York’s 1st XV had their promotion hopes ended in a devastating fashion after suffering two losses in the space of four days, going down 24-19 and 15-12 to Manchester 1sts and Liverpool 1sts respectively.
York’s push for promotion first took a large dent on Wednesday against league leaders Manchester, and with both sides battling for the prize of reaching BUCS’ elite rugby leagues the game was understandably tense; packed with passion and desire. Both of these qualities were particularly visible in the sides’ defences, as the match remained scoreless for the opening half hour.
To the fans’ delight, it was the home team who were finally able to break the deadlock. The York forwards turned the ball over and Mortimer kicked well and deep, leaving the opposition full-back to clear only as far as his own 22. York continued to press their way towards the Manchester try-line and after some desperate Manchester defence, scrum half Tom Bugge managed to find a gap and dive over for the opening try.
Mortimer’s conversion made it 7-0 and it looked as if York would go into half-time in the lead, but it wasn’t to be. York’s Phillips was sin-binned for a high-tackle and the resulting penalty allowed Manchester to pull the score back to 7-3.
One minute before half-time and things got even worse for the black and gold. Adebiyi’s kick was charged down, gifting Manchester possession on the York 5 metre line, which their forwards managed to convert to points by driving over, the conversion taking Manchester into the break with a 10-7 lead.
Manchester further increased their advantage early in the second-half. They battered their way impressively through the York defence before the full-back ran blind to touch down and then skilfully convert himself to make the score 17-7.
This widening of the gap seemed to momentarily take the wind out of York’s sails. They began to make mistakes and crumbled to the unrelenting Manchester pressure once more as they drove over right under the posts, increasing their lead to 24-7.
At this point, York looked out of it, but rather than give in to the strength of this Manchester side, they began to fight with increased desire and almost staged a memorable comeback. They continued to worry the Manchester defence, who were lucky to keep 15 men on the pitch after struggling to contain the home attack legally. York did eventually get their just desserts however. The home side passed fluidly down the back line, allowing winger Will Sharp to use his pace and touch down in the corner to make it 24-12.
The introduction of big-man Uche Oduoza continued to spur on a rallying York side, and they scored again in delightful fashion when James Mortimer chipped delicately into the corner, Sharp collecting the ball and scoring once more. Mortimer then converted with aplomb from a tight angle to make it
24-19 and put his side within one score of a heroic victory with 5 minutes to go.
Despite huge efforts, however, York simply ran out of time, leaving the final whistle to introduce a silent air of eerie disappointment to 22 acres immediately broken by the jubilant screams of the victorious Manchester.
Worse was to come. On Saturday, Liverpool finished the job which Manchester had started, killing off York’s hopes of promotion for good. The visiting team were physically bigger than York’s squad, which meant it was easy for them to overpower the home side, and they scored their first try after a great kick to touch had put them into a threatening position.
Liverpool widened the gap to 10-0 with a penalty and then, despite the efforts of the York defence, were able to go over again to make it 15-0. The teams went into the break with the scoreline the same, with the resolute and disciplined Liverpool ably shutting out the home attack.
In the second half both York and Liverpool became more feisty and aggressive as the home side piled on the pressure. An unconverted try brought the scores back to 15-5, and they then continued to exert constant pressure on the Liverpool try-line.
The team were finally rewarded; a particularly zealous exultation from the supporters was enough to convince the referee that York had in fact crossed the line successfully, causing a York sub to exclaim, “We just shouted so much he just gave it to us!” Ambiguous though it was, it was undeniably deserved. James Mortimer converted his second attempt successfully, setting up a thrilling ending with the game poised at a tense 15-12. Shortly after, Liverpool missed a penalty and York looked as if they could perhaps steal a victory.
The referee’s decisions caused plenty of heated arguments, increased aggravation and scuffles between players but despite their drive and aggression, York were once again unable to snatch an all important late win. They ended the match looking disheartened, with the knowledge that both Manchester and Liverpool had now crept ahead of them in the BUCS league and their chances of promotion were ruined.
York’s captain Tom Weir commented on how “Liverpool were a bloody good team. Even though we’ve beaten them twice already this season they just had a very good first half. It all came down to one pass here and there, one referee’s decision here and there too… but we put up one hell of a fight. It’s our fourth game in a week and a half so we’re tired. But we never gave up.”