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With the Varsity tournament less than four weeks away, both university’s three teams knew that winning their match would provide them with a huge psychological advantage going into the competition. This advantage is now unquestionably York’s.
Having beaten St John’s 2nds by a single goal in the BUSA league before Christmas, York’s 2nds rose to the occasion with an outstanding display to see them convincingly grasp victory 32-12.
Despite trailing after the first quarter, having settled into their game York pulled away to lead 15-8 by half time. At the start of the 2nd half, a stunning interception by Liz Cowell to immediately break St John’s first centre asserted York’s dominance, which was capitalised on through precision passes into the circle and an immense shooting performance by Sophia Sahin, who barely missed all game.
In the closing quarter, York’s defensive partnership of Cowell and Marsden proved almost impossible for the St John’s attackers to break down, resulting in held ball penalties being given away in the circle.
Player of the match went to Freya Wigzell for her brilliant supportive play down the court and tight marking which resulted in numerous turnovers.
From here it just got better with York’s 3rds, despite having a much depleted squad due to injury, pulling away immediately for a first quarter score of 9-2. By the end of the first half York led 20-10, with excellent pressure on the ball all the way down the court forcing St Johns to make errors.
Great defensive work from Mia Kennedy and Livi Coward, playing for the first time ever at goal keeper, frustrated the St John’s shooters – allowing York to pull even further ahead. The final score was a jubilant 41-21, with best player awarded to captain Abi Weighill for her constant dominant presence in both defence and attack throughout the match.
With such impressive performances so far the pressure was on for the final match, particularly since St John’s 1sts play in a BUSA division above York’s. Despite a slightly tentative start from both sides the game was fast paced and athletic, St John’s opening the scoring with a fluid passing move.
Every space seemed to be closed down, and the pace of the St John’s Goal Attack meant that York initially struggled to get to grips with the game, ending the first quarter trailing by three goals. Both teams held their own in the second quarter and the play was matched goal for goal.
During the third quarter York’s fitness shone through and they picked up some impressive interceptions, as St John’s struggled to maintain the pace they had set during the first half. Captain Amy Smith was influential as ever, relentless in her support all the way down the court.
Defensively, York zoned well to disrupt the fluency of the St Johns attack, with Katie Cowper-Johnson, on her return from injury, cutting out some vital balls. Whilst in attack, both shooters, Sarah Fisher and Sarah Pycroft, kept their nerve to put on an impressive display of long range shooting, earning them joint player of the match.
Tense to the end, York pulled the score back to three ahead going into the final quarter and held on for a well-deserved 32-30 victory.
Empowered by their victory, York’s three teams will now look to work on their weaknesses over the next three and a half weeks in preparation for Varsity – with the hope that they will be rewarded with three even more convincing wins.
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