Grey. Dreary. Dismal. Just a small example of a plethora of adjectives available to anyone with a reasonable grasp of the English language to describe today’s opposition and their less than inspiring town. York have already visited the capital of British steel-making once and came away with less than their deserved share of points, and so today, in the rain, York returned to re-establish the natural order of things. As stated, the heavens didn’t provide much motivation for either team, who would have to slip, slide and slither their way through what was to become somewhat of a milestone-match for York, and a bit of a bugger for Sheffield.

Confidence was brewing way before the first whistle blow at 2.00 p.m today with a tremendously successful warm up. The adverse weather conditions and narrow pitch could do nothing to dissuade York that running rugby was still possible, and this was reflected in slick handling and scarcely a dropped ball. By the time the referee had taken his position mid-field, the boys in the bumblebee kit knew they were in for a big one, and they were ready for it. For a brief moment, the clouds parted and sunshine bathed the battlefield in a glorious autumnal glow, and one couldn’t help but feel that Bugge had asked the big man upstairs for a bit of moral support…just to get the boys going.

The first five minutes was a tentative affair with both sides showing signs of nervousness, exacerbated perhaps by the knowledge that it was going to get very muddy out there, very quickly. However, York showed early signs of the excellent midfield defence that stood them in very good stead all day with M.J and Felgate working seamlessly to ensure the Sheffield centres were going nowhere fast. Sheffield seemed well drilled, but excellent work by the back row, (who were fantastic all day), asserted an early dominance around the tackle area that was to prove decisive in today’s victory. Five minutes in and a Sheffield scrum concedes to the prowess of the York front three; quick turnover and some snappy handling saw the ball drift effortlessly along the backline into the hands of Rich Bremner, who had no trouble at all finding the white line. Grant, eyeing up some Sheffield totty on the sideline, missed the conversion.

Somewhat shocked, Sheffield responded to York’s score with some decent patterns of play, but it was short-lived thanks again to the kleptomaniacal tendencies of Messrs Handy, McGregor and Weir. A spate of penalties in York’s favour ended up as a scrum on the opposition 5. A pre-planned shove by the forwards was cruelly interrupted by the devious Tim Sparkleton who burgled the ball from the back row’s feet and dove over the line. Grant secured the conversion and York were back on track in Sheffield.

The second half started promisingly with York kicking well for position. Clever work in the lineout by Redshaw and Forsythe secured good ball in prime attacking territory. Such was the threat that Sheffield conceded a penalty within striking distance of Grant’s boot, and he duly proceeded to put York a further 3 points ahead. However, with York now a full three scores ahead, motivation to really turn the screw on the opposition in increasingly difficult conditions put York on the back foot. Although work-rate was fantastic, and the front three, led by the ever enigmatic Innes began to physically and psychologically cause problems for the opposition scrum, the last 25 was spent somewhat possession-less. York’s kicking at times was aimless, and although the defence ensured no Sheffield players broke through, they had the drive to close out the game and ultimately had the momentum in the last ten minutes. Sheffield scored two tries that, although weren’t gifted, certainly felt that way with the final score at 15-10. However, the ambition and tenacity present on the pitch today marks a milestone in the 09/10 York BUCS squad who, by now, know what they must do in order to be frontrunners for the league title this year. Today, in the rain, York proved that they could play their brand of rugby clinically and in any conditions- a big confidence booster at the half-way stage of the season.

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After an intense warm up with calls of “half a yard” ringing all around, a sweep of the pitch was conducted to remove as many rocks from the pitch as possible.

The match begins. A huge drop kick was lofted into the clouds by our cameo ten, Will “tape thong” Peters. This was chased by our significant pack and straight away a good platform was set for our backs to attack.
The ball was passed from the base of the ruck and a switch in the centres led to a half break by our inspirational leader Simon “captain” Reed. However, he was caught by the last defender and a maul was set up. Reinforcements arrived and an almighty drive from the 22 followed. The person in control of this was Jack, who at the appropriate time broke away and scored just to the left of the posts.
Will Peters steps up for his first conversion of the season…Success.
York 7 Hull 0.

Set up, ready to catch a kick off the referee stops and throws a boulder off the pitch. Hull’s kick is scuffed and bobbles to Jordan.
He remembers training and spins it wide. Through simple hands the ball is run out of our half. We are set up just past the half way line and a blinder is called, the ball travels straight across the pitch to the winger Niall who is standing wide. So wide…he isn’t even on the pitch.
A lineout is called.
Opposition lineout is stolen and with a simple DSP Reedo scores with ease followed by another nice conversion. York 14 Hull 0.

Rugby becomes slightly scrappy for 10 minutes. We find ourselves defending a scrum in our own half. Yet, fortune is still on our side one of Hull’s props has lost his boot (he continues the rest of the match with just one boot). We win the scrum…their winger is flat…Will looks up and puts a kick through for B,B,B,BOT on the wing. BOT misses the ball, but leading by example Simon scoops up the ball and scores in the corner. Conversion has the direction but falls just short. York
19 Hull 0.

Nearly half time, just the right amount for another score. The kick off is caught and champagne rugby follows. Backs are rucking, forwards are in the back line. Yet, everything clicks and the try is scored by Nial “on the pitch this time” Walsh. Conversion made. HALF TIME. York
26 Hull…still 0.

Half time. Time to get some water on board. If only the freshers filled up the bottles with cold water!

Sides have been swapped and almost immediately, not only are we playing but Simon has scored his hat-trick. Conversion successful.
York 33 Hull 0
Complacency sets in and almost immediately they come back with a try of their own. The drift defence was going so well…York 33 Hull 7.

A stern word has been said. We trundle back up the field. We build up some momentum and win a penalty. Do we kick for touch, go for posts.
No…Will having a quality game takes a quick tap, and fires a cross field kick which lands perfectly in Guesty’s hands. York 40 Hull 7

A lapse in concentration after the restart and a penalty is given away. Hull kick for touch. They are in a good position win the ball and set up a rolling maul. They are on our line they flop over and the ball is dropped by Hull over the line. The referee misses this and another player dives on the ball. The try is given. Will Marwick sees red and begins arguing with the official. The referee shows yellow.
With ten minutes remaining Will “the raging bull” will not get on again. York 40 Hull 12

Down to 14 men is there any magic left in this 3 XIV? A ruck the ball pops out. Like a footballer (yes punishment followed) Joe springs into action putting in a through ball to himself. He adds a step over…and with appropriate downward pressure we arrive at the final score. York
45 Hull 12.

Fantastic effort and a great first win of the season.

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After an emphatic victory away from home against Newcastle, the team were confident that under the stewardship of Tate, they could truly stamp their mark on 22 acres parachuting themselves to league leader’s. Yet what the bumble-bees hadn’t accounted for was that the Hallam Captain had resorted to buggery and was sleeping with the ‘independent’ referee who proved more biased than Andre Watson in the 2003 World Cup final. Nevertheless the Yorkies came out firing and were soon building momentum in the Hallam 22.

It was then that an endless-run of penalties began against the men in black and yellow. No fools, the Hallam boys were able to exploit this with some good lines and an accurate kicking boot. Indeed it was on the end of one of these kick’s that the seemingly tireless ‘man-mountain’ Phil Johnson found himself, and showing more agility than Billy Elliott he pirouetted past tackler after tackler before finally being brought down. Unfortunately this display of excellence lead to Johnson being carried from the pitch in the latest run of ankle injuries that are running rife through the 2nd XV ranks. This lead to new boy Jordan Huey-Abbott taking an increased role in the line-outs as main-jumper, a task he didn’t shy from. With the help of the ‘white Mark Henry’ CRM soon had the Hallam pack marching backwards, and with a successful series of back moves, supplied excellently by Woody, it was not long before space opened up on the wings and the inevitable happened: Usain Bolt scored in the corner. Carmony’s effort at the posts was commendable but unfortunately just wide.

The seemingly impenetrable York defence now faltered after a series of heavy hit’s most notably coming from the open-side Morrison and the most feared man in UYRUFC history, a man who can slam a revolving door, a man who drinks lighter-fluid at the half time break, the man who spear-tackles during touch sessions, the man responsible behind every major assassination in world history: the one and only loose cannon. This momentary blip in what league 3B has duped the ‘Great Wall of China’ saw Hallam find the line in the corner, levelling the scores at 5-5. Just before the half-time whistle Hallam slotted a penalty to lead 8-5.

The second half began with a period of truly brilliant rugby which saw both sides going at each other like two opposing packs of rabid dog’s fighting over a leg of lamb, a sight that can also be likened to Jock Miles homing in for the kill on a Ziggy’s night. A guiley kick into the corner from Hallam, resulted in one of their few pieces of clean line-out ball, and following a well executed back’s move, Hallam found themselves just 5 metres from the line, which their forwards eventually crashed over. It was now that York erupted into life following a powerful talk from Will Tate that the Yorkie warriors again found themselves relentlessly hammering the Hallam lines of defence.

This period of passionate rugby is one for the York 2nds to remember and strive to emulate at a later date, and despite the referee’s best efforts, nobody could stop Terraga scoring in the corner. It was now that the management had a blip, waiting until Carmony had taken the kick before subbing on James Mortimer whose kicking game is second to none, and can reputedly shoot pheasant with just a rugby boot and ball. Shortly after the kick off Hallam were awarded another penalty which they kicked and despite the ball swinging wide of the posts, the referee, in perhaps his most controversial move of the day, awarded Hallam the points to give them a lead of 16-10. With the 1st XV now arriving on the sideline the final ten minutes was a period of total York domination, and only some commendable last ditch-attempt tackles from Hallam prevented what many watching thought was a forgone conclusion, a match winning Yorkie try. A good side, but one to beat in the next encounter.

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Wednesday was the day chosen for the 3rds to make their stand against Hull 2s, a notoriously strong side.  The lines were drawn and the men were ready to ‘get stuck in’ like a UYRUFCian on Wednesday night Ziggys.  York, were receiving first so everyone assumed their positions as a high kick went straight to ‘Safe hands’ Kearney.

York was immediately hit by a powerful Hull line but it was like water on a rock, the York line held.  The play continued as normal for the next ten minutes until disaster strikes, Tom Morris limps off while York are sitting on their own line, it looks like this might be an opportunity for Hull, but no, the brave Yorkers hold solid and give hull nothing.

Finally after a lengthy stalemate Guesty smashes through for York’s 1^st try, which is neatly converted by Will Peters.  However, this causes York to slack off, which results in a sloppy intercept try. The scores are now level again.  Finally Safe Hands Kearney boshes over the line after York have a well-worked patch of play just before half time. Once again Peters slots it.

At half time there are some stern words said as we realize that we should be all over them. The second half commences with a solid chase and hit. After the first few minutes it is clear that York have found new motive (Ziggys Girls) and are powering on. After about 5 minutes the super subs arrive to reinforce the team, York are looking very strong now. Peters decides to take his chances and nails a quick penalty making the score 17-7. BOT is having a stormer, making a dash up the wing he steps 1, steps 2, dummy, steps 3, magical run.  Finally BOT gets his well-deserved try and gasses over the line. York are now living in Hulls half, a few penalty attempts and near breaks, finally Hull can stand it no more. Guesty puts Reedo through for another York try. The final nail is in the coffin. York starts going through the motions, winding down the game.

The game ends with BOT putting in a huge dump tackle to tumultuous applause, Hull can stand it no more, the final whistle blows, victory York. The final score is 29-7.

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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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Still reeling from the heavy defeat of the previous week, an apprehensive Will Tate and his equally anxious team boarded the coach for Newcastle, the league leaders, hoping to return to winning ways. Traffic had delayed arrival and a less than satisfactory warm up did little to relieve the unease amongst the squad.
From the kick off however, it seemed such anxiety was misplaced. York immediately took control of the game.

Phil Johnston and James Garmston combined seamlessly in the lineout, providing clean ball for the backs. Adam Wood, recovered from the horror pass that gave Morty flashbacks to the Dudley era, whipped the ball to James Mortimer and a well executed set play saw Freshman Gabriel Adejeti over in the corner for the first score. Further success was to follow for the intrepid travellers. Revelling in the space afforded them by James Mortimer’s intelligent distribution and the rumbustuous Matt Cannon’s direct running, and with Chris Reid-Milligan and Will Tate’s clever support play fixing defenders in the centre there was ample time and space for the back three to stretch their legs. Ollie Tilney sprinted the length of the pitch to double York’s advantage, before Rishi Bojangles crashed over from close range for a further score. Wing Pete Teragger, on sabbatical from the first team, was also causing problems and could have had a first half hat-trick if it wasn’t for superb Newcastle defence.
The second half was no different. Immediately Guy Holder-Williams, on for the classy Sam Morrison, embarked on a memorable run. The ‘Guscott hip swerve’, for which Holder-Williams has become famous, was on full show as he went past defender after defender. Unfortunately he was stopped metres before the line, thus depriving him of stunning comeback score.

Ben James Parrett on the other hand crowned his comeback from the wilderness of college rugby with a well taken try in the corner. Gabriel Adejeti finished another try, and Pete Teragger got the try his performance deserved with a fine take off an inch perfect cross field from the ever classy James Mortimer.

Captain Will Tate remarked after the game that he had asked for the team to be more ruthless in attack, and was pleased the outside backs provided the clinical edge the team had lacked the week before.

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The Cup. A relatively easy draw. A chance to progress past the first round. Such positivity seemed well founded until arrival at Leeds and the realisation that despite playing Leeds 3rd XV they had instead chosen to field their 2nd XV.
York did not start well, errors in defence and attack, saw Leeds score at will, their big runners causing havoc in the visitors defence, and by half time the score was a chastening 28-0. Captain Will Tate was not best pleased and implored his team start playing rugby. This they did. George Wissen came on to shore up the scrums, shrugging off his man flu to star in a man of the match performance. And within ten minutes of the restart the score was 28 -19. An intercept score form Des Pollen had proved a catalyst for some fantastic attacking play which saw York cross for two more well deserved tries. The eclectic Carmony, Limerick’s answer to Carlos Spencer, showed his quality executing a cross field kick into the arms of the onrushing Pollen to take the score to 28 – 14. Before a converted try from Ryan Johnston cut Leeds lead to nine points.
This is how it stayed until the final few minutes, when following a raft of Leeds substitutions, the home team managed to take advantage of York’s flagging defence with some fine offloads and tries.
Will Tate, although disheartened by the defeat, was impressed by the manner in which the team had responded to his halt time ponderings. He philosophically reflected that the team had learnt far more in defeat than they would have in victory.

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(Lost 59-0)

The BUCS Cup draw wasn’t kind to York 3s as they faced an impressive Leeds 2s side, who only last season, lost to York 1s by 7points. After losing to Leeds 3s in the previous week, one would have expected the 3s to go into the game expecting the worst and that to be reflected in the score line. From the kick off, that looked to be the case as Leeds ran in a series of early tries through quick backs play, not to mention breaking through numerous York tackles. By half time, York’s deficit was that that of 36 points and things only looked like they would continue. However, the 3s showed Leeds what they were made of, and from the second half whistle came out a different team. With strong fringe defence and few missed tackles, the 3s really showed Leeds, a team 3 divisions above them, that they were not giving up.

Despite the heavy defeat, anyone who was at that game knows that Leeds 2s, like the 3s the previous week, were made to claw and fight for every point they got – something the BUCS history books won’t tell you.

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Another intense battle was awaiting York 1^st 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 1^st 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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On Wednesday 14^th of October the University of York rugby first team began the epic transition into the formidable 1A League, against Liverpool 1^st. Having known that Liverpool had been defeated the week before spirits were high as we took the long bus journey.

Upon arrival Kit king Richard Bremner already had one victory over the opposition, not one of the enemy possessed a matching pair of socks with a team mate. Stashed up and fired up Yorkies took to the field, after an inspiring team talk from Alexander Redshaw the battle cry came out and the silent squeeze commenced.

Early transitions between the sides were closely fought neither giving anything early on, after settling down after the initial adrenaline rush York saw gaps behind the Liverpool defence, this was exploited well in stages by both Robert Grant and Richard Bremner, nearly leading to tries in both corners. Seeing the play going our way the pressure began to build up on Liverpool’s 22 meter line this led to a penalty in front of the posts well put away by Grant.

Not intent on resting on the early lead York continued to press and good work by the forwards who continued to put pressure on the opposition scrum resulting in a push over try from former captain Mike Callis. Despite brief breaks from the opposition number 8 resulting in a concussion for Will Forsythe, York’s defence was solid with nothing coming through the centre partnership of Michael James and Gruffudd Jones.

The second half starting again with tight play from both sides both teams defence were holding strong, breaks were made by Thomas Bugge and Jones but came to nothing until another penalty was put away by Grant taking the score to 13-0. York had victory in their sights for the first time in 1A but a barrage from the Liverpool team followed.

As the game went into its late stages breaks were made round the outside and with five minutes to go the ball seemingly held up over the York line was given as a try by the referee, with the conversion made tension grew in the York side and Liverpool were able to approach the York line, with the last play of the game Pete Nathan managed to get his large physique under the ball to hold up another possible Liverpool try and give York the game in the dying seconds. What a start to what is sure to be an epic season. Final score 13-7.

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