Adam Shergold - Best Sport Contributor - Nouse

Season’s best earns first hockey point Perfect dozen for rugby ‘invincibles’ as title is secured in Durham draw UNIVERSITY OF YORK FIRSTS 1 vs. UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM SECONDS 1

UNIVERSITY OF YORK FIRSTS 31 vs. UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS SECONDS 24

Seventy minutes of gripping hockey delivered York’s cherished first point of the campaign but, in truth, they desperately deserved so much more. With Captain Billy Walsh leading by example, the home team belied their lacklustre performances at times this year to outplay Durham, establishing a first-half advantage they just couldn’t quite cling on to. In a spell of intense pressure at the death, the visitors nearly snatched away everything York had toiled for. It would have been an intolerable injustice.

Northumbria, Huddersfield, Hull, Teesside, Sheffield, and now Leeds. Like skittles they have all fallen before the York colossus this season. The rugby firsts completed their flawless season on Wednesday, overcoming their White Rose neighbours 31-24 in the toughest test yet to stylishly wrap up the BUCS Northern Conference 2B title. Captain Mike Callis, who led by example in this engrossing game, had certainly earned his celebratory swigs from the champagne bottle.

BUCS Northern Conference 2B, Wednesday 18th February 2009

This was absorbing university sport, played before a drizzle-defying crowd by a unique cast. Walsh, entertainingly bullish and with veins throbbing red, made it his God-avowed intent to cover every sodden inch of the JLD and, at times, resembled a doomed General ascending the parapet into the quagmire at the Somme, facing a downpour of rain and bullets. His foot soldiers followed his lead: Richard Larkin on the right flank marched back and forward, Rob Newton at sweeper, his blonde hair sodden, marshalled the reinforcements, while Richard de Boltz, much more than the faded glories of Roses 2008 harassed and harangued the Durham defence. Why this team, with performances like this afternoon’s, lie half-dead at the foot of the table beats me. York started with energy and ambition: the forward movement funnelled through Walsh in the advanced midfield pivot role, forcing the Durham goalkeeper into a couple of early blocks. York’s efficient ball retention was a defining memory of the first period, knocking the ball around with assurance against the promotion-chasers, particularly in the defensive diamond of Newton, Larkin, Andy McIlroy and Mike Giblin. Durham’s hockey strength-in-depth is best illustrated by having two teams in this league and this particular outfit were nifty on the counter-attack and adroit at conning the set-piece. One of these resulted in a goalmouth scramble, with goalkeeper Sam Harriman blocking low down from a rebounded shot, and they would regularly test York’s resolve and organisation by skimming balls across the face of goal. But Durham lacked the cutting edge and all their attacks were picked off with consummate ease. Meanwhile, on 26 minutes, York stunned their opponents by making their mark at the other end with a wonderfully uplifting moment amid a gloomy state of affairs. A short corner was worked to Walsh, who trapped and pinged the ball with pace into the area. De Boltz, practically spread-eagled on the unforgiving surface, reacted with precise timing to deflect his skipper’s effort home and open the scoring. It was quickly evident after the half-time interval that Durham wouldn’t handle the possibility of an upset well. They grew in stature and motored through the spare gears, tapping the throttle from time to time to test York’s hitherto impeccable defensive focus. Harriman was required five minutes in to parry away a sighter, while Larkin positioned himself intelligently to deflect another effort to safety. The equaliser arrived shortly afterwards and it had been coming. The manner of its arrival did little to calm Walsh’s blood pressure and he reacted in theatrically stick-slamming fashion. After a misplaced pass, an irritant feature of York’s game that had started to creep in, triggered a rapid Durham break down the right, the ball was neatly squared and blazed high into the net from close range. The tension hung heavy in the moist air, the match very much in the balance now. York flexed muscles and clenched sticks defiantly and roared forward into the breach once more. Dan Alden disappointingly culminated a flowing attack by shooting into the goalkeeper’s midriff. Walsh smacked another short-corner into the forest of defensive legs, before aiming another chance wide. Mark Inman couldn’t find a way through, his drilled effort taking a deflection to loop agonisingly over the crossbar. In York’s best spell of the match, would their redemption ever arrive? Durham replied firmly in the negative and insatiably pushed forward, seeking late heartbreak. The crowd observed in hushed anxiety, if they could bear to watch at all. In the fading seconds and the fading light, a final opportunity fell to Durham but Harriman cleared, somehow. When the final whistle sounded, York reacted to the strange sensation of crushing disappointment mixed with relief, but at the same time rightfully overshadowed with immense pride in this showing. Speaking to Nouse after the match, Walsh said: “It was a good performance. The first-half was some of the best hockey that I have seen played at the University of York. Slick, efficient, composed and with a cutting edge. We knew the second-half was going to be tough. They came out at us and it was such a tough half. A 1-1 draw was probably a fair result in the end, but given the chances we had I thought we could probably have snatched it.” Identifying the team’s influential players, Walsh added: “The whole team played fantastically, so it is hard to pick out individual performances. Sam Harriman in goal made some incredible saves. Jamie Harbour showed great versatility and commitment in the defence and midfield. Richard Larkin played well at right-back and Niko Bode worked very hard in the forward line.” Looking towards the future, he said: “This result proved that we can still stay up in this league. Durham are the best team we play and we out-played them for at least half of the match. I’m proud of the team, but we need to keep working to stay up.” York Line-up: Sam Harriman, Richard Larkin, Andy McIlroy, Rob Newton, Mike Giblin, Andy Harris, Richard de Boltz, Billy Walsh (c), Niko Bode, Mark Inman, Dan Alden

BUCS Northern Conference 2B, Wednesday 18th March 2009

In their 12 victories, the team have accumulated 460 points, which is 121 more than second-placed Leeds, who lagged behind by some 15 points in the final reckoning. This has not been so much a plain title win, more complete and utter domination. The team’s free-flowing brand of rugby has been refreshing to watch all season. Callis commented to Nouse after the final whistle: “I’m overjoyed at this golden moment for York University rugby club and so proud of everyone in the team. It’s been a pleasure to captain this firsts side, whose commitment has never once faltered and this showed through once more against Leeds today.” Just for a moment though, the perfect record was in jeopardy. The ten minutes after the half-time break were probably York’s worst ten minutes of the entire season as Leeds scored twice, momentarily taking a two-point lead on a sun-bathed 22 Acres, before normal service was resumed. A 30-yard Rob Grant drop-goal made absolutely sure in the nervous final moments, to universal relief. Coach Alec Porter could finally uncork the bubbly. York had started the encounter meaning business; in only the second minute, Callis pilfered possession from a lazy line-out throw and scorched 20 metres down the left-flank to ground the ball in the corner for 5-0, Grant’s conversion slightly astray. A flurry of penalties followed, awarded by a referee who was sometimes a little over-zealous in penalising the home side, but all three (one York, two Leeds) were wasted. On the quarter-hour, Leeds were punished for failing to get on the scoreboard as Gryff Jones finished off a move crafted by Rupert Grant’s clever break through the centre to double the lead to ten. At this point in time, York were superior in every facet of the game: stealing line-out ball time after time, moving the ball through the ranks crisply and embarrassing the Leeds scrum. When Nick Brown touched down in the right corner, the latter point was beautifully illustrated as York’s power in the scrum manoeuvred Leeds’ pack back some 25 metres for another five points. Grant couldn’t find his range once more, but this was already looking like a stroll in the spring sunshine. On the half-hour, prolific try-scorer Tom Weir notched another, stretching the lead to 22-0, again through prowess in the scrum. Seconds before half-time, Leeds finally made an impression, gliding through a rare chasm in the centre of York’s defence to reduce the deficit. However, given York’s performance to this point, the try appeared innocuous enough on the balance of the game. These impressions of harmlessness were misplaced. York’s focus at the start of the second period remained in the huddle and Leeds capitalised with two quick-fire scores within ten horrendous minutes, bringing them to within a point with conversions unerringly accurate. When Weir was sin binned on the hour, a Leeds penalty nudged them in front at 24-22. Trailing in league matches isn’t something York are used to and they weren’t going to stand for it here. They roused themselves for one, final push for that invincible season and, following some patient kicking, replacement James Stone, who can’t remember the last competitive try he scored, rounded off a seemingly endless move, involving literally the entire team, and Grant’s kick planted York back in front. The involvement of the whole team was apt, reflecting the collective spirit evident all season. With injury time dragging on and Leeds wrestling back the bulk of possession, Grant’s drop-goal was a necessary moment of mercy for the assembled spectators. “After all this drama, the final whistle was one of the happiest moments of my life. In an instant, all the trials and tribulations, aches and pains, highs and lows of the season just ebbed away, but I found myself just too exhausted to properly enjoy it,” added Callis. “In sport, winning championships is standard for many. Winning championships without having to suffer the indignity of defeat is another thing entirely. That’s why I’m so impressed with how the team have maintained such consistent high standards all season.” “Minds must now be switched to Roses, however. There’s no point winning twelve from twelve but then losing to Lancaster, we would regret that forever. It’s definitely the highlight of the weekend, so let’s have a big crowd and some vocal support behind us.” York Line-up: 1. Ben Innes, 2. James Stone, 3. Rupert Grant, 4. Rob Handy, 5. Mike Callis (c), 6. Jack Wakeling, 7. Rory McGregor, 8. Tom Weir, 9. Tim Walker, 10. Rob Grant, 11. Nick Brown, 12. Dave Lowe, 13. Gryff Jones, 14. Peter Nathan, 15. Tom Buggé

Spotlight on York Trampolining club Sunday 24th May 2009 It was becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate on the conversation I was having. Apologies, Marion, but the spectacle in my peripheral vision was too enticing. Without warning, a figure soared to a height exceeding 20ft, executed the splits in mid-air, semi-twisted on the descent and, with legs gracefully outstretched, plunged onto the mat in a sitting position without a care in the world. Another figure scaled still greater heights, his ascent magnificently amplified by the line of mirrors in the Dance Studio, before flipping twice at the zenith and dropping gracefully onto the bed. “Oh, they’re just going through their warm-up routines,” I’m told casually. Strewth. Marion Nutter, President of the University of York Trampolining Club, surveys the chaotic scene. It’s hard not to be taken in my this little club, who meet almost covertly in this windowless, dimly-lit nook of the Sports Centre four times a week for a bounce and some banter. Given the obstacles they have faced this year, it’s a wonder they’re here at all. “We had made the travel arrangements for Nottingham; all the train tickets were booked,” Nutter said. “Three days before the competition – remember this was the BUCS Nationals, the highlight of our year – we found out we were in a different region and we had to go to Edinburgh instead. Someone at York Sport hadn’t relayed the message.” And so they missed out, through a mix-up in communications. What’s more, getting to Nottingham had swallowed most of their yearly budget, meaning plans to invest in coach training and new equipment were shelved. It’s tough being a small fish. Yet the club are remarkably relaxed about the situation, buoyed perhaps by pride in their performance at Roses the other week. “We had six competitors. Then, Lancaster rolled up with 24. We only finished two points behind in the end. You can understand why I’m so proud of everyone,” beamed Nutter, one of the few first-year Presidents. Everyone performed two routines, tailored to their abilities across three categories: novice, intermediate and advanced. Within each routine, ten moves were selected from a vast catalogue of possibilities, all of which demand an awareness of your body’s limits not necessary in many sports. I attempt some of the beginner’s moves: the seat drop, the half-twist, even the full twist, but God obviously economised on the athletic grace when he created Adam Shergold. Yet, even this five minute taster of a sport which uniquely fuses together aspects of dance, gymnastics and ballet was enormous fun, an unexpected liberation. It takes no time at all to learn the basics, especially in this small club environment, where tuition from dedicated, volunteer coaches is tailored, progressive and pretty much one-on-one. The evolution through the various ability levels is at your own pace, and evident on my visit. Beginners, acquainted with a trampoline for mere days and weeks, race through the manoeuvres they have learned, encouraged by the tutoring and the safety of the crash mats. Feet away, the more advanced take full advantage of ropes and harnesses, suspended from the ceiling, to hone their flipping and somersaulting skills, encouraged by friendly fellow members. Alongside them, the well-practiced fine tune skilled routines for the sprinkling of friendly tournaments York take part in throughout the year, demonstrating an array of aerobic moves with consummate ease and elegance. However, as I’m regularly reminded, they too have started from scratch, and not as long ago as some might think. Towards the end of the two hours, some members attempt the holy grail of trampolining: the perfectly synchronised routine. Their efforts collapse in fits of giggles, but it’s another example of the enjoyment everyone here feels, manifested further in the club’s all-action socials (bowling, swimming, karting – all this year) four times each term. I give you trampolining then. More exciting than yoga, more fun than aerobics – yet possessing all the leg-toning, arm-stretching, life-affirming qualities. All for £1.50 a session. Why not take advantage of the reduced York Sport membership at the moment and give it a try?