Varsity victory bid (From York Press)

Varsity victory bid

9:57am Saturday 19th February 2011 in University of York sport

VARSITY clashes are back on the agenda at the University of York.

After months of talks with his counterparts at various universities in and around Yorkshire, York Sport president Sam Asfahani has put Varsity back on the sporting calendar.

The White Rose Varsity will see the University of Hull’s sporting sides descend on York next weekend.

An evenly-matched battle is expected by the host organisation, who have been involved in inter-city clashes with York St John University in recent years.

With a new rival to beat, York’s sporting sides are up for the fight.

While many teams will be looking ahead to next weekend’s big clash, York’s football seconds may well be looking back wondering where it all went wrong.

Wednesday’s game against the University of Sunderland’s second team left York disheartened after a promising win at Teesside the previous week. York’s 4-1 defeat leaves them still hovering dangerously close to relegation.

Equally disappointing was the result for the football firsts, who have performed superbly this season to make the quarter-finals of the British Universities & Colleges Sport Cup. However, they returned from their tough trip to Newcastle firsts after a 7-1 defeat.

The women managed to continue their winning streak. Having started their season badly, York’s women’s firsts football side won their third consecutive game on Wednesday against University of Leeds’ seconds.

Striker Gabby Stewart scored a hat-trick as the team claimed a superb 6-0 home win.

Things are also looking up on the netball court, where Cesca Dessain’s firsts beat a tough Newcastle third team 33-25. Dessain said “everyone played their hearts out” in a convincing victory.

The hockey club, who been impressive so far this season, endured a disappointing result from the women’s seconds, who only managed to hold Sheffield University fourths to a 2-2 draw.

Trailing 2-0 before half-time, Sophie Anderson scored both York goals, but the side were unable to secure the win.

Promotion is now out of their reach.

The men’s seconds had a better day, although they made hard work of what should have been an easy win against the University of Sunderland’s firsts, currently bottom of the league.

Finishing 1-0 winners after a lone goal from James Wilson, captain Tom Chevins could only say “a win’s a win”.

However, the team will have to be more convincing next week when they face league leaders Bradford, who are currently denying York the promotion spot.