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University of York 1sts 36 - 20 University of Sunderland 1sts
Wednesday afternoon saw the second BUCS match of the season for York Netball 1sts against Sunderland 1sts. Putting a narrow loss to Keele on Saturday in the NUNL behind them, the York team dominated the visitors to run out easy winners and move to joint top of the BUCS 4B league.
The team, captained by Tess Olsen, dominated the match with slick set plays and great movement around the court. After losing some key players from last season, the new team was out to make their mark and despite forming only 10 days ago, they've obviously quickly established a great rapport.
Having clinched the opening BUCS match of the season by a single goal in week 2, the team went into the match with a fighting spirit. The first quarter saw York’s prowess in the circle with vice-captain Sarah Pycroft holding the defence and in doing so creating some great space, whilst the strikingly blonde goal-shooter Sarah Fisher demonstrated some impressive long range shooting.
Set plays down the court assured York took full advantage of Sunderland’s mistakes. Back line passes were especially influential as the team channeled brilliantly down the court. By the end of the first quarter York were leading 12 goals to Sunderland’s 6.
Defensive pressure assured York maintained a clear lead throughout the second quarter. The colossal Grace Marsden and Tess Olsen forged a strong partnership inside the circle with some effective blocking tactics and stunning leans. Ever vocal, both players frustrated the Sunderland attack with their relentless presence.
At times York was somewhat overenthusiastic giving rise to a few offside calls but they continued to outplay their opponents. When the whistle was blown on the second quarter, York had extended their lead to 17-10. At this point in the match Olsen encouraged the team to sharpen up their play and stick to their own game.
The team talk certainly energised York who came back in the third quarter to net a further 12 goals. All aspects of court play strengthened with Olivia Fisher dominating centre court play and making countless interceptions. Fisher effectively linked defence and attacking play, ably supported by Cesca Dessain and the red-headed Liz Cowell on the wings.
It was in the fourth quarter that the fitness of York really outshone Sunderland. All players made maximum effort to maintain a high level of play to the very end. In this final quarter York’s shooters gathered momentum with some outstanding goals on target from Sarah Fisher, who definitely had her shooting boots instead of her usual UGG boots. A final score of 36-18 was a well deserved score and an impressive one for a team in its infancy.
Now with two BUCS wins behind them York 1sts can go into their next match feeling empowered and confident. Set plays still need to be sharpened up but it is really fitness that will be the deciding factor in York’s BUCS season, something that both Olsen and Pycroft are keen to focus on.
Such a promising start to the season will certainly boost the moral of York and see them attack future challenges with energy and enthusiasm, both of which they'll need in abundance to overcome Huddersfield 1sts next Wednesday.
Team: Tess Olsen, Grace Marsden, Jennifer Williams, Liz Cowell, Olivia Fisher, Katie Brunskill, Cesca Dessain, Sarah Pycroft, Sarah Fisher.
Player of the match: Sarah Pycroft
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