Perfect dozen for rugby ‘invincibles’ as title is secured
UNIVERSITY OF YORK FIRSTS 31 vs. UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS SECONDS 24
BUCS Northern Conference 2B, Wednesday 18th March 2009
Northumbria, Huddersfield, Hull, Teesside, Sheffield, and now Leeds. Like skittles they have all fallen before the York colossus this season. The rugby firsts completed their flawless season on Wednesday, overcoming their White Rose neighbours 31-24 in the toughest test yet to stylishly wrap up the BUCS Northern Conference 2B title. Captain Mike Callis, who led by example in this engrossing game, had certainly earned his celebratory swigs from the champagne bottle.
In their twelve victories, the team have accumulated 460 points, which is 121 more than second-placed Leeds, who lagged behind by some 15 points in the final reckoning. This has not been so much a plain title win, more complete and utter domination. The team’s free-flowing brand of rugby has been refreshing to watch all season.
Callis commented to Nouse after the final whistle: “I’m overjoyed at this golden moment for York University rugby club and so proud of everyone in the team. It’s been a pleasure to captain this firsts side, whose commitment has never once faltered and this showed through once more against Leeds today.”
Just for a moment though, the perfect record was in jeopardy. The ten minutes after the half-time break were probably York’s worst ten minutes of the entire season as Leeds scored twice, momentarily taking a two-point lead on a sun-bathed 22 Acres, before normal service was resumed. A 30-yard Rob Grant drop-goal made absolutely sure in the nervous final moments, to universal relief. Coach Alec Porter could finally uncork the bubbly.
York had started the encounter meaning business; in only the second minute, Callis pilfered possession from a lazy line-out throw and scorched 20 metres down the left-flank to ground the ball in the corner for 5-0, Grant’s conversion slightly astray. A flurry of penalties followed, awarded by a referee who was sometimes a little over-zealous in penalising the home side, but all three (one York, two Leeds) were wasted.
On the quarter-hour, Leeds were punished for failing to get on the scoreboard as Gryff Jones finished off a move crafted by Rupert Grant’s clever break through the centre to double the lead to ten. At this point in time, York were superior in every facet of the game: stealing line-out ball time after time, moving the ball through the ranks crisply and embarrassing the Leeds scrum.
When Nick Brown touched down in the right corner, the latter point was beautifully illustrated as York’s power in the scrum manoeuvred Leeds’ pack back some 25 metres for another five points. Grant couldn’t find his range once more, but this was already looking like a stroll in the spring sunshine. On the half-hour, prolific try-scorer Tom Weir notched another, stretching the lead to 22-0, again through prowess in the scrum.
Seconds before half-time, Leeds finally made an impression, gliding through a rare chasm in the centre of York’s defence to reduce the deficit. However, given York’s performance to this point, the try appeared innocuous enough on the balance of the game.
These impressions of harmlessness were misplaced. York’s focus at the start of the second period remained in the huddle and Leeds capitalised with two quick-fire scores within ten horrendous minutes, bringing them to within a point with conversions unerringly accurate. When Weir was sin binned on the hour, a Leeds penalty nudged them in front at 24-22.
Trailing in league matches isn’t something York are used to and they weren’t going to stand for it here. They roused themselves for one, final push for that invincible season and, following some patient kicking, replacement James Stone, who can’t remember the last competitive try he scored, rounded off a seemingly endless move, involving literally the entire team, and Grant’s kick planted York back in front. The involvement of the whole team was apt, reflecting the collective spirit evident all season. With injury time dragging on and Leeds wrestling back the bulk of possession, Grant’s drop-goal was a necessary moment of mercy for the assembled spectators.
“After all this drama, the final whistle was one of the happiest moments of my life. In an instant, all the trials and tribulations, aches and pains, highs and lows of the season just ebbed away, but I found myself just too exhausted to properly enjoy it,” added Callis.
“In sport, winning championships is standard for many. Winning championships without having to suffer the indignity of defeat is another thing entirely. That’s why I’m so impressed with how the team have maintained such consistent high standards all season.”
“Minds must now be switched to Roses, however. There’s no point winning twelve from twelve but then losing to Lancaster, we would regret that forever. It’s definitely the highlight of the weekend, so let’s have a big crowd and some vocal support behind us.”
York Line-out: 1. Ben Innes, 2. James Stone, 3. Rupert Grant, 4. Rob Handy, 5. Mike Callis (c), 6. Jack Wakeling, 7. Rory McGregor, 8. Tom Weir, 9. Tim Walker, 10. Rob Grant, 11. Nick Brown, 12. Dave Lowe, 13. Gryff Jones, 14. Peter Nathan, 15. Tom Buggé
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“i’m over the moon for James Stone, who effectively scored the winning try. like all good props, he’s lead from the front on the pitch and in the bar for three years now, but this is his first try for the university, so its safe to say that he’s never topped any try scoring tables! he’s prolific in the bar…less so on the field!”