Aimee Miller, 13 Emma Cooper, 14 Kate Fullilove, 15 Clare Beer. Subs: Val Milton, Kerry McQuigg.
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