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
With a single win in five games they sit three points clear at the bottom of the Men’s Northern Conference 2B table. However, games in hand over closest rivals Durham could see them avoid relegation this year, though they still have to play the impressive top two sides before the season is out.
The Men’s 2nds on the other hand, though similarly low in the league table in fifth place, are in a far better position. With Teesside 3rds firmly stuck on nul points, the relegation place seems a given, and with Northumbria 4ths streaking ahead at the top of the table, York are unlikely to move out of the 5B league in either direction.
The 3rds’ 6B league freakishly resembles that of the 2nds, with York again looking safe enough in fifth place. And finally the 4ths will not be changing league this season either, a relatively poor season ruling out all chances of promotion from the lowest regional BUCS league.
Indeed, the Women’s 1sts are the only footballers standing a chance of promotion, sitting six points from the top of the Women’s 3B League but with two games in hand. With their two wins coming at the beginning of the season however, they would have to subvert recent form to pull off promotion, though but with five games left the opportunity is there to be taken.
Moving on to rugby, the Men’s 1sts are surely guaranteed promotion from the 2B league, having annihilated all comers in the league this season. The 1sts have scarcely notched up less than thirty points a game, managing to hit the ton against Huddersfield 1sts, so even with five games left to play, not progressing would be a colossal upset.
While not quite as triumphant as their male counterparts, the Women’s Rugby 1sts are also having a great season. Having got through to the semi-finals on an excellent cup run, they also occupy second place in League 2B with a game in hand. Due to play two of the bottom three teams and one of their top-spot rivals in the final three fixtures of the season, York’s destiny is very much in their own hands.
The same goes for the Men’s Rugby 2nds. Only having played five games this season, compared to the nine and ten of the teams immediately above them, York will have to continue their recent winning ways to take advantage of their rivals’ poor form. The 2nds may yet fight off relegation this season, and with a seven point gap to make up, it will be a Hollywood comeback if they do.
Lastly, the Men’s 3rds have had a chimeric season, losing and winning in equal measure, and are more than likely to rest safely in league 4B come the end of the year.
As to hockey, the Men’s 1sts look nailed on to go down this season, having garnered just one point from six games in a dire 2B season. The 2nds appear to be in slightly better shape, though they are still dicing with relegation in fifth place, as the bottom three teams are very tight in league 5B.
The Women’s 1sts appear relatively safe in fourth place in league 2B, though with nine more points at stake before the season ends they cannot afford to rest on their laurels. The 2nds, however, sit comfortably in second place in league 6B. Though promotion is out of their hands, and relatively unlikely given leaders Leeds’ dominant league form, it remains a possibility should they win their last game.
In Lacrosse, the Men’s 1sts are secure in sixth in league 1B, regardless of the result of their final match, which puts them into the BUCS Trophy in Sheffield on 12th March. The Women’s 1sts have completed their league campaign in a solid second place, and wait their opponents in the semi-finals of the BUCS Cup on the back of an accomplished season.
Last but not least, netball sees the Women’s 1sts vying for promotion at the very end of the league 4B season. With Huddersfield in the lead just three points ahead, but with York having the easier final two fixtures, notably against St John 2nds who have failed to win all season, there is definitely still all to play for. The 2nds and 3rds however, both stand mid-table, with no chance of promotion or relegation in 2009.
The mens football 1st's beat Durham on Saturday meaning we are now only three points from safety with three games in hand.Great reporting from The Yorker!
My apologies, the BUCS website was not sufficiently updated when the article was written.
Mens 1sts Squash should be going up this year. They are also in the semi finals of the cup.
comment deleted by the author PANCAKES!!
love Oliver Lester
xx
The day before this was published BUCS pool had been completed. York 2nds lost in the Trophy final to Ulster 2nds, who also knocked York 3rds out in the semis, who had knocked York 1sts out in the quarter finals.
disappointing to see nothing about tennis as usual.
mens 2nds will likely acheive promotion on wednesday after losing just once in the league all season (when our own courts let us down).
let's get some publicity in papers, especially after such a great season
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