The gryphon Centre played host to the Women’s Northern Conference Cup semi-final tie on Wednesday afternoon, where Leeds Uni 1s lost 3-1 to a ruthless Northumbria 2s side.
Despite the two teams being in the same league, Leeds knew that they were in for a tough test with the Newcastle-based outfit unbeaten and ten points clear at the top of the Northern 2B division.
The first set began in a very anxious manner, with both teams battling through some long, tense rallies. As both Leeds and Northumbria entered double figures, no one can have told Amber Chen and Tassie May about the visitors unbeatable form. Pinpoint serves and unstoppable spikes left the Northumbrian frontline shellshocked. Northumbria tried to send in some of their own tantalising serves, but time after time Irmak Gocesku was there with an impressive dig from the back line. The visitors missed their serve at set point, handing Leeds the opening advantage in what could only be described as a perfect start.
Despite the promising opening, Leeds found themselves 0-4 down at the start of the second set. However, some superb serving from Martina Santantoni, as well as powerful spikes from Nicole Morgan gave the home side an unbelievable run of points which saw them turn the score around to 8-4. Northumbria then began to show their quality however and they eventually took the second set comfortably to make the score 1-1.
Many would have expected Northumbria to push on and dominate the third set after this, but with so much at stake, Leeds refused to give up. Northumbria did score their fair share of points, but Leeds always seemed to have an answer. Nicole Morgan and Ashton Hills kept replying to Northumbrian winners by returning their own with interest. Santantoni, the Leeds setter, unfortunately then went off with injury, which seriously disrupted the home side’s flow. The visitors unleashed some ferocious spikes which left even Gokescu with little chance of a return. Eventually Northumbria won that all-important third set, leaving them favourites to claim a place in the final.
Uni looked disheartened as they entered the fourth set, which allowed Northumbria to stamp their authority on the match. The final 20 minutes just seemed like a formality for the visitors who cruised through, earning them a spot in the final against either Manchester Met or Bango. Leeds meanwhile will concentrate their attention on their final game of the league season at home to Sheffield Hallam 1s next week, as they look to end the campaign on a high.
Image courtesy of Lucie England-Duce
Daniel Nixon