As the Final action of Roses 2026, the Men’s Rugby 1s did not disappoint, providing an excellent spectacle and some much needed joy for York on an otherwise disappointing weekend.
In front of a hostile home crowd the Rams showed their calm and temperament to block out the noise and produce an impressive display of attacking rugby.
York started the game fast scoring in the corner, after a matter of minutes, and despite missing the conversion, rarely looked back. After ill- discipline by Lancaster reduced them to 14 men and allowed York to extend their lead to 8-0, Lancaster hit back from a driving maul with their lineout an area of key strength.
However, their relative parity at 8-7 was short- lived, with a beautiful running line allowing York to cut through the Lancaster defence from fifty metres out. At 15-7, and with momentum clearly with the Rams they once again crossed the whitewash, this time from a driving maul. While another missed conversion and a try from Lancaster, completely against the run of play, made the score 20-12 going into half- time York’s dominance was clear.
The tone set by the first half was the same in the second, with York crossing for another try, this time from short range, after a maul brought a period of concentrated pressure on the Lancaster line.
Lancaster did have something to shout about though, scoring what was the try of the weekend. After their scrum half made a dart through the York line from a tap penalty, he passed basketball style inside to his fly half who jinked back across the pitch before kicking a sublime chip into the corner for the chasing winger to dive gratefully upon.
York hit back through an attacking set play, with their fullback stepping his opposite number to dot down and take the score to 32-19. This was quickly followed by another excellent try, with the Rams going the length of the pitch to capitalise on Lancaster’s defensive fragilities.
While Lancaster crossed in the dying seconds of the game, it was merely a consolation, having been outclassed by a better drilled outfit. The final score of 39-24 flattered the hosts and while it was much too little too late for York’s Roses hopes the contest helped restore pride, giving York fans something to celebrate.