An experimental UYRUFC side scrapped their way to a 12-5 victory over the College Barbarians in an error-strewn encounter on 22 Acres.
The game was typical of early season in that it stuttered along thanks to numerous fumbles and moments of uncertainty produced by two sides who have been clearly short of time to gel.
It looked for a while as if the game would be dominated by UYRUFC – they started by far the better and took the lead after around five minutes through Matt Thorpe, but the Barbarians grew into the game and often looked equal to their University opponents in attack. A Hugo Marino try before half-time gave them hope of an upset but a single UYRUFC try in the second period was enough to ensure the victory.
The University side was unsurprisingly heavy on freshers with new first team captain Sam Lord looking out for any talent which could benefit the top side, and they started well, putting the Barbarians under a sustained period of pressure from the off.
The men in pink were camped inside their own 22 for much of the opening 20 minutes, and found themselves 7-0 down after just five when Matt Thorpe drove over following a quickly taken tap penalty. Ed Harris added the extras.
UYRUFC were unable to capitalise further on their territory however. The Barbarians defended well and a number of handling errors meant the uni side lacked penetration.
They were made to pay when the Barbarians produced a superb try from nowhere to make it 7-5.
Muzzy Foley burst through the UYRUFC defence from deep in his own half and offloaded to Phil Hammick. They spread the ball wide in the next phase, and with men over, Collins gave the ball to Hugo Marino who ran in for a simple finish.
The try really brought the Barbarians back into the game, and they were looking a match for UYRUFC when the whistle went for half-time.
The uni side started the second period as they had the first, on the front foot, but again couldn’t convert pressure into points. An excellent clearing kick from Marinus Maris got the college side out of trouble before Sonny Dewfall won turnover ball in the UYRUFC line-out to set up a Barbarians attack which eventually came to nothing.
As the half drew on the superior fitness of the University side, who have been training for a few weeks longer than the College sides, came into play. They finally widened the gap in the scoring when they exploited their numbers wide left to touch down in the corner, and could have scored again late on only for Liam Haeburn-Little to hold the ball up to ensure it stayed at 12-5.