THE men’s firsts rugby union and hockey teams led the way for the University of York to push towards the British Universities and Colleges Sports top 40.

The rugby ranks racked up a 35-13 victory over Leeds Met 2nds.

Will Sharp was in fine form during an impressive team display, scoring three tries.

At the hockey, the men’s first XI produced one of the results of the day, by winning their opening match of the season 3-2 in a thrilling encounter against a strong Durham 3rds outfit.

York raced into an early 2-0 lead, before being pegged back by the visitors.

Jammy Wilson though tapped home midway through the second half to seal a valuable three points.

However, both the men’s and ladies’ seconds’ team suffered defeats to dent their respective BUCS drives.

On the new 3G pitches, meanwhile, the poor form of York men’s seconds football continued.

They were condemned to a 4-1 defeat against Bishop Burton College.

However, the first XI did secure a valuable point away at Leeds Trinity University, which leaves them unbeaten at this early stage of the season.

There was a thumping 9- 2 victory for the ladies firsts against Hull, while the men’s thirds had to share the spoils against York St John, after the game finished 1-1.

One of the highlights of the day though was an all- York encounter in men’s basketball. The firsts demonstrated their added power and skill, to record a 90-39 victory over a determined York second team.

York’s netball first team opened their season with a commanding 36-20 win to sit top of their division at these very early stages.

There was a successful away trip for the men’s first lacrosse team.

They recorded an emphatic 16-3 victory at Leeds Met to continue their fine 100 per cent start to the season.

The women also played, and had a very tight clash with Durham 3rds, from which they eventually emerged 8-7 winners to open their campaign in excellent fashion.

Elsewhere, there was an enthralling 6-6 draw for York’s men’s tennis firsts against Northumbria, while York’s ladies basketball edged past the same opposition 38-31, to secure their first win of the season.

The men’s volleyball team succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against Varsity rivals Hull 1sts, a scoreline they’ll look to avenge later on in the year.

In other racquet sports, York ladies squash firsts received a walkover against Bradford to hand them their second victory of the campaign, while York men’s badminton team ran out 5-3 winners over Leeds 2nds.

There were heavy defeats for both the men’s seconds and women’s badminton sides, to put a cloud over the performance of the first team.

Overall, another successful day for sport at York in the bid to break into the top 40.