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Photos: Oliver Todd
A strong UYRUFC side put the College Barbarians to the sword running in nine tries as they won 53-7.
The match arranged by the powers of University rugby drew a large crowd. BarBars Vice Captain, Benj Brummitt kicked off the spectacle. The University side sporting some players who had beaten Hull 1st in midweek, started the match better.
Uni Fly Half Tomasz Chadwick, having kicked his side into the opposing half, picked up a loose ball from the floor, not using his wing Aaron Rolph, he ran in the first of the day’s tries. Dusting himself off, the fly half kicked the extras.
Chadwick, arriving in York from the docklands of Liverpool, was taking initiative in the game. His angled kicking pushed the BarBars back into their own half again from the restart. The phase that followed saw his short pass in midfield find the Uni lock Greg Walsh trundle unopposed to the line. Chadwick kicked the simple conversion to make it 14-0 within 10 first half minutes.
A Harry Pampiglione knock-on from the restart allowed the BarBars to finally set themselves in the opposing half. The pink shirts strung a number of phases together, Langwith representative Marinus Maris and Derwent’s Ed Kemp combined to make decent ground.
Just as Fresher supporters were starting to question ‘which team was who?’, another clever Chadwick kick, which was brought over the line by BarBars’ Tom Prifti, allowed Hugh Drewcott to score from the resulting 5-metre scrum.
A further try though the University prop George Wiscon just before half time pushed UYRUFC into an unassailable 26 point lead.
The second half began with the Uni team dominating the territory yet again but a more cohesive defensive line from the BarBars pushed them back. The College underdogs were suffering injuries in key areas and with their lax summer fitness regime came an inevitable Uni try. The replacement fly half stepping inside to score, however he was unable to add any extras.
Despite a spirited defensive display from a Chris West-captained Barbarian team, the Uni players were able to add two further tries against their tiring opposition. Full back Feargus McCallister and substitute winger Gabriel Adebiyi getting in on the tries as they pushed the score to 43-0.
The College Barbarians were eventually to score, Alex Wilson powering himself to the line from a quick tapped penalty. It was a try that the team in pink had merited and Alex Muntus successfully slotted the conversion.
They were denied the final say on the game as the fresh-legged Adebiyi danced to a late double in the final stages to score a second half hat-trick and conclude the contest.
Sam Asfahani, York Sport President and BarBars no 8, praised his side’s display given the relatively short time College Rugby has been in existence.
“I am happy that York Sport is willing to support the College system, University teams arranging friendlies like today only helps develop the college sides and it will provide more competitive teams at both levels.”
It was a compliment to the College side that UYRUFC put out a strong side. James Faktor, First Team Captain, overseeing the fixture was on hand to praise both sides.
“Our team have been working hard on fitness for the last 3 weeks and it was plain to see today in the result. It was great to play college rugby and I was happy to see some of our players showing huge promise already.”
UYRUFC trials are held on Sunday 16th October on 22 acres at 2pm. All players are welcome to come along.
College Rugby season kicks off on Sunday 23rd October with Halifax playing defending champions Derwent, and Goodricke will be pitted against James.