The University of York Rugby Union Football Club

It was a chilly Saturday, January morning, and little was stirring apart from the beating heart of the UYRUFC machine preparing themselves for another epic battle on the slightly crunchier/icier ground of 22 acres, also known as fortress 22.

It had been several months since the last clash between York and Liverpool but on this battlefield it would be decided whose season had progressed more and who wanted to threaten Sheffield Hallam at the top of 1a. After a jittery warm up York were pleased to see their hallowed turf have an impact on the game already injuring the opposition fly half before proceedings commenced.

However, in the bitter conditions and playing into a breeze York were put under pressure early on with Liverpool playing the territorial game pushing York back deep into their own half, assisted by Ali Handy still miles away from being in his usual psychotic state allowing the starting kick to bounce nicely into touch. Not to be restricted on home turf York came to life with breaks from Tom Bugge and Will Felgate early on and were able to bring pressure back on the Liverpool line.

For the first time in months the forwards were being matched in the scrums and the pressure was beginning to show however the backs were confident with holes appearing in the Liverpool defense. Despite putting pressure on the Liverpool line the ball is lost and York are once again put on the back foot. The opposition 8 picks and go’s and despite having two back row on his back makes ground. And after a flurry of penalties York find themselves being pressured on their own line more rare indiscipline from York sees Liverpool take the lead with an early penalty. 3-0

However, good backs play sees York break back Pete Spanker makes good ground and is well supported by Griff Jones and Michael James. The pack start to turn the screws on the Liverpool pack, despite missing the one and only James Stone York manage to get a penalty with great work from Tom Weir. Rob Grant slots the conversion calmly and at half time it is all square on 3-3.

York are fired up after a direct and straightforward team talk from captain Alex Redshaw and with the conviction and drive York have shown all season charge the Liverpool line. York crash MJ up the center and work the forwards off the ruck Mike Callis storms through a gap and looks to offload, the forwards follow him in and work a tight pick and go only to see massive holes left by the devastation, MJ collects and runs through for a well worked seemingly simple York try. Grant knocks over conversion and it seems like York had found their mojo.

York however bring pressure back on themselves, some silly penalties mixed in with some interesting refereeing decisions see york pinned back in their 22 once more Liverpool try and put some phases together but great defence from MJ and FT see the visitors being pushed back in ever contact area. Despite York looking the more dominant Liverpool get a good lineout drive and work the ball wide York are under pressure and despite some tight defense in the middle a driven maul leads to an easy score for Liverpool 10-10.

Calling upon all the drive and determination it took to walk up Snowdon in their pre-season tour York marched back and after a great restart from Grant York were back on top and pressuring the Liverpool defense, the back worked it wode and set up good ball fro the forwards to work with and once again after a Mike Callis break York had space wide. After some slick hands from Jones and Spanker a rare site of Rory McGregor on the wing was followed by an even rarer sight of him swan diving over the line. York had come back tremendously 15-10.

And despite a late attempt to stamp FT out of the game York held on to seal victory once more the invisibles of 2008/9 are making a charge on premier B watch this space!

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