Hockey Mixed 1sts
Lancaster were once again soundly beaten as York looked to extend their points lead on Sunday afternoon. Even though Roses 2007 had been completely wrapped up by the time of this kick-off, the home side treated the game as professionally and with as much commitment as any team had all weekend.
The game started in unorthodox fashion, the Lancaster captain requesting that the match be shortened to 20 minute halves, a clear sign that the punishing nature of the weekend had got to his team. York refused, obviously intent on finishing the tournament as equestrian had started, namely with a convincing win.
Although not a thriller by any stretch of the imagination, York were by far and away the better team. Opening the game with pace and verve, they often pressured Lancaster into making errors, and never allowed their opposition time to settle. This high tempo plan of attack nearly paid off after only six minutes when Jenny Hunt came close to scoring but Lancaster’s goalkeeper did well to snuff out the threat. Yet Hunt was not to be disheartened and soon after she took full advantage of a penalty corner, thundering a great shot into the bottom left hand corner.
Both teams seemed content to sit out the rest of the half, as the game began to peter out with petty fouls disrupting the natural flow. Indeed Lancaster’s first chance of any kind was 20 minutes in coming, and it was easily saved by York’s goalkeeper Will Gebaud, who had a fine afternoon. As the match neared half time, however, York stole decisive control when Richard Adelmung chipped the keeper after good build up to make it 2-0. From here on in Lancaster never looked like making a comeback, with most of their fighting spirit being left to the sidelines where the banter was continuous and loud. The second half followed the pattern of the first with York always looking the more threatening, and the game was put beyond any doubt late on when James Hume gambled on some poor Red Rose defending to slip a shot past the keeper.
On the 3-0 victory, AU President elect, Jo Carter, said “I can’t fault our performance overt the whole weekend. We showed great determination and dedication, with a few score lines flattering Lancaster.” Asked on whether next year’s Roses can be so successful Carter said “I hope so. It’s just nice to have the trophy back in York.”
Player ratings:
Will Gebaud- 8
Dan Westley- 7
Alex Topsfield- 7
Billy Walsh- 8 MOM
Andy Hook- 8
Richard Adelmung- 7
James Hume- 7
Jo Carter- 8
Jenny Hunt- 8
Ali Morgan- 7
Mareieka ?-6
Jaimie Unsworth- 7
