Below strength York book their place in final

Written by Serena Franklin

On Sunday York Women’s lacrosse team went into the BUCS final with an 18-2 victory over Keele. The emphatic win was even more commendable by the fact that 7 first team members were absent.

York’s cause was also not helped by a 3 hour trip to the match, a pitch that resembled a swamp in certain areas and weather that changed from sunshine to snow in a matter of minutes. The away side avoided complacency and started the match well with captain Rose Morrison totally dominating the direction of the draw, ably feeding Sarah Saunders on the wing. Despite the changes York were able to work well as a unit with Elsie Blackshaw and Harriet Rees especially prominent in linking the play, with Emily Lingard finishing with some accurate shooting. By the first quarter York had settled in to the game and had opened up a 5-0 lead.

The one sided score was not solely due to York's domination, a completely new looking defence with only one regular defensive team player present coped well with the Keele attacking threat. Communication was undoubtedly key to this success with Christiana Hambro vocally directing the field players meaning few Keele players were unable to break into the fan.

As York added to their goal tally Keele’s frustration grew with tackles from behind becoming the norm and York had to be careful to be keep their composure. It was a particularly nasty challenge on the back of Elsie Blackhsaw’s neck that led to a penalty on the stroke of half term which was powerfully converted to take the score into double figures.

The third quarter is traditionally the time when York’s play dips, and mindful of this the team went out with continued determination to put the tie beyond Keele’s reach. This was epitomized by Fiona Spier’s last minute tackle to deny a Keele attacker that sent York away on another attack. Despite this, at the other end York were over complicating their attacking play with too many players clustered in the fan, and with few cutters the play was rather static.

Both of Keele’s goals were avoidable; the first was due to an unmarked crease and the second after an unpicked up ground ball right in front of Hambro’s goal. While the tie was already in York hands, the two goals did slightly dampen the victory, although the level of skill showed by the second teamers were impressive and bodes well for the future.

York meet Durham in the final, the only team to beat them last term. While the team has definitely improved the fear is that with the final being on the 26th March, after York’s end of term, not all the first team members will be available, which will make their quest for silver ware even tougher.

Team Sheet: Christiana Hambro, Ellie Martin, Kat Bosworth, Serena Franklin, Fiona Spiers, Elsie Blackshaw, Rose Morrison, Sarah Saunders, Harriet Rees, Helen Carr Nicola Drury, Emily Lingard.

Player of the Match: Sarah Saunders

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