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Photos: Jack Western
In a game that was too close for comfort, York women’s rugby 1sts completed a 24-17 victory against a ruthless and dynamic Hull side.
Going into the match, York’s were feeling confident. Having recently earned promotion, they are now in a league above Hull. Despite this, they faced a number of challenges from a well drilled Hull side. Whereas Hull had already been accustomed to playing together, York had a very new team that had barely had a chance to play this season. Still, they brought their very best and gave us an exhilarating match.
From the very start, it was obvious that York meant business. They put immediate pressure on Hull, with Morven Robertson moving effortlessly through tackles, scoring the opening try in the opening minutes. Although they failed to convert, the play still handed York an early 5-0 lead.
But Hull were keen to show that they were not finished in the match yet. On the contrary, they soon began to show a startling amount of aggression, putting more pressure on York than the visitors were prepared for. They evened the score within minutes and manoeuvred around the defences with very little effort. Even though York did manage to score against the run of play and take a 12-5 lead, it was obvious that Hull were the dominant team at this stage.
In a breathless end to end match both teams found it difficult to gain a meaningful foothold. The moment York scored, Hull would retaliate with a try of their own. By the end of the first half, the score was a fairly equal 12-10, with York holding a narrow lead.
During the second half, Hull were showing no signs of slowing down or tiring. Their offence zoomed past a shaky York defence, pulling into the lead with a score of 12-17, and at this stage they seemed unstoppable. While fans were wondering if York were being too nice, the scene on the field was rather one-sided.
Luckily, this did not last long. In a sudden burst of speed, Mollie Staples pushed through the defences, ending a stalemate in the centre of the field. She reached the try line, levelling the score and putting York back in the game. From then on, the match resembled a war of attrition. What Hull showcased in defensive prowess,York matched with sheer speed. Thulany Kimbugwe, Mollie Staples, and Morven Robertson all showed an ability to get the ball out of a tight spot, and into the open to exploit any vacant space.
But it wasn’t easy. Hull’s strong forwards time and time again tackled players seconds away from scoring. Yet, those same players kept coming back. In the last quarter, the question no longer was which was the dominant team; the question was which team had more endurance and stamina.
That team happened to be York. Robertson, in particular, led the team with her agility and speed. She gave Hull’s defence a run for their money, darting past them for a game-changing five points, with an additional two from a conversion from Elaine Flynn. It was clear at this moment that York were in the ascendancy. They were making plays together; they had figured out which positions worked best for which player; and they were not going to let Hull breach their defences.
The final result, 24-17, was an appropriate one for the match. Both teams played to their strengths, and clearly had the upper hand at various points in the game. However, York’s speed and endurance is what brought them the victory.
After the game, captain Lucy Davies remarked that she “couldn’t be more proud,” adding that in the wake of a significant loss and the cancellation of many games this was a testament to how well the team was playing. Indeed, this comeback was a terrific showcase of talent and a sign of what this new team can achieve in the future.