A REHEARSAL for a day-long clash of sports tomorrow featured for University of York in this week’s British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) action, writes Dan Holland.

The headline act was the rugby union clash with rivals Hull, taking place in the same week as the White Rose Varsity tournament that pits the two universities against each other in 20 different sports tomorrow.

York’s promising start to the season has been somewhat derailed of late, and their poor form continued as they surrendered a commanding half-time lead to slip to an 18-12 defeat.

Tries from Will Sharp and Adam Gaskill put York 12-3 up at the break, after 40 minutes in which they had dominated possession and dictated the pattern of play.

In truth, the home side should have been further ahead, but a resurgent Hull team made them pay for their profligacy.

The visitors produced a remarkable comeback, scoring a penalty and two tries of their own, with York unable to match their opponents’ physicality, particularly after captain James Faktor was forced to leave the field with a dislocated shoulder.

The men’s rugby firsts are now without a win since mid-November, slipping to fourth in the BUCS Northern Conference 1A.

Most of the other fixtures saw duty in the BUCS Northern Conference Cup quarter-finals.

After an epic penalty flicks victory in the last 16, the women’s hockey firsts ensured safe passage to the last four with a comfortable victory over Sheffield Hallam seconds.

It was a kind draw for York, facing a side two divisions below, and Hannah Gage and her team posted a 3-1 victory.

They will now travel to Durham in two weeks for their semi-final showdown.

There was disappointment, however, for the women’s basketballers, who lost out on a semi-final place after a narrow 51-47 defeat to Northumbria University.

Janne Billiet’s side were looking comfortable at half-time, but collapsed defensively in the third and fourth quarters, leaving themselves an uphill task.

The home side did produce a late comeback, but the visitors used their time-outs to curb any momentum York could build, and were able to run down the clock for the victory.

The women’s squash team made it through to the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Durham, while the women’s tennis and badminton sides also progressed after their respective opponents from Huddersfield and York St John were unable to field teams.