Roses 2012 was a miserable affair for UYAFC, as they suffered defeats in three of the four fixtures, including in the high profile men’s 1sts fixture where York were comfortably beaten 3-1.
To compound the side’s woes, Lancaster’s success earned them the points which secured the Carter-James Trophy for the Red Rose, sparking jubilant celebrations, which contrasted with the disconsolate York players.
This year the side are out to avenge the misery of 2012, and UYAFC President Tom Day told Vision: “Last year UYAFC did not perform to the level we were capable of. This year we are going to put that right.”
Last year was a troubled one for the men’s 1sts which culminated in relegation, but this year they have put their woes behind them, only missing out on promotion on the basis of head-to-head rivalry with Leeds Met, whilst prevailing in both Varsity and the County Cup.
On the back of a successful season, the side go into Roses 2013 full of confidence. “There is a great atmosphere in the club at the moment which stems from the momentum we gained over the course of the season,” said Day. “We go in to the Roses clash with the upmost respect for Lancaster, but we have nothing to fear. Our club is full of talented and hardworking players who are more than capable of defeating Lancaster -that is our aim and that is what we will do.”
York will be hoping that their key players perform on the biggest occasion of the season, and one of those is nimble winger Dan Atherton, who has scored in the previous two Roses encounters. Day also noted the threat posed by Tom Brandreth and Captain Matt Mawdesley at set pieces, adding “these lads will win anything in the air, and are always a threat in the opposition’s area.”
Lancaster have also enjoyed a successful season, finishing second in their division, which is the equivalent level to York’s, suggesting that the two teams will be well matched, and that an absorbing contest lies ahead in Sunday’s clash at 3:30pm.
Indeed last year this very fixture was the one that sealed the fate of Roses, and for UYAFC there would be nothing sweeter than the exact same happening this year, but with the roles reversed. 2012 was turbulent for York, 2013 could well be glorious, and a Roses victory would round off a successful campaign for the side.