There were contrasting fortunes for the two LUUMHC sides at the Christie Cup on Wednesday as the Mens 1s lost both their games, while the 2s came away with medals after two impressive wins.

The 1st team were always going to face a challenge with their BUCS 1st team being rested for their promotion second leg tie with Manchester and the 2nd team with an away league fixture against Sheffield Hallam. This meant that a LUUMHC development XI took to the pitch, comprising of first and second year players from the 3rds, 4ths and 5ths as the club looks forwards to next season.

This development team fought well in their first game against a Manchester side containing four first team players that will be fighting with Leeds’ first string for promotion next month. Their quality allowed them to rack up the goals but the Gryphons kept responding and even took the lead after efforts from Matt Moss and Kieran Boddington. However, the strength of Manchester told in the end as their slick short corner routine pulled them back into the game at 3-3, before eventually putting them clear to take a 4-3 win.

Leeds’ second tie against Liverpool was a far more one sided affair against a side that were desperate to come away with the win. Again Leeds’ development side were thrown in at the deep end against a Liverpool team that boasted genuine first team class. After some defensive errors from Leeds, Liverpool moved into a deserved two goal lead. The gulf in class was clearly demonstrated at the end of the first half when an unconventional short corner routine, short to the left hand side of the D, was expertly put away on the reverse stick by the Liverpool captain. The visitors repeated the feat moments later, with Leeds powerless to stop the move and left trailing 4-0 at full time.

Jack Fairs
Photo: Tyron Louw