A second half onslaught from Derwent College Rugby brought about a comprehensive victory over their illustrious opponents UYRUFC 3rds. The Blue’s backs trio Charlie Clark, Ed Kemp and Jamie Criswell all crossed the line to complete the whitewash.
With University of York 3rd team’s match with Sunderland 2nd being cancelled, UYRUFC 3rds invited College Rugby Premier side, Derwent to challenge them once again on 22 acres.
The first rugby match to be played on 22 acres since the snow was a repeat of a fixture last term where the College side had surprisingly overcome their senior opponents 13-5.
Propelled with a first half wind, University fly half Cameron Craig kicked off proceedings in a well-attended match on both sides.
His side had an early chance to go ahead in the match, as they won a penalty 20 metres out from the blue’s posts, however Kristian Elgheim sliced his kick wide.
The Norwegian was one of his side’s strong runners, and he nearly made amends for his miss with a dart for the line from a University backs move. Carrying his team, Henry Guest was on hand with the covering tackle.
Derwent settled and made use of the possession when they had it. The Blues, led by pack leader Tolga Necar, sucked their opponents into the contact area, but were short on the initiative at the crucial stages to pass it out wide, as when they did they made ground.
Under pressure, UYRUFC3rd would clear their lines using the boots of Aaron Rolph or Cameron Craig to launch the ball downfield. Derwent backs were in place to run the ball back, and in Ed Kemp and Dom Munns the blue’s were able to regain the ground.
Both sides went into half-time at zero points apiece, and the game very much in a balance. However, an early try in the second half changed all this. Derwent with the wind behind them won the ball back immediately from the kick-off.
Fly-half Oliver Wessely kicked into the space behind the defensive line, the bounce fell kindly to team-mate Alex Littlechild who offloaded to winger Charlie Clark who under pressure made it to the line. Wessely was on hand to notch the extras.
With the momentum as well as the wind behind them, Derwent soon added further points on to the board. Oscar Wimshurst, who was playing at outside centre, distributed the ball magnificently out wide to Charlie Clark.
The speedy winger swallowed the ball up and went over for his second in five minutes. UYRUFC 3rds were left reeling from a damaging Derwent spell.
It was to get worse for the Black and Gold’s. Within his own half, Richard Whittaker delayed his pass beautifully for Freddy Harris checked run. The College Rugby President ran through and unselfishly fed Ed Kemp who went under the posts, Wessely slotted the resulting conversion to push the score to 19-0.
UYRUFC 3rd responded playing the ball in hand off the ruck and made considerable ground up the field, Sam Carr-Archer breaking through the line on a number of occasions. However, the University fightback soon faded. The fresh-legged Jamie Criswell capped the Blue victory running in to score as energy levels dwindled.
The victory, although just a friendly, marked an encouraging sign to all of College Rugby. Alcuin winger, Liam Haeburn-Little waslater quoted in saying the victory is a ‘great testament to college rugby’.
Derwent Rugby Captain Necar having agreed for his team to play the match at late notice said: ‘We’re always happy to play a challenging match, and the 3rds gave us just that’ But later went on to quip; ‘After two consecutive victories, we’re expecting delivery of their jerseys any day now’.
UYRUFC 3rds face a must-win game against University of Leeds 4ths side next week, while Derwent College welcome the return of the ‘Old Boy’s’ in their next fixture.