Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Unbeaten in their BUSA league, confidence was high for York’s first team going into this ultimate grudge match. Having lost out so narrowly in both last year's NUNL fixture against Lancaster and their Roses match, the 1sts were determined to show that this side had the strength to overcome their opponents, despite the fact that Lancaster are ranked two BUSA leagues above them. They achieved this with conviction, winning by a considerable eight-goal margin 36-28.
York looked sharp from the start, with their highly effective zone defence reducing Lancaster to held ball penalties, rushed passes, and disrupting their fluency down the court.
Great movement in the centre court from Clare Shaw and Amy Smith and brilliant support from the defence meant York moved the ball swiftly up the court, supplying the shooters with precision balls into the circle which they converted with accuracy, quickly accruing York a stable lead.
Strong shooters remained Lancaster’s strength, with their height and the pin-point passing ability of Lancaster’s centre meaning quick goals were a constant threat. York held their nerve exceptionally, particularly in defence where Katie Cowper-Johnson and Tess Olsen-Rong maintained maximum focus to block moves and cut off passes to the shooters.
Player of the Match was deservedly awarded to Amy Smith, for her fantastic movement, vision and deliveries into the circle and tireless effort at covering the whole court.
Despite last minute changes in their starting line-up due to absence and injury, the 2nds also put on a phenomenal display of skill and determination to overcome Lancaster’s 2nds 35-27.
With three regular centre court players, including captain Katie Smith, unable to play, it was down to newly recruited Freya Wigzell and versatile Olivia Fisher to step into the attacking centre court - which, with the support of Becky Milne and Liz Cowell, York was able to dominate. In her debut match, Wigzell made her mark immediately, with a string of exceptional interceptions giving York the momentum from the start.
York’s newly formed defensive partnership of Liz Cowell and Grace Marsden gelled brilliantly, with goal defence marking tightly, enabling the keeper to pick off balls into the circle with ease. Coupled with the aggressive drives and precision shooting of Sophia Sahin, earning her player of the match as York’s goal attack, the home side went from strength to strength resulting in another eight-goal victory.
Bring on Roses!
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