The University of York Rugby Union Football Club

University of Northumbria 10 – 35 University of York

November 4th saw the first XV continue their 1a season away at Northumbria against their 2nd XV. After a long bus journey shared with the second team the atmosphere was tense and the mood was sombre unaware what they were going to face. After stepping out onto the crisp field of play, the team was roused and ready to do war with physical looking team, and in the early skirmishes York came out on top.

With great defence in the centres including huge hits from Michael James and Gruffudd Jones, and great pressure from the forwards in every contact situation, it was not long before the penalties began to build up in York’s favour. With one attempt missed by Robert Grant he stepped up to put York in the lead with a successful conversion, with a lead taken against them, and the penalty count still rising it was only a matter of time before Northumbria would pay and they did in the form of a sin binning. With the extra man on their side York took the initiative and scored through some more great work from the forwards resulted in Ben Innes crossing the line. After a well taken conversion from Grant York stretched out to a 10-0 lead.

After this York continued to disrupt both lineout and scrum for the opposition another great performance from the forward was lead by Rupert Grant, James Stone and Ben Innes gave the backs the platform they needed to press on. However with the slippery conditions the backs found it hard in the first half to take advantage of the possession and despite good lines from Gruffudd Jones and Thomas Bugge the home side managed to bring them slightly back into the game with a penalty.

The second half started in a similar manner to the first, York continued to dominate both the contact are and the scrum despite the fact that flanker Rory McGregor had to be subbed off due to a culinary injury from the night before. The mood changed in the York camp however, when a spell of pressure led to a try form Northumbria, despite reliant defence throughout the rest of the game a lack of guards around the fringes on a ruck on their five metre line led to the ball ‘apparently’ being placed over the York line.

With the core now at 10-7 York needed to respond and they did, with the ball going wide and Gruffudd Jones and Thomas Bugge breaking through, the ball was set up on the 22 metre line. Seeing the fullback out of position Tim “Sparkleton” Walker placed a delicate chip over the top which was well gathered by William Felgate who then stepped the covering defender and scored. With the initiative back in York’s favour, York continued to press on and despite some indiscipline of their own in which Northumbria were allowed to have a penalty attempt, which was duly put away by their somewhat familiar looking fly half, York were in the ascendency and continued to break the Northumbria defence.

With Ryan Johnson making an impact straight away beating his man on the outside, another try was almost scored when he seemed to put Jones in, however when the covering tackle was made it was up to the forwards to once again do the hard work and put the ball over the line, this time Rupert making the vital last touch, with Grant also making the kick York led 22-10, with two more penalties put away by Grant the score went to 28-10.

With a final push on the Northumbria line York were still not intent on resting on their laurels made another barrage, and after more great work from Alistair “Darkan” Handy and Alexander Redshaw at the breakdown York crossed the line once more, to complete the rout 35-10. And as the sun set on another incredible York performance they were content and looking forward to an enjoyable bus ride home. Score 35 – 10 York Win.

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