THE University of York’s usual array of British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) fixtures were hit by a spate of cancellations, writes Dan Holland.

As the weather wreaked havoc on the playing fields in midweek, a succession of York sides found themselves unable to play their BUCS Cup fixtures, while others were able to take a bye into the next round with the opposition simply failing to show.

One team that were in action, however, were the men’s fencing firsts – for so long one of the University’s top performers.

This campaign has proved tricky so far and they fell to a fourth defeat of the year on Wednesday, crashing out of the cup at the hands of Northumbria.

In an incredibly tight encounter, Northumbria took the win by only two points, 125-123, to inflict another painfully narrow defeat on the home side.

It was a closer scoreline than the White Rose managed against the same opposition a month ago.

In stark contrast, the men’s lacrosse side are enjoying a spectacular season, and made it six wins from six as they beat Bangor 13-3.

William Chun’s team have been in rampant attacking form all season, and this week was no exception.

Star men Andy Thomas, Joe Tebbutt and Chris Menon once more took matters into their own hands, as they profited time and again from a lethal counter-attacking display.

It was 10-1 going into the break, and despite an improved showing from the visitors in the second half, York were comfortable winners.

They now face their main rivals for promotion, Durham seconds, next week in what is sure to be their most hotly-contested match of the campaign.

There was also success for the women’s volleyball side, who beat rivals Hull in straight sets to book their place in the quarter-finals of the cup. That makes it three wins on the bounce for a fast improving York outfit.

Despite starting each set slowly, York took the first two confidently, as some impressive smashes saw them rack up a convincing lead.

The first set finished 25-10 in favour of the hosts, while Hull’s fortunes improved little in the second set, going down 25-16.

The final set, however, was a much closer affair but York’s fighting spirit meant that they came out on top. At 23-23 the set was in the balance. Principal setter Lucia Linares was brought on and York began to construct their play again as they took a 25-24 lead, needing only one more point.

The final point came in a move that epitomised Hull’s performance as a whole, mis-hitting the ball into the net.

Away from home, there was little for the York sides to cheer. The men’s badminton firsts went down 5-3 in Sheffield, while the men’s hockey firsts were narrowly beaten 2-1 at Northumbria.