Last-gasp victory keeps seconds’ title hopes burning
Photograph by Sam Newsome
LEEDS TRINITY AND ALL SAINTS FIRSTS 30
UNIVERSITY OF YORK SECONDS 31
BUCS LEAGUE 5B – Wednesday 25th November
York Netball seconds have a long history of competitive games against Leeds Trinity and All Saints College (TASC), and Wednesday’s match did not break with tradition. The squad, unbeaten in their last five matches, headed to Leeds with all guns blazing, craving another win. Their determination paid off in a match that was not won until the very last minute. The final score of 31-30 reflected the tightness of this match, and will be pleasing to a York team who played well, but not without a few costly errors.
York were considerably quicker off the mark than TASC and immediately reaped rewards by breaking the first TASC centre, which Goal Shooter Sophia Sahin converted. The TASC Goal Attack responded to this surprise blow by stating “It should have been me that scored that one,” little was she to know just how important every goal was to be in this match. York’s fiery start continued throughout the quarter, although TASC fought back well, particularly in the attacking third, where their defence worked strongly to force York to work the ball around before giving Sahin and Abi Weighill, the Goal Attack, an opportunity to shoot.
Both sides used the defensive tactic of the “zone” throughout the first quarter, but York, who were using it for the first time this season, had a much better grasp of its fundamentals and used it to greater effect. The away attack moved the zone fluidly and aggressively causing the TASC defence to make wild passes, which were successfully picked off by Cleo Jones, the York Goal Defence, and Laura Longworth, the Wing Defence.
York ended the first quarter two goals up, the greatest lead that they would have in the rest of the match. By the end of the second quarter the lead had been narrowed to a goal, as York committed several basic errors, thus handing possession over to TASC and meaning they had to fight hard to get the ball back. York continued to have problems finding space, but successful movement in the attacking third by Wing Attack Lorna Davies-Colley and Centre Ellie McAlpine meant that there were enough opportunities for York to score and keep on a level pegging.
At half-time TASC made a couple of changes, notably in the centre court, bringing more energy to their side and forcing York to draw on their energy reserves. An emphasis on maintaining a high level of fitness is at the heart of the York Netball Club mentality and this was an instance in which it certainly paid off. York’s defence were kept busy, but impressive circle work from Jones and Jo Brayshaw, the Goal Keeper, was often not enough to hold back a revitalised TASC attack. By the end of the quarter York led by a single goal. Entering the final quarter nerves were high, as Brayshaw stated; “Having led throughout, I would be gutted if we lost this now”.
TASC clearly had the same mentality and started the quarter strongly, scoring several goals on the trot, thus snatching the lead from York’s grasp. Their winning streak was further fuelled by the variety of errors made by York, who appeared to be buckling under the pressure. However, they snapped out of it and started to show signs of the skill which had got them this far and their impressive ability to work together as a team. A flurry of goals from York squared things up and in the final minutes they took the game 31-30. TASC may feel robbed, but York were the stronger side throughout the match and scraped a much deserved win. Sahin, York seconds Captain, was thrilled with the win and said she was “so proud of the girls. They put every thing in and kept fighting right up until the last minute”.
Man of the match went to McAlpine, who played consistently well throughout and played a crucial role as the link between the attack and defence. She was delighted with the win and felt that it was “the toughest match yet this year”. However things are likely to get tougher for York, who are currently second in the league, as they play league leaders Newcastle next week in a match sure to be worth watching.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, the first team were beaten 55-16 away to table-topping Teesside, while the thirds defeated Bradford 39-38 on the road.
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