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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In a tightly contested game, it was substitute James Mortimer that proved the difference. A masterful display at fly-half was capped with a superb drop goal that gifted the home side the lead midway through the second half. Mortimer was only on the field due to an injury, but he showed characteristic class as he wrested control of the match from the visitors.
Despite wet conditions York went into the game still determined to display the attacking verve that typifies their style of rugby. However it was this loyalty to width combined with a greasy ball that saw them concede the first try. Poor handling amongst the backs saw the ball fall to the floor and a lucky fly hack from a Sheffield three quarter was pounced on over the line for the first score.
With a young and inexperienced pack led by the unflappable Phil Johnson, York struggled to find a rhythm. With the forwards ‘under the cosh’ it was left to Mortimer’s deft kicking game and some strong running from centre, Matt ‘Lucy’ Robinson, to provide the home team with valuable territory. Only small errors stopped York from drawing level. However, it was fine try line defence from debutant Jason Cross, that made sure the score was only 7-0 at half time.
The second half proved very different. With the York forwards finally gaining the ascendancy in the tight, it was time for the backs to cut loose. A superbly taken try from Rishi Bojangles cut the deficit, before a penalty and then a drop goal from Mortimer saw York take the lead. Sheffield tried to pin York back with their kicking game but it was to no avail. A final try from Gabriel Atediji, sealed the win in some style.

The second half proved very different. With the York forwards finally gaining the ascendancy in the tight, it was time for the backs to cut loose. A superbly taken try from Ollie Tilney cut the deficit, before a penalty and then a drop goal from Mortimer saw York take the lead. Sheffield tried to pin York back with their kicking game but it was to no avail. A final try from Gabriel Atediji, sealed the win in some style.

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