York University’s sports teams battled tough rivals and bitterly cold weather to yield another strong set of results this week and bolster their aim to remain in the top 40 ranked BUCS institutions.

There was disappointment in the headline match, though, as the men’s rugby union first team continued to find life in Northern Premier ‘B’ difficult, succumbing to a 40-24 loss at home to Nottingham Trent. The visiting pack was too strong for the injury-hit hosts to contend with, with York struggling at the breakdown and scrummage. It was also a lethargic display from York, who were too often camped in their own half, with most of their scores coming against the run of play.

Their tries were scored by Will Sharp, Jamie Boyd and Will Thorp and Conan Osborne, who made two of the four conversions. There was better news for York on the football pitch, where the women's first XI came from behind to beat local rivals York St John University 4-1.

The first half was keenly contested. A slow start and lackadaisical tracking back by York Uni allowed St John to score from a speculative ball over the top.

However, York upped their game and never looked back, with the superb Anty Cole equalising midway through the first half, heading in from a corner. In the second half, York Uni were superb, playing with a high midfield and being relentless in attack, with further goals coming from Sophie Jeremy, Annie Chambers and Cole. The player of the match was Maria Davies, who was solid at the back and showed fantastic distribution.

York men’s football first team strengthened their position at the top of the league with a 2-1 victory against Leeds Metropolitan, leaving them firm favourites to secure promotion. The women’s rugby union side extended their unbeaten start to the season with a tight 14-5 victory at Teesside, their main rivals for promotion, leaving them top of the table with a mighty points difference of plus-205 after only four matches. York’s netball first team maintained their superb unbeaten run, defeating Sheffield 2nds 51-39 to stay top of the table. Rachel Turner was in great form, dominating the centre of the court, while Grace Clarke remained prolific at the net.

York men’s lacrosse team helped their push for promotion, overcoming rivals Leeds Metropolitan 16-2. York dominated from the off, with play taking place in the Leeds half throughout most of the four periods.

Leeds mounted attacks, often against the run of play, but struggled to get past York ’keeper George Blamford. Thomas Beetham’s distribution and running play across the middle of the park was at the centre of York’s game plan, and he was named man of the match. Other strong results came from the men’s fencing team, defeating arch-rivals Lancaster 112-108 in a close contest – boding well for ‘Roses’, the York-Lancaster Varsity next year.