Nouse.co.uk » Adam Shergold’s Wednesday Round-up: 11 February

Adam Shergold’s Wednesday Round-up: 11 February

February 12, 2009
Adam Shergold

So many games, just too little time. Britain’s wonderfully inconsiderate climate – so much for global warming – might have claimed Varsity, but the ever-growing pile of BUCS League and Cup fixtures still needs to be sorted, and quickly. Yesterday could not be wasted, therefore, and the result was a programme bursting at the seams, with almost every one of York’s teams in action. Nouse and YSTV will guide you through the afternoon’s headlines.

Result of the day must be the women’s rugby team, whose 41-0 thumping of Sunderland meant progression into the last four of the BUCS Cup, an achievement only matched by a handful of York teams. The girls even eclipsed the 34-point haul against Leeds Trinity in the previous round, but will now face a stern examination in the semi-finals, with Liverpool, Sheffield Hallam and, intriguingly, Lancaster still in contention. The firsts will face fixture congestion in the last weeks of term, with three league fixtures and, potentially, another two cup fixtures still to complete.

Joining them in the last four of the inaugural series of BUCS Cup tournaments will be the women’s lacrosse team, who must surely rank among York’s most successful and consistent clubs this season. A 14-2 home victory against Leeds Met meant they effortlessly combined cup progress with sizzling league form – they have scored 150 times in eight matches in all competitions – and must surely be favourites to claim the silverware.

(Justyn Hardcastle)

In Wednesday’s other BUCS Cup action, the women’s badminton team were dumped out 7-1 by Durham seconds at the quarter-final stage, a shock to the system following some excellent league form, which sees them hot on the heels of Sheffield Hallam at the summit. Elsewhere, there was a double blow for York’s fencing teams, with both male and female interest in the cup ended on the same afternoon. The women’s team made the absurdly long train journey to Aberdeen, losing 135-114, while the men were beaten 145-113 at Leicester.

(George Lowther)

The men’s volleyball team were dauntingly paired with Student Cup holders Leeds Met in the last sixteen of their competition and, while the straight sets defeat was anticipated, York played with tremendous skill and team spirit and deserved more from the game. The women’s volleyball match against Sheffield University, a quarter-final tie, has been rearranged until Sunday.

However, it was an outstanding day for York’s racket sport teams, with a clean sweep of victories for the squash, table tennis and tennis firsts. Playing Liverpool, the women’s squash team repeated last week’s achievement of not dropping a set to record a 4-0 overall result, while the men’s team cruised past Manchester Met. 4-1. The men’s tennis have found relief in the BUCS Cup and yesterday’s stunning 10-0 victory against Newcastle set up a semi-final duel with Sheffield University. Joy, too, for the table tennis team, who beat Sheffield 10-7 and will now take on Oxford in the last 16.

(Justyn Hardcastle)

Wrapping up the BUCS League action now and, firstly, the women’s football team, who were slightly unlucky to lose 2-0 against Northumbria. Two goals in a frenetic opening 15 minutes, which also saw York hit post and crossbar, were enough to propel Northumbria to first position, with York lying comfortably in mid-table, but with games in hand.

The men’s rugby firsts are one step closer to their championship ambition after an excellent 37-7 victory against Sheffield, their seventh successive league win. The team sit atop the table by virtue of their vastly superior points difference over Northumbria, although they still have to travel there in a congested climax to the season.

The women’s hockey side claimed a critical three points to ease their relegation concerns, coming from behind to beat Newcastle seconds 2-1. Leeds University, their closest challengers, were thrashed 6-0, allowing York to increase their prospects of survival in a tight division.