Last year, Varsity returned to the York Sport calendar after a long absence, but quickly reminded us of why it was dropped in the first place. York St. John failed to provide adequate competition and limped back across the city with a 91-19 defeat, which left many of York’s sportsmen and women feeling unchallenged and dissatisfied.
This year, the competition has been rebranded “The White Rose Varsity”. York St. John, who have never won a Varsity or even come close, will not be involved, and York face a much more formidable foe: the University of Hull.
A new trophy has even been crafted; it features a glass rose adorning a silver plinth, and is sufficiently impressive; York Sport President Sam Asfahani described it as “sexy”.
York will fancy their chances of ensuring that the said alluring trophy will stay on home soil; the 22 Acres pitches are known in sporting circles as “Fortress 22”, due to the sports teams’ impressive home records.
Support from York students will be vital if “Fortress 22” is to maintain any sort of impenetrability; 700 are expected to travel from Hull, and the support of Hull’s fellow team-mates may create a prickly atmosphere for York, and perhaps rivalry for home fans and their chants.
Hull’s travellers will be housed in crash accommodation in the exhibition centre, and will be encouraged to add themselves to those already attending Club D, which has now received the additional branding of “The Official Varsity After-Party”.
Club D is traditionally one of the biggest events of the year on campus, and, in spite of the tournament continuing into Sunday, the added patronage of the visitors will undoubtedly provide a greater sense of atmosphere for this exciting new competition.