Hockey highs and lows

University of York 1sts 0-1 University of Sheffield 1sts

Wednesday was a tense day for UYHC women’s 1st team, as they prepared for the semi-finals of the BUCS cup. Facing the University of Sheffield’s 1st XI, a team in the league above them, York knew they had their work cut out for them, and there was an air of steely determination about the side. With goal keeper Beanie Usher away, Cassie Barker, who had given up the position due to work commitments, selflessly stepped into the gap – a move that proved necessary.

At push back, both teams went out hard, and for the first 15 minutes or so, both sides looked evenly matched. The passing was strong, and both teams made good use of their defensive line-up, with York switching the ball around the back in order to maintain possession and stay strong on the ball.

Yet Sheffield’s forwards were strong on the ball and with some skilful play, managed to win a short corner. A good piece of set play allowed them to convert it, striking the ball just past Cassie Barker’s formidable reach. York worked hard to counter attack, with Rachel Faustino driving the ball into their defensive quarter, but to no avail, and the half finished 0-1.

The second half showed a determined York side really dig their heels in, with the ladies working hard to produce a goal. Laura Pepper showed some real skill and commitment in the centre, and Charlie Bartlett was a well-needed outlet at right-back, picking some excellent passes up the line to Emily Lucas and Frankie Hall. However, Sheffield also came back strong, and Imy Eldergill-Storm had a lot of work to do, proving her strength once more in defence. Rachel McMillan also showed her speed sprinting back to counter the attacking drives of the Sheffield forwards.

The half proved stronger for York, with Faustino winning two short corners in quick succession. However, the girls couldn’t find the net. Sheffield’s counter attack was again strong, and Barker had to make an agile save. York retained the majority of possession for most of the second half, and the forwards had their work cut out for them, with some vicious tackles put in by the scallywags in Sheffield’s defence. With only a few minutes to go, York worked hard to find the net, but their frustrations went in vain, and the full-time whistle blew with the score still at 0-1.

Captain Anna Smith remarked that ‘it was an unfortunate day.’ She continued – ‘I’m really proud of the way the girls played today. Everyone worked so hard and it was a strong cup performance. Cassie played well, and with Beanie away we’re really grateful that she stepped into the gap.’

York came off the pitch looking frustrated and dejected, but their performance showed that they are a strong side, and consisting of mostly first and second year students, they look strong for next year.

Team sheet: Andrea Pisesky – 11, Rachel Faustino – 24, Francesca Hall – 25, Laura Pepper – 9, Anna Smith – 3, Imy ELdergill-Storm – 13, Charlie Bartlett – 7, Emily Lucas – 77, Hannah Harrison – 19, Rachel McMillan – 18, Hannah Gage – 12, Natalie Montezuma – 66.

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University of York 1sts 2-1 Durham University 3rds

Continuing a day of important fixtures, UYHC saw the men’s 1st XI play a tense semi-final match in the BUCS cup, against Durham 3rds this Wednesday. Having watched the women’s 1sts lose in their semi-final game, York’s 1st team awaited push back with a grim determination. With Captain Andrew McIlwraith out injured, Luke Featherstone stepped into central defence in an otherwise standard starting line-up.

Durham came out hard at push-back, and from the outset took a few early shots on goal. However York’s defensive line worked hard and Featherstone cleared the ball well for Mark Inman to drive up the line. With Durham equally driven in defence York’s back line had a lot of work to do, being frequently called upon to switch the ball round the back, whilst being dogged by Durham’s forwards.

With Niko Bode and James Branton working hard in our attacking ‘D’, York won two short corners in quick succession – to no avail. Durham were out quickly to thwart the efforts of Billy Walsh and Andrew Harris. Nevertheless, the half time whistle blew with York looking strong.

The second half started with Richard Larkin strong in defence and creating some imaginative play. Although York conceded a short corner early in the half, Harriman kept the ball out, and York picked up their game. In a brilliant piece of individual play, Niko Bode drove the ball into the ‘D’ to the base line, and passed to the penalty spot, where James Branton’s stick was waiting to smash the ball into the top left corner. In a thrilling piece of play that seemed to come from no-where York finally pulled ahead.

Continuing the attack, York won a series of short corners. Yet three in a row still couldn’t see them convert one into a goal. Billy Walsh was strong as ever on the ball, and created some brilliant play around the ‘D’, frustrating the Durham defensive line. However, in a quick counter attack, Durham surprised York’s defence, who conceded a penalty flick. ‘Keeper Sam Harriman managed to get a touch on the ball, but a competent strike from Durham tied the game at 1-1.

The whistle blew for full time and extra time was played, a situation which McIlwraith described to his team as ‘one of the most intense 15 minutes of hockey we’ll be playing all year.’ However, in an athletic feat of determination, York scored within the first 5 minutes – with Bode driving round the base line in much a similar style to that which set up the first goal. He found Dan Alder in the ‘D’, who flicked it past the keeper in a dramatic and thrilling finish to what had been a nail-biting game.

McIlwraith, who had been shouting authoritatively from the sideline all game, conveyed a clear pride in his side, stating that there were ‘spells of excellent play.’ He continued to state that ‘we demonstrated a resilience that we haven’t had in previous seasons. We kept our heads up after conceding, and showed the same confidence that we had exhibited against Northumbria. It’s obviously brilliant to reach a final and have the opportunity of winning some silverware. Everyone had a good game, but a special mention to Walsh, Bode and Branton’ who played exceptionally on the day to secure York a place in the BUCS cup finals. The team goes into the final looking strong, and with an eager drive to win some silverware. Watch this space.

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