York 1st vs Sheffield Hallam 1st
October 22nd, 2009 by Reporter_1stSheffield Hallam 35 – 17 York University
Another intense battle was awaiting York 1st XV, this time against Sheffield Hallam away. After a very early start in which York arrived early to Sheffield, the team enjoyed watching some girls hockey for some relaxation in which Ben Innes and Richard Welsh became acquainted with some of the Hallam ladies. After seeing the Hallam girls destroy a very (very) poor York St John side it was into the changing room and out onto the pitch for the warm up.
Knowing that the side they were about to face were relegated from the league above last year York did not know what to expect when battle commenced but with a sense of invincibility about York not loosing a single game in the 2008-2009 season the team was lined up and ready for the challenge.
Early play saw York try to go wide but the drift defence from Hallam was strong and panic set about the team. When a chip went over-the-top of the York defence, and a lucky bounce followed, Hallam took the lead with a try in the corner, the men knew that this was going to be the challenge they had been looking for all last year. With the defence broken twice more in the first half, York were seemingly outplayed by Sheffield going into the break. 21-0.
The halftime talk from Alex Redshaw and comments from the coach, showed a belief in the players, a will to step up and show Hallam why the UYRUFC were in 1a, and the second half did just that.
Gruffudd Jones and Michael James started making breaks in the centres, Rupert and Innes started running their lines and disrupting the Hallam Defence with great support shown be Rory McGregor and Thomas Weir.
Finally continuity was developing into the 1st XV, the phases began to build up and York starting playing the rugby they had in the previous season. The pack were shoving Hallam off every scrum, chewing them at every opportunity, James Stone seemingly coming on and making all the difference but well supported by Rupert Grant and Ben Innes at the front.
With scrum after scrum going our way it was left to Thomas Weir, the scoring representative of the forwards, to seemingly stroll over the line from the 5 metre line to lift York with their first try, with spirits lifted, York saw a chance. Unfortunately another Hallam try followed after some missed tackles in defence one again cost York dearly.
Not letting this put the team down the forwards once again showed strength by dominating the front and this lead to a forwards try, scored by our winger Peter Nathan. Hallam then continued this spell of pressure and scored once more. With the score 35-10 York were not finished. The team were not going to leave Sheffield without making a mark and stepping up like they had done before.
With minutes left Robert Grant looked wide, and with a flurry of offloads and quick ball resulted in Thomas Bugge beating his man and putting Michael James in to score York’s final try.
The defeat was a massive blow to a York team that has grown used to success but the impressive second half performance should fill them with confidence for an exciting the return game at 22 acres on the 09/12/2009. Final score 35-17
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