Following York’s 94 points to 5 victory over Sunderland on their last encounter, York have been offered (and accepted) the walkover. These crucial three points have now brought York IUniveristy 2^nd XV to the top of the league. York now only need to get a draw in their final encounter to be promoted into Northern Conference League 2B. However the Yorkies will be looking for nothing other than the win in the local derby against York St.John’s 1^st XV. If York were to lose the game they would find themselves tied on points with York St John’s 1^st XV and Sheffield Hallam 2^nd XV, so the win is crucial. The intensity at York RI (where the game is being played) come Wednesday will be at Roses level, especially considering York are still looking for vengeance after York St.John inflicted one of the Uni’s 2^nd teams only two loses beating the under-strength York side 32 points to 5. So I therefore implore you to come and watch and support the bumble-bees in their final push for promotion. 2.00 p.m kick-off at York RI (Y024 4NT – http://www.yorkrirugby.moonfruit.com/#/locationcontacts/4534347624 ).

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As the score-line suggests York delivered a comprehensive and resounding 89 point drumming of Sunderland. The real mismatch between the teams was in the quality of their backlines: York with talent in abundance in this area proved all too much for Sunderland with stand-in fly half Matt Pollen picking up five tries. Lacking Mortimer, full back Tom ‘Bummer’ Morris was also clinical in picking up the extra two points, and in all collected 32 points. Scrum-half Woodley showed his class once again and was particularly efficient with the boot finding Pollen or Gabriel on the end of every kick as regularly as clockwork.  Terrager (T-bag) also collected a hat trick of tries and all the rest of the backline also added themselves to the score board except Woody. No tries did came from numbers 1 to 8.

Nevertheless as any forward will attest, had it not been for the energy about the park, mastery of the lineout’s and all around commitment, the backs wouldn’t have had a ball to play with and the bigger Sunderland pack may have made more of an impression. As it happens the Sunderland pack did have their moment despite resolute York defence and through an endless series of crash balls and consecutive rhino’s they finally managed to cross York’s line. However that was the only sniff Sunderland were allowed all game and had it not been for some very suspect fly hacking coming from open-side flanker Sam Morrisson the Bumblebees could well have picked up a Century. Indeed it was only on his third kicking display instead of picking up the ball and running with it that Morrisson was able to convince the team that his man of the match performance in fact translated to dick of the day!

In all it is a very positive result for the 2nd XV as they now home their sights on promotion into northern conference league 2, yet they do require maximum points from all five remaining games and still have league contenders York St John 1st XV and Sheffield Hallam 2nd XV’s to play. Prediction: York will get promoted after tight games against St John and Hallam as long as they remain injury free and their focus at training remains at match intensity.

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