Nouse.co.uk » York battered and bruised in Medical School stalemate

York battered and bruised in Medical School stalemate

November 1, 2009
Adam Shergold

Photograph by Justyn Hardcastle

UNIVERSITY OF YORK FIRSTS 15
HULL YORK MEDICAL SCHOOL 15

Saturday 31st October

In this no-holds-barred pre-BUCS ‘friendly,’ York twice came from behind to earn a 15-all stalemate with the Hull York Medical School (HYMS). When additional time was calculated for the sizeable number of injuries sustained on both sides, this match, ostensibly divided into four 20-minute quarters, lasted over 100. The good news for the aching muscles barely readjusted to the rigours of the sport is that York are unlikely to face such physical opposition in quite some time.

With a number of enthusiastic freshers to blood before the big league kick-off away to Teesside on Wednesday, York rotated their XV regularly throughout this disjointed match, although the majority of replacements were enforced. The unfortunate few who had to play the whole game certainly now understand the true meaning of pre-season training.

A bright opening by HYMS saw them dominate in the scrum and York, yet to gel, found themselves quickly behind. Despite the suspicion of feet being in touch, an unspectacular HYMS break down the left-flank resulted in the opening score, to the delight of their small knot of supporters.

However, York, who in finishing runners-up in both BUCS League and Cup last season aren’t accustomed to defeat, responded fast and hard. A few minutes of sustained pressure culminated in Kirsty Wheeler raging through and, after she was held up, Emma Hodgson tunnelled over to restore parity at 5-5.

The Hull York Medical School provided tough opposition for the women’s rugby firsts on Saturday. Photograph by Justyn Hardcastle.

The try was symbolic of York locating a passage back into the game and, with Clare Beer particularly lively in attack during the second quarter, it wasn’t long before they edged into the lead. Aimee Miller, with a round-the-houses run, went over following more great build-up work from Hodgson.

The lead proved to be short-lived, however, as the redoubtable medics responded on the stroke of half-time. An attempted clearance failed to gain sufficient yards and an opportunistic HYMS forward stormed in to touch down.

The women’s rugby team start their BUCS League campaign away to Teesside on Wednesday. Photograph by Justyn Hardcastle.

With the pendulum swinging back in their direction and fatigue creeping in, the visitors pushed ahead deep into the third quarter. A break down the right wrong-footed the York defence, taking the score to 15-10.

Not wanting to be outdone, however, York ensured a draw when Hodgson claimed her second try of the game, the HYMS defence stalling after a misinterpreted refereeing decision to allow her through. An injury-blighted final quarter offered no further chances and a draw was probably a fair result.

For York, who have four days to soothe their aches and pains before the season proper commences, there were many positives to draw from today’s run-out. The spirit of the newcomers to the team, mixed with the experience of other members in the squad, should make for a silverware-scooping cocktail in 2009-2010.