Yes, it looks as if it all comes down to this. After a bizarre Varsity contest ends on an anti-climatic note with York ultimately failing to put Hull to bed, the outcome of the tournament hinges on one event. Clay Pigeon Shooting. Wednesday.
The circumstances and events which led us here are already shrouded in controversy, and many question why an event was to be played half a week after the supposedly “one day” tournament had finished, and indeed why the event was worth so many points, a whopping twelve, more than all football combined.
However the number of points proved to be academic in the end, with York only managing to stake out a lead of a solitary point over their Hull rivals. The fact remains that it will be the niche sport of clay pigeon shooting which ultimately decides who gets to take home that trophy for real.
The event itself with be split into four composite parts, each of which will be worth three points. York’s narrow lead means they only need to win two or more to retain the Varsity trophy, so effectively a draw is all the shooters need. Hull will be looking to win three out of four to take the victory.
The University of York Shooting Club has traditionally enjoyed little attention from the sporting elites of the University and indeed also by the sports writers of both Nouse and Vision, and they seem to have been glad for it. Whilst the club’s commitment and knowledge of its sport is faultless, it is not a super competitive outfit, with their Wednesday shoots being fairly relaxed, sociable affairs, traditionally ending with a drink in the Deramore Arms.
To then find themselves in the knowledge that the University sporting establishment, many of whom are so often used to being in this kind of limelight, depend on them to secure the Varsity crown, is certainly an unenviable position.
UYSC social secretary and star shooter Jordan Gillies said of the situation: “We have never been a particularly competitive club and have mainly concentrated on getting more people involved in the sport. Many of the team members have not shot a great deal and for a lot of them this is their first competition. There are a couple of talented individuals though and we will of course try our best to bring the trophy home.”