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James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
University of Teesside 1sts 65 - 0 University of York 1sts
York Women’s Rugby had an extremely difficult first match, complete with injuries, bad weather and a very experienced opposition. York lined up for the kick off missing several key players, which meant reshuffling forwards and backs into new, more challenging positions. Nevertheless, York moved up with confidence to make those first important tackles.
Teesside didn’t waste any time in using their speedy England international winger to score the first converted try of the match. York suffered another blow early on in the first half when fullback Kate Fullilove went down with a nasty gash above her right eye and had to be taken to hospital. This forced York to shuffle their pack even more, which Teesside exploited with two more tries down the right wing.
York fought hard to keep the ball out of their half when it was in Teesside’s hands. Managing to successfully push them back in the rucks and mauls alike, giving the backs a chance to make those all important meters. However, the sheer size of Teesside’s forwards and backs stopped York in their tracks and allowed their powerful inside centre to smash over the line once again and their talented kicker to add the extras. This would prove a problem for York, as Teesside’s experienced fast hands got the ball to their formidable back numerous times for her to power across the whitewash.
At half-time, the heavy rain was still coming down and York determined to step up their game despite the numerous setbacks. Bigger kicks from Hodgson gave York time to move up their defensive line and put pressure on the opposition. York’s new front row was powerful and wore down Teesside’s forwards.
York were now defending more successfully, driving Teesside back into their half. York’s lineouts were also very successful, piling on the pressure which eventually told when Teesside gave away two penalties for illegal tackles. But the wet weather would prove a major problem as it forced handing errors so close to the York try line, giving Teesside the advantage.
The game was a very steep learning curve and we will only improve from here.
York’s valiant efforts were apparent throughout the entire of the match, and the scoreline did not reflect how tough the match was for both sides. Captain Emma Hodgson commented: “It was a very tough start to the season against very good opposition. We started the game missing 7 players, then had to reshuffle the team after losing Kate early on and never had a chance to settle. The game was a very steep learning curve and we will only improve from here after the unquestionable effort from the whole team.”
Teamsheet: 1. Ellen Larson, 2. Raine Astin-Charberlain, 3. Sarah McLoughlin, 4.Fiona Parr 5. Jess Sharpe , 6. Louise Blockwell, 7. Nikki Parker, 8. Kirsty Wheeler, 9. Amy Davies, 10. Emma Hodgson (c), 11. Emma Nugent, 12. Amee Miller, 13. Sabrina Ammi, 14. Amee Wilson, 15. Kate Fullilove. Subs: Valerie Milton
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