The first XV had a challenging season, playing only eight games due to a combination of appalling Yorkshire weather and coronavirus. Despite having played the least games in the league by some distance they finished 6th in the league, picking up four wins, a draw and three losses. This is a testament to the season they had and the potential for a higher league finish had it been possible to play more games. From a captain’s point of view the best thing to come from the season was the team ethic and camaraderie developed off the pitch; and how it translated into on field performance and a never back down attitude.

A game that demonstrates the fight shown by the boys this season was a visit to league leaders Sandal. 17-7 down going into the last 15 minutes, with storm winds, lashing rain and even hail, the engines hammered on the Sandal try line time and time again. With a herculean effort the lads managed to dot down twice and the game was drawn 17-17. After a quick rendition of the team song, the engines sped back to the Springvale for a lager or two. Bad day to be a beer.

Sheffield won the inaugural Engineering Varsity for the second year running to top off what can be considered a challenging but successful season.

Max Hollingworth
First XV captain 2019-20