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
University of York 1sts 10 - 0 Northumbria University 1sts
Whilst the world’s best players go head-to-head this week within the plush surroundings of the O2 Arena, conditions could not have been more different for York’s men’s firsts as they took on Northumbria. The match took place amongst strong winds and driving rain, but despite the heavy weather York was able to make light work of their Northern opposition, winning with a convincing 10-0.
The Northumbria team arrived over an hour late, but any worries that the delay might lead to a slow start from the home team were quickly dispelled. David Leff-Hallstein dominated his match from start to finish, demolishing his opponent 6-0, 6-0. With the wind behind him, Leff-Hallstein’s big ground-strokes allowed him to take control of the points early in the rally. This combined with his opponent’s refusal to do anything against him and the wind, other than chip the ball back short off his backhand, provided a weakness that was fully exploited.
Jack Moon, playing at number 2, and Peter Thomson-Glover, playing at number 4, also ran out as comfortable victors, winning 6-1, 6-1 and 6-2, 6-1 respectively. The tough conditions prevented Moon from reaching the high level he’s capable of at his best, but his opponent asked very few questions and any problems that he did pose were generally met with a resounding answer from the York man’s powerful game. Thomson-Glover’s ability to remain in a rally and force an error proved invaluable throughout his match as his baseline game worked to perfection, securing him his second singles win in as many matches.
The three singles victories quickly became four, as Ben Dyer came through his encounter 7-5, 6-2. Playing on the court most exposed to the adverse weather, Dyer struggled early on. He slipped to 2-5 down, as his long, languid swing was hampered by the swirling wind, but as conditions improved, so did his game. He was able to roll off five games in a row, to take the first set 7-5, before easing through the second set by the much more comfortable margin of 6-2.
Having taken all the singles York had secured the victory, and, resigned to defeat, the Northumbrian team put in a somewhat comic display in the doubles. The York pairs hardly had to break sweat as both recorded 8-2 triumphs, to round off a good afternoon. With back-to-back matches against a winless Leeds 2nds coming up over the next fortnight, York have an opportunity to move themselves right into the midst of the promotion struggle at the top of the table.
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