Tricks, flicks and overhead kicks: The top 10 moments of this year

10) Ultimate Frisbee Rule England

The Ultimate Frisbee club at York has seen vast improvements in both its membership and stature this year, resulting in fantastic achievements throughout the season.

The women’s team, in both the Indoor and Outdoor University Nationals – taking place in January and April respectively – achieved a placing of 3rd in the UK. Technically, then, because the 1st and 2nd place at the Indoor championships were awarded to squads from Scotland and Ireland, York are England’s top side.

This was capped at the Outdoor nationals, a competition for which the squad did not train, with the same squad as last year when York finished last – the team achieved another 3rd place ranking. In short, it has been a truly successful year for the Ultimate Frisbee club.

9) Wonder Goal

Tom Clarke has taken this year’s College Cup by storm, scoring nine goals in five games so far.

His crowning moment however, came in a tense encounter with Halifax 4ths in which the James striker scored a hat-trick. The first of these goals was a delightful lob, and the third a left-footed piledriver, but it was the second goal that stole the show.

It is no overstatement to say it was a goal worthy of even the best professional player – Clarke took the ball on his chest outside the area, facing away from goal, and fired a sublime overhead kick into the top corner to stun the JLD.

8) Derwent’s Rugby Domination

Derwent capped off a dominant season in College Rugby with a resounding 64-0 victory over a severly weakened Alcuin side in the final.

Derwent went unbeaten over the course of the tournament, and also beat UYRUFC sides twice over the course of an extremely impressive season before being crowned champions on the 22 acres late last term.

Alcuin were missing several key players through injury and Derwent tore apart their makeshift side, running in a total of 10 trys, including a hat-trick from Jamie Criswell.

Number 8, Alex Littlechild, went over in the dying minutes to take the score to above 60 points, meaning Derwent had recorded their biggest victory of the season in their most important fixture. “The lads have had an outstanding season and deserve all their success” said outgoing captain Tolgar Necar after the game.

7) Great Roses Escape for Men’s Hockey

The umpire signalled for a short corner, barely a minute was left on the clock, and York were trailing by a single second-half Lancaster goal.

The tension mounted, York had piled on the pressure throughout, but failed to score despite a series of previous short corners.

Hugo Christie stood over the ball, then the whistle went. Seconds later the ball hit the back of the net, as Laurie Torrington powerfully drag-flicked into the top corner past the helpless Lancaster ‘keeper.

The players were ecstatic, celebrating jubilantly, before being mobbed by York supporters who invaded the pitch. York had rescued a draw from the depths; a disastrous defeat was turned into scenes of jubilation.

The moment capped off a fine day, which had earlier seen the Men’s 3rd XI record their maiden Roses victory, as well as an excellent win for the Ladies 2nds.

6) MMA-dness

The first ever UK university Mixed Martial Arts match took place between York and Hull in White Rose Varsity, in what was arguably the tournament’s finest hour.

The two sides fought out a brutally captivating draw, winning four fights each. A huge crowd was crammed inside LN/028, creating a deafening atmosphere as the fighters tried to take lumps out of each other.

York won the opening two fights and later led 4-2, only to be denied by a spirited Hull comeback to make the final score 4-4.
The popularity of the match has led to renewed interest in an MMA BUCS league next year, which would significantly boost the sport’s profile.

5) 1st XI Cricket Bowl over York St John

There’s nothing better than demolishing your local rivals, and York’s men did exactly that, enjoying a 206 run triumph over York St John, as, for the second year running, they humbled their local rivals.

Both Tom Brandreth and Fraser Crawford scored majestic centuries to post a mammoth 368-6, which York St John had no reply to. Tom Witherow was arguably the pick of the bowlers, as he claimed three valuable wickets, to help York to a resounding victory and progress in the cup.

4) On (double) top of the World

Some magnificent contests graced the Roses tournament this year, but few trumped the entertainment served up on Friday evening.

Almost all of the opening day’s matches had finished which meant scores of players and supporters crammed themselves into Barker House Farm, home of the pub sports. With the overall Roses scores very close, a perfect cocktail of sporting drama was being prepared.

And so it proved. The playing area was surrounded by fans, mostly from Lancaster, who tried their utmost to put off the York players during their throws. Despite this, York started the best-of-nine match brightly and cruised into a 3-0 lead.

But Lancaster were having none of it and were desperate to avoid an embarrassing defeat. The screams from the Lancaster faithful grew ever louder as Tom Holstath, Nick Hall and even the invincible Alex ‘The Arm’ Harrison fell. The York players had seemingly bottled it in the face of adversity as a cacophonous Lancaster din tore the York players’ nerves to shreds. The score read 4-3 to York.

What came next was a triumph of concentration, determination and Yorkshire pride. Youngster Kris Hilliam hit the double 16 in the deciding leg to shock Lancaster and send York into ecstasy. He was mobbed by his teammates and supporters, to cap a truly dramatic end to the opening day of Roses action.

3) White Rose Triumph

15:36; the exact time when York sealed a one-sided Varsity victory over Hull.

The eventual score was a massacre, as York prevailed by 61.5 points to 21.5. The winning points were sealed in the Men’s Basketball, after a day in which York had completely dominated.

York’s sterling displays throughout the day included the women’s football team, who impressed during a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a wonderful strike from Sam Barker. Aided by large crowds, there was a fantastic atmosphere throughout.

Varsity was a resounding success, with Hull humiliated, demonstrating the superb levels of sport at the University.

2) Patterson stars in the pool

Picture this: As you gaze over the heads of the gathering crowd and survey the panoramic pool, you’ll see the York men’s water polo side putting on an outstanding team display. York emerged victorious.

Lancaster dominated the opening stages; their tank of a striker, Kostalampros, scored early on. Patterson, however, scored twelve overall to spark a pool invasion from those in black and gold.

The top scorer was delighted with his team for giving him numerous opportunities; and chants from the away support such as “we’re a Russell Group uni!” added to a truly memorable evening.

1) Captain Gage Handles the Pressure in Women’s Hockey Cup

The hockey club had a fantastic season with both women’s teams achieving double promotion, and racking up some fantastic victories. However, none can compare to the women’s 1sts’ victory over Durham 3rds.

This would have been a memorable victory on any day; any match that goes to penalties is wrought with excitement. But the outcome of this encounter decided who would progress to the quarter finals of the cup where the winner would face Sheffield Hallam 2nds.

Since they had already knocked out their 1st team, the York ladies were mildly confident. All they had to do was defeat the indomitable Durham 3rds, a team two leagues above.

Durham scored first but the York ladies dug deep and produced some brilliant play. In the second half, they got their reward when a brilliant aerial goal from Jill Mercer made the score at full time 1-1. The result came down to penalties.

Faustino stepped up first but her flick was saved, Lucas and Ormiston slotted their’s home, but Mercer’s was saved. Through ‘keeper Laura Porter’s efforts Durham had scored only two from five.

It came down to the final flick and it was captain Hannah Gage who was to take it. The JLD hushed, the crowd tensed and the players gripped each other in feverish suspense.

The pressure didn’t faze Gage who coolly flicked the ball out of the goalie’s reach. She had done it. The crowd roared and Gage was mobbed by her teammates. It was the best moment of the year, a truly phenomenal occasion.

The team reached the semi-finals, the furthest a team from York has ever progressed, and this season will live long in the memory of those who participated. It truly was a remarkable performance in an outstanding season.