Uni’s union ranks pass test of mettle (From York Press)

Uni’s union ranks pass test of mettle

8:50am Saturday 20th February 2010 in University of York sport By Adam Shergold and Lewis Colam

IN the hunt for British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) silverware, York University’s men’s rugby union firsts recovered from an uncharacteristically sluggish start to beat Sheffield University 28-5.

Frustrated by the concession of an early try and some stout defending, York must have felt their promotion dreams were slipping away. However, a superb second-half display, which saw tries from Tow Weir (2), Gabriel Adebiyi and Tom Buggé, means the champagne is now on ice.

York host Northumbria today and will be hoping for a large win to bolster their points difference before Sheffield Hallam, with whom they are locked on 31 points at the top of League 1A, take on Sheffield University tomorrow.

The women’s hockey firsts, fresh from advancing into the semi-finals of the BUCS Cup competition on Monday, preserved their proud unbeaten record this season with an excellent 5-1 win against Durham thirds.

Emily Lucas opened the scoring early on and, although Durham equalised with a close-range finish, York took command in the second period, scoring through Laura Pepper, Rachael Faustino, Hannah Gage and a penalty flick from Andrea Pisesky.

The result carried York above Durham in League 3B and improved their goal difference.

Victories in their remaining fixtures against Leeds, Newcastle and Northumbria will mean the team bounce back to League 2B at the first attempt. They also have the cup semi-final, at home to Sheffield University, to look forward to this Wednesday.

But a brace of other silverware dreams ended.

The women’s football team lost 3-1 to a clinical Leeds Met Carnegie side, pushing them out of the promotion picture. York matched the unbeaten leaders for long spells but only had a Katy Ballentyne goal to show for their efforts.

The women’s volleyball team suffered similar disappointment, but gave everything in losing 3-2 to Newcastle University.

Elsewhere, all four football teams lost. The firsts struggled to adapt to the synthetic pitch favoured by bogey side Hull and went down 1-0, their second defeat in Humberside this season.

The seconds remain top of their division, but are looking over their shoulder at Huddersfield, who have two games in hand, after a surprise 3-2 home defeat to Newcastle.

The thirds were stunned 4-1 at York St. John, while the fourths lost 2-1 at home to Sheffield.

Varsity fare

NEXT weekend witnesses the much-anticipated return of Varsity to the University sports calendar.

The annual contest with York St John was cancelled due to fixture congestion last year, but has been reinvigorated and reformatted over a Saturday and Sunday to allow as many as 850 athletes to participate over 12 different sports.

“I’m really excited about the competition,” said Emily Scott, the York Sport President.

“I’m already dreaming of lifting the trophy and we’re hoping to pick up points in most of the sports.”