Netball firsts hold off Sunderland challenge for first league win
Photograph by Sam Newsome
UNIVERSITY OF YORK FIRSTS 29
UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND FIRSTS 23
BUCS League 3B – Wednesday 11th November
Never ones to do things the straightforward way, York’s netball firsts were forced to battle until the final whistle to overcome the challenge of Sunderland yesterday. Close matches, usually decided by a point here or a point there and contested until the bitter end, have become something of a speciality for the team but, unlike earlier BUCS League defeats to Sheffield and Northumbria, they emerged victorious on this occasion.
The 29-23 success capped a fine afternoon for the Netball Club, coming after the seconds had got one over on local rivals St. John with a 43-26 win and the thirds beat Sheffield Hallam 37-30.
When the two sides sized each other up on court pre-match, there appeared to be only one possible winner. York looked superior in terms of athleticism, agility and attacking creativity, and they stormed out of the blocks. With Wing Attack Cesca Dessain and Centre Liz Cowell controlling the middle third, the home team quickly put points on the board. At this early stage of the game, nobody watching would have predicted how crucial these would prove.
Goal Shooter Claire Dinan sees a shot go in during York’s 29-23 victory. Photograph by Sam Newsome.
Goal Attack Sarah Fisher and Goal Shooter Claire Dinan quickly found their range, a contrast to Sunderland, whose game seemed infected with technical errors and infringements. Having said that, the visitors weren’t lacking in spirit and vocal, if thoroughly irritating, support, closing the first quarter only four points down at 11-7.
However, York’s early self-assurance evaporated in the second, offering Sunderland a clear route back into contention. The quarter finished all-square at 7-7 and the emphasis shifted onto Jenni Williams and Grace Marsden, York’s Goalkeeper and Goal Defence respectively, to defend the lead.
The rot continued into the third quarter, which Sunderland edged to reduce the deficit to 21-19. Standards were slipping across the court; the defensive players were continuously required to avert Sunderland attacks which had suddenly become sophisticated and potent, while the attacking half found themselves largely redundant. A couple of late points flattered York, ensuring they retained an advantage entering the final 15 minutes.
York’s Goal Attack Sarah Fisher, with the ball, was outstanding as her team won their first league game of the season. Photograph by Sam Newsome.
Thankfully, heads didn’t drop and York held their nerve. Fisher scored early on but it proved a false dawn as Sunderland let them off the hook time-after-time, shots bouncing around the hoop rather than dropping in. It was nip and tuck entering the final five minutes but, while York might have capitulated on another afternoon, this was to be their day and crucial late scores from Fisher were enough to pull clear in the dying moments. Even the Carling-swigging Sunderland support, who boasted a fine repertoire of football songs, were silenced.
Two weeks ago, the firsts beat Hull 64-10 in the BUCS Cup first round, but even that thrashing is incomparable in importance to this result, which will hopefully act as a springboard for the rest of the season. Getting off the mark in the BUCS League will instil confidence which the team need to carry into next week’s tricky cup trip to Leeds Trinity and All Saints.
York Line-up: GK – Jenni Williams, GD – Grace Marsden, WD – Becky O’Dwyer, C – Liz Cowell, WA – Cesca Dessain, GA – Sarah Fisher, GS – Claire Dinan
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