Netball narrowly beaten by Northumbria despite fiery performance
Photograph by Jason Lozier
Hard floors and the bitter cold didn’t stop the girls of the netball first team on Wednesday. Fast–paced and raring to go as ever, the girls were at their best against long-time adversaries Northumbria University. York faced one of the deadliest teams in their BUCS league but, sportingly as ever, kept them on their toes, and the fans screaming until the end. Each quarter came with an unexpected turn, and no winner could be predicted until the very end. The score, 27-25, left York devastated, yet raring for another bite.
The black and gold uniforms paced up and down rapidly in the first quarter, but couldn’t find their stride until the very last minute, and at 10-6 down they seemed relieved for the break. The struggle continued on into the second quarter, where York found themselves playing defensively too many times. York desperately needed a change of mentality if they were going to have any kind of a chance.
It seems, however, that the team love playing on the edge of danger. The more pressure they are under, the more they thrive on the large support at the sidelines. ‘This next quarter is going to be a good one,’ one third team girl whispered, as if she knew York enjoyed being underdogs to start with. The anticipation for the next half was infectious, and the York girls suddenly appeared ready for combat.
The lead Northumbria had was chopped down by the speed of York who suddenly seemed re-charged. The ball failed to leave a York hand, and when it did Wing Attack Cesca Dessain and Goal Attack Sarah Fisher had it back in the next minute. This superb ten minute spell turned the game around for York who went into the lead and the last quarter with eyes on the prize.
The last quarter came and went in a flash. Both teams were unwilling to settle on last place and so the goals kept coming on each side. Exhausting for the girls and the spectators, the outcome was still very much uncertain. Goal Shooter Kay Masterson kept accurately scoring, but Northumbria did too which clinched it for them 27- 25 at the end.
“We knew this would be a hard match but we were ready for the challenge” said Jenni Williams for the team. Commenting on the close loss Dessain answered “We were so pleased with the pace; we know we can bring that to future games so there is not too much worry!” One spectator summed up the performance very well indeed. “The game was fast and skilled, a delight to watch the York girls strut their stuff on court!”
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