Following a double victory for Leeds at the National Universities 8s Tournament, confidence in the Lacrosse camp was high. The Gryphons picked up where they left off as they put Newcastle 3s to the sword at Weetwood on Wednesday, winning 17-2 in the end.
Leeds got off to a lightning start, as a blistering break saw them take the lead early on. Newcastle managed to hit back soon after, as their number 44 weaved through the defence and struck a shot in at the far post.
The home side were undeterred however, with Georgie Stubly going on a mazy run that bisected the Tynesiders defence and finished expertly. It was clear from the outset why the team had done so well throughout the whole of this year, as there was constant communication and encouragement when the odd pass went astray. The Newcastle keeper had the unenviable task of repelling wave after wave of attacks, and although she did a good job in keeping the score down, it was always going to be a tough task.
The away team did score again after a rare foray forward, but the momentum was still very much with Uni. Kate McCully flicked a shit that flashed narrowly past the left-hand upright, and Sarah Christie also went close as Leeds kept up the pressure. However, it wasn’t long before the girls doubled their advantage as Becky Cheall bounced a shot into the corner to put Leeds 4-2 up.
If Newcastle thought that their opponents would rest on their laurels they were mistaken. More intricate play around the penalty box eventually found the ball pinged to Vicky Schenk, who needed no further invitation, and the buried the shot into the back of the net.
The Newcastle shouts of encouragement were sounding increasingly weary, as the deluge continued. McCully finished first time from a pull-back, and the ball shot into the top corner. The scoreline was becoming increasingly embarrassing for the visitors, and some tiki-taka play eventually led to Lela Long putting Leeds 7-2 up. Long was also involved in the next goal, as the fed Anna Townsend, who kept her cool in front of goal and finished well.
Newcastle’s passing sequences were continually frustrated, and cut out by the Leeds defenders. When they did manage to find any way through, Ellie Eisenstadt in goal was able to block any attempts that came her way. Jenn Ball starred in the latter stages of the match, and scored via a Messi-esque dribble through the centre of the pitch. As the outcome was by now very much a foregone conclusion, conversation among the defensive players turned to other things, for example an intense deliberation about what the team should have for supper that evening.
The difference in quality shone through, as Leeds were able to carve open the rearguard of their opponents time and time again. Newcastle found it almost impossible to break through, and were met with an imposing green and maroon wall every time they tried to advance. Stubley went off on another mazy dribble, before laying it off to McCully who once again made no mistake.
Further goals from Bell, Cheall and Octavia Manning-Cox added gloss to an already emphatic scoreline.
Overall, it was an excellent days work for the Gryphons. Promotion is slightly beyond their grasp, but if they can perform in this vein next season, they will surely put themselves firmly in contention.
Image courtesy of Sam Broadley
Alex Bowmer