Why would anyone want to stand on the sidelines of a battered rugby pitch in the middle of a north eastern housing estate on a Saturday afternoon? While the rest of the country baked in April sunshine, Sunderland appeared to have a climate of its own. The chilly winds battered everyone who was there to watch York RUFC First XV take on Sunderland for a place in North 2 East Division.
 | | York RUFC's Billy Cakaunitabu |
"We're hard core women" said some of the female supporters of York RUFC. Who says that rugby is a man's game? Most of these women had supported husbands or sons who played for this club. Me, well I just like my rugby. Dad used to always encourage us to watch it at home when we were growing up. So here I was, freezing to death on the sidelines with hundreds of York supporters, who’d made this special journey. I was beginning to realise what it’s like to be a hardened supporter... My fingers were numb, I had too few clothes on and there weren't even any facilities where we could go and shelter. This was for real - there was nowhere to hide. The camaraderie of team sport was truly shown at this match on Saturday. It reminded me of my days of playing netball at school. Every weekend was spent travelling all over the county to represent my team and county. I admire anyone who plays sport week in week out. The parents who drive their children everywhere to play their sport. The men and women who work in the clubhouse, prepare the ground, do the teas - they're the unsung heroes of sport. Match report I spent the game keeping the sports team at BBC Radio York up to date with the changes in score. York got off to a good start with a great try from one of the Fijians, Rob Kama, and converted by Neil McClure. The shock to the side was when their captain, Jon Sharpe, had to be carried off early on with a knee injury. The team had to regroup and work hard for what was to be a memorable victory. There was never much in it and going into the second half, York led by two points. It was cold, it was tough and York had to give their all. The big shock came when Sunderland, who really kept up the pressure, broke through to score a try. For the York fans there was a belief that this was the end. No one could have imagined what was going to happen one minute from time.
 | | York RUFC |
We were cold and disheartened, but still there to shout the team on. And then what seemingly out of nowhere came a pass from Kay to Ventress, to Sam Arkle to Billy Calkbuatabula, who seemed to run at least a quarter of the pitch before scoring a magnificent winning try. I don't think we could believe what we saw, Billy Calkbuatabula just did what he does best, ducking and diving to make the line. The reaction from the York fans was electric... you’d have thought the team had won the Rugby World Cup. It took me back to the Telstra Stadium in Sydney that wet night in November 2003 when Jonny Wilkinson got the drop goal which won the World Cup for England. I was very privileged to be there in the ground and I felt equally privileged to have witnessed York's historic win - which seemed against the odds. Saturday made me realise that anyone who plays team sport - at whatever age - has something very very special: a support like nothing else. York is losing some of its key players this year but I have no doubt the team will rebuild and face the challenge of a new division. After 12 years of training twice a week and playing every Saturday, Ian Davies, aka Wookie, has decided to step down. There are other players also leaving York - I wish them good luck as I'm sure do the rest of the supporters and team mates. York RUFC have another big match coming up as they take on Pontefract in the Yorkshire Shield Final. Could this be another sweet victory? I’ll keep my fingers crossed. I love the Internationals but Saturday made me realise that amateur sport is as exciting if not more exciting - where else would you get the chance to run onto the pitch? I may have nearly frozen to death but it was worth it. And so were the celebrations! | 
