Roses is the highlight of the sporting year at York for nearly all clubs, and that applies to UYHC as much as anyone. The hockey club has a fine Roses record and will be looking to continue its successes of recent years in 2013, as York welcome their Red Rose opponents to the JLD.
After a slow start to the campaign which left the side in danger of relegation in BUCS, York’s men’s 2nds enjoyed a significant resurgence after Christmas which saw the team put together a fine run of form.
“We came back very strong after the Christmas break,” Captain James Hope told Vision. “We are still in contention for promotion in Yorkshire league and we have been unbeaten in our last 6 BUCS games, saving ourselves from relegation and giving us great momentum going into Roses 2013.”
Last year York were defeated 3-2 in a tight encounter, but after their recent run of form, the side are confident going into this year’s Roses contest. “We are all feeling very good ahead of Roses this year,” added defender Hope. “We play our best hockey on the JLD and our home record this season shows this. To be able to win this year we will just need to keep hold of the ball, be patient and be clinical when the chances come.”
There are numerous talented individuals in the team including fresher Sam Richardson and next year’s captain Dom Munns, but Hope believes that it could be the experienced duo of Sam Unsworth and Jambo Talbot who prove crucial in the heat of the contest.
The Ladies 2nds also possess a blend of experience and youth, as the ever reliable Nina Rawlings and freshers Hermione Warmington and Emily Arter look set to be key players for the side against Lancaster.
Despite struggling for numbers at times during the season, the side have performed admirably, finishing in comfortable mid-table slots in both BUCS and their Yorkshire League. Captain Harriet Mills told Vision: “We’ve had a successful year, and beating Lancaster at Roses would be a great ending to a great season.”
“Last year at Roses we had an easy win against Lancaster and I see no reason why we can’t thrash them again this year if we play the way we have been playing,” added Mills. “We have a lot of new players in the team this year and have worked hard and produced some stunning hockey.”
The men’s 3rds were also victorious last year, prevailing over Lancaster for the first time since 1997, in a game which rounded off a brilliant season. This year has been more challenging as it has taken time to integrate a host of new players into the side, but the closing months of the season have been encouraging as performances and results have improved.
“It’s been a turbulent season and we’ve had our ups and downs, but we have really begun to find our form towards the end of the season,” Captain Declan Hall told Vision: “I’m confident that my players have the commitment to give it their all, and that we should play our best on the day.”
Hall pointed to the experienced combination of Robin Willows and Rob Smith in midfield as integral players for his side. The duo have been instrumental for the side on a number of occasions over the season, and will be looking to end their seasons on a high with victory over the Red Rose.
All three matches will be played on the JLD on Saturday, starting with the Men’s 3rds at 9:30, and culminating in the Ladies’ and Men’s 1st team fixtures, for which previews will be released at a later date.