Hundreds of York University students returned from their cross-Pennine war of the roses empty-handed after losing by 38 points.

More than 550 athletes in sports from football and netball to snooker, skiing and ballroom dancing travelled to Lancaster University for the annual battle, which this year went to Lancaster by 145-107.

Peter Croft, president of the athletic union at York University, said: "Overall you couldn't fault the performance and dedication that everyone gave. For most of the weekend York's support was amazing, often exceeding that of the home university.

"Lancaster may have won, but it's the first time they have since 2000. I'm very proud of everyone, and the weekend was still an amazing success."

Highlights of the weekend for York included a whitewash in the women's football, the first and second teams winning, and victory for all four badminton teams for12 points.

In the cricket, York men's first team skittled Lancaster for 83 and York's opening batsmen knocked off the runs for a ten wicket victory.

York's first, second and third netball teams all won and York took the canoe polo contests.

Lancaster swept the board in the sailing events and pipped York 90-81 in the swimming, but in the rowing York won the senior women's 8, senior men's 4, senior women's 4 and novice men's 4.

York men's basketball first team lost 72-71. The womne's fencing 133-133 result was split by Lancaster winning two disciplines to one.

York won judo and karate as well as the archery. Lancaster waltzed the ballroom dancing 3-1 and won the pool and darts. York took the snooker points.

Updated: 11:05 Wednesday, May 05, 2004