ROSES COVERAGE P.4

RUGBY DEFEAT FOR YORK

LOSS FOR YORK AT ROSES 2022’S LAST GAME OF THE TOURNAMENT

BY MEGAN BARTLEY YORK LANCASTER

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SUNDAY AFTERNOON SAW one of the most bitter games of the whole weekend. York’s Rugby players walked out to a very aggressive Lancaster crowd, shouting abuse, attempting to shove the players, and throwing beer on them.

The game began well for York, securing a penalty kick six minutes, making the score 3-0 to York. Things were looking up, but unfortunately it would not last.

The first half saw a lot of inIMAGE: LUKE SNELL tense midfield play, these teams were very well matched, and it made for a very exciting watch.

After many strong drives, they managed to get a try and conversion half way through the first half, putting the score at 3-6, with Lancaster in the lead.

The ball was kicked from midfield again and a series of clumsy tackles from both teams gave Lancaster a successful penalty kick, putting the score at 3-8.

After this, York played with a really strong attack during the last ten minutes of the first half. York’s Ashdown secured the scrum in Lancaster’s half, driving towards the try line. York’s number 13 (confusingly called Lancaster) pushed through Lancaster’s defence and scored a try for York, and after a successful conversion York were in the lead at 10-8.

The last five minutes of the first half saw a lot of strong attack from Lancaster, winning a scrum, and pushing towards York’s line.

With 17 seconds left before half time, York missed a crucial throw in. Lancaster kicked it down the pitch and picked it up, scoring a try in the last second of the first half. It was just as the clock stopped for the first half and thrilled the Lancaster dominated crowd, who burst out in deafening cheers of support.

Though the clock stopped Lancaster secured a successful conversion, meaning that at half time the scores stood at York 10, Lancaster 13.

After a fairly strong first half, York found themselves going into the second half in a weakened position.

There was a strong fight put up in mid field, York had a fair number of collapsed scrums 3 minutes into the second half, meaning they gave the ball away a few times. Lancaster secured a throw in and York battled for their ball. Five minutes in the score remained the same.

York’s play did not seem to improve even after Hind and Van Kan went off. On the pitch, Lancaster secured the scrum, and the ball mainly stayed in midfield.

Lancaster ran it into York’s half ten minutes into the second half of the game. After a Lancaster throw in which they secured, then successfully scored a try, making the score 17-10 to Lancaster. The conversion led to a 20-10 lead for Lancaster.

York resumed with the ball but it went to Lancaster. After some back and forth midfield including a free kick for York, the ball went to Lancaster who were attempting to secure a try. The shouts from the Lancaster crowd were accompanied by a trumpet rallying the home team.

Lancaster were then in York’s half, working hard to get through York’s strong defence. Lancaster’s 18 made a drive but was tackled, Lancaster consistently attempted to drive the ball in. 24 minutes from the end of the game player 10 secured a penalty goal for Lancaster, making the score 23-10.

The ball then returned to the midfield, and after some back and forth play, York made many solid drives into Lancaster’s half, but an unfortunate fumble of the ball hindered York’s chances. The Yorkshire player received lots of abuse from the rowdy and aggressive Lancaster crowd.

With a quarter of the game to go, York’s 13 made an incredibly successful drive towards the try line, but York were struggling to make it through Lancaster’s strong defence.

After a scrum in which York succeeded, a drive was made but player 10 dropped it just before the line. Tensions were incredibly high, with York determined to get a try.

Another scrum led to York with the ball, and after an immense effort, York secured a try right under the post just on the line. It was a particularly impressive show of attack from York, and after a successful conversion they brought the score up to 2317 to Lancaster.

With 15 minutes to go, and the sidelines packed with Lancaster supporters, York were feeling the pressure. After a Lancaster player was taken off by the medics, reportedly bleeding from the ears, the heated game resumed.

Lancaster had the ball in York’s half 10 minutes until the end of the game, making a great drive and securing a try. It was successfully converted making the score 30-17.

York refused to go down without a fight though and maintained their determination until the end. Lancaster’s 9 made a very strong drive into York’s half, but York’s defence refuted their attempts to score a try.

Within the last five minutes York’s attack was very strong, pushing through the defence and putting everything into their drives.

The ball then went to York’s end, with Lancaster trying to power through in the last 30 seconds.

In the last ten seconds, in an incredible effort from York’s attack they secured a final try. Though the clock had stopped, the game had not, and York managed to up the score to 3024 right at the end of the game.

It was a brutal afternoon for men’s York Rugby with a fierce crowd and bitterly competitive game. Many players refused to comment to Vision at the end, but the referee said it was a “great game, both showed great ambition but the stronger team won.” He also felt it was a “fair game,” yet Tom, a member of the Rugby committee noted some “unfortunate” decisions from the referee but he “can’t fault their [Lancaster’s] effort”.

It was a tough game for York’s Rugby, but the men pushed to the very end and their determination must be commended.

TIGHT COMPETITION FOR CHEERLEADING

BY EMILY SINCLAIR

AS ONE OF the last events of Roses 2022, competitive cheerleading took place in Lancaster’s newest sports hall. The event was flooded with supporters from both sides, with a row of judges assessing both the York Hornets and Lancaster Roses. After an incredibly tight competition, Lancaster took the win 3-2, yet the atmosphere was positive throughout and proved to be a great afternoon.

First to the floor was York’s level three stunt group, Venom, cheered on by incredible team spirit from the rest of the Hornets: “lets go Hornets, let’s go”. Demonstrating some impressive skills from toe touch jumps to the flyer holding an arabesque, the team did themselves proud. Despite not securing a win, Venom remained smiling throughout and looked happy after the routine.

After Lancaster’s level three group, York’s level two stunt group, ‘Sting’, took to the stage. Securing first position, the group did a spectacular job, remaining calm and confident throughout the routine. The teamwork and communication on and off the mat was superb.

With a short break from competition for both Lancaster and York to showcase some routines purely for entertainment, supporters remained enthusiastic as large smiles and laughter filled the room. The atmosphere was electric as the teams demonstrated choreographed dance and stunts.

Judged on skill level and performance execution, cheerleading is a sport with a lot more intensity and technicality than most would think, with supporters often commenting on how “stressful” routines were. York’s level two ‘Black’ team, ‘Pom’ team and ‘Pom Duo’ all pulled off grand routines, continuing to play to the crowd, demonstrating their confidence, and displaying the skills they’d been working on.

The final big win for York was Hornets’ all girl level one team, ‘Gold’, who executed a high level routine with minimal mistakes, securing them first place. It was aesthetically pleasing and impressive to watch as the Hornets put everything they had into the routine. They deserved the win.

Despite not taking an overall win, York Hornets gave the Lancaster Roses a tough competition and the positive friendly yet still competitive atmosphere within the sports hall was a highlight of the weekend.