The University of York Rugby Union Football Club

A crisp spring morning after a very successful season for York 1st XV, and the players warmed up for the arrival of premier B team Birmingham 1st XV who were also on the back of a good season finishing third. After a long hard season York were keen to progress as far as possible in the BUCS trophy, hopefully at the expense of their Birmingham rivals.

The team were fired up and for many of the 1st XV this could be the last game of their York careers on home turf so all were ready to go in hopes of an upset. As the game began hits came in from both sides, Birmingham dominated early play and broke through a couple of tackles early, however York defence was strong and Birmingham were put back in their half unrewarded for their efforts.

York more than matched Birmingham in the scrums and were even breaking through their back line with breaks from Michael James and Tom Bugge however ill-discipline was costing York badly, and with a line-out on their five metre line York were under pressure. It was only a last ditch tackle by Mike Callis that saved York from conceding early points. Despite York’s resilience Birmingham did profit from another York penalty only getting three points on this occasion.

York fought back hard and with the forwards working tirelessly in defense it seemed like York were open to more scores, however some more exquisite scrambling defence from backs and forwards York felt like they could match this Birmingham side and started to put some phases together. Unfortunately, York’s defence and attack came at a price a double hit on the Birmingham centre from Rob Grant and Will Felgate saw Grant leave the field blooded and sore. (currently recovering after several nights in hospital, minor surgery on the two breaks in his jaw, metal plates and screws in place, still looks great though) and then injury prone Mike Callis once again charging through the centre with his head, having to be substituted after another lack of consciousness on the pitch.

Despite the blow of losing two key players changes were made to the York side. Play resumed with Tim Walker slotting three points and drawing things level, York had a new spring in their step.

The start of the second half saw the barrage of hits and crashes continuing from both sides. Some solid work from the York scrum was starting to really turn the screws on their opposition however line-out ball was scarce it appeared the two titans were locked in epic battle one an unmovable object and the other an unstoppable force either side willing to do anything for that half a yard that could change the game in their favour.

With great work from the York back-line an opening appeared Ryan Johnson on as a substitute beat his man on the outside down the right wing and he had support, Michael James on his inside moving up past the half way, drawing two defenders, a secure offload and York were through Felgate came steaming up the inside only for a Birmingham full back to get the slightest of touch leaving the ball agonisingly short of his grasp, this was a chance gone begging for York.

Birmingham fought back and were making ground the legs of the York defence were growing weary after making tackle after tackle, and it was at this time when the one crack in the York  defence appeared, a quick passage of play saw Birminghma move the ball from left to right and then back quickly, with the York defence not being able to scramble back across in time a soft try was conceeded, York heads dropped with only a short amount of time left to play had they thrown it all away, however with the conversion missed their was still hope for York another memorable comeback was on the cards.

York pushed and pushed and from the kick off found themselves deep in Birmingham territory and huge scrum five metres out, and it was here where so many times this season York would drive over. The surge came the ground churned before them the line came closer and closer still Tom Weir had the line in his sight….that is until the opposition seven decides that the ball is now in-play and smothers the ball. The referee is no where to be seen and Birmingham sigh with relief as they play the ball away.

A missed penalty was the closest York came to rescuing their trophy dreams after this, Birmingham leave surely content to have beaten a strong York side. final score 8-3. A mention of congratulations and admiration must go to all our departing third and fourth years who have given years of dedication to the club as this will be their last home game of their UYRUFC careers they have taken York to new heights of rugby and we all give a thanks for that, and best wishes in their future careers.

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