SPORT at the University of York was hit by waterlogged pitches – but there was plenty of indoor action on the campus.

The postponements, caused by heavy rain, meant frustration for the football, rugby and lacrosse sides as they battle to sustain promotion challenges and avoid relegation in their respective British University and College Sport (BUCS) leagues.

The women’s fencing team took centre stage as they wrapped up the league title with a 135-64 triumph over Northumbria.

With six wins from six, the team now advance to the northern play-offs, where they are likely to face Bangor University for a place in the national finals.

York dominated all three disciplines, winning 45-26 in the sabre, 45-23 in the épée and 45-15 in the foil.

The team contains two England hopefuls for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Louise Highton and Katharine Gracey and their class has showed throughout the season.

“We’re going to go to the play-offs and make an impression,” said captain Kat Chzhen.

There was delight for the women’s volleyball team as a 3-1 victory over Sheffield Hallam put them back in the title race.

After a couple of closely- contested sets left the score balanced at 1-1, York found the greater mental strength and some of their best form to pull ahead.

Excellent work from captain Lucy Porter and Alexa Mitterhuber wore down Sheffield.

Team member Anastasia Harunova said: “Unlike previous years, we are no longer daunted when we lose a set. This bodes well for our chances this season.”

By contrast, the men’s team are struggling to find any kind of consistency and suffered another straight sets defeat to Manchester.

Despite some flashes of individual brilliance, demoralised York were never in contention against a fluid and clinical Manchester opposition, who took the sets 25-17, 25-12 and 25-16.

The result leaves York looking over their shoulder at the relegation battle in League 1A, with any hopes of promotion long since extinguished.

The hockey fixtures survived the deluges. The women’s firsts preserved their unbeaten record with an easy 3-0 win against Sheffield University seconds. They are now hot on the heels of table-toppers Leeds.

The women’s seconds sent out a message to York St John ahead of February’s annual Varsity contest with a 4-2 win.

The men’s seconds surrendered a 2-1 advantage to Leeds Met seconds, eventually losing 4-3.

The men’s tennis team encountered few problems from Leeds University seconds, winning 10-1, while the women’s 7-3 victory over Leeds Met enhanced their title credentials.

The men’s squash team were dumped at the bottom of League 2B after slipping to a 3-2 home defeat against Sheffield.

The men’s football firsts recorded a 3-1 win at Leeds Met. It was their fourth consecutive league win, and their title challenge resumes in January.

Adam Shergold and Lewis Colam