The men’s hockey 1st team came back from two goals down to defeat St Andrew’s 9-2 at Weetwood. The away side started brightest, with their constant pressure telling despite a superb performance from the Leeds keeper, as he pulled off save after save to keep the game tight in the early stages. Going two goals down appeared to wake the home side up, as they utilised their counter attacking strategy to perfection, making the scores 2-1, before a superb short corner routine, straight off of the training ground, levelled the scores. Sensing that they had the momentum, Leeds continued to press, taking the lead just before half-time.

The short break didn’t seem to help St Andrew’s, as they conceded another goal from close range shortly after the action restarted. Throughout the rest of the second half, Leeds were rampant, scoring five more goals before the end of the match, making their slow start seem like a distant memory. The win puts the team into the last 16 of the Hockey Trophy, where they will play the 1st team from Sheffield. Leeds’ next league opponents are Loughborough, with the two meeting at Weetwood next week,with both teams knowing that a win would put them three points clear of their opponents.

For the women’s hockey teams, it was a day of close-fought action in their matches. The seconds were eliminated from the last 16 of the Northern Conference Cup on penalties against Durham, but the thirds were delighted to defeat league rivals York St John on penalties, earning them a match against Newcastle, with the winner making it into the semi-finals. In the Northern Conference Plate, the fourth team travelled to Sheffield Hallam, and returned jubilant 3-0 victors, as they set up a match against either Bradford or Manchester in February. The 6’s were also involved in a 3-0 scoreline, but unfortunately for them they were on the receiving end of some great play from the Hull. This leaves the fourth team as the sole Leeds representatives in the plate, as the 5th, 7th and 8th team were eliminated in earlier rounds.

Moving away from the hockey pitch, it was a good day for Leeds’ netball squad, with all four teams in action putting in excellent performances. The highlight of the day came from the 1st team, with the long journey up to Edinburgh to play Heriot Watt being worthwhile, as they controlled the match expertly to run out 80-21 winners in the Netball Trophy. In the Conference Cup, it was also a triumphant day for the 2nd team, as they secured their spot in the quarter-finals with a 69-31 against the Liverpool 3rd team. However, there was heartbreak for the thirds, as their cup tie against Newcastle 2s went to extra time, with Newcastle getting the crucial extra point to win 47-46. In the Conference Plate, the 6s continued their perfect start to the season with a hard-fought 47-41 win against Manchester 5s.

In other cup action, the men’s fencing team won their Trophy match against Glasgow, winning 121-117 in Scotland. Leeds versus Glasgow was also a clash that took place in the lacrosse trophy, with Glasgow running out 9-3 winners at Weetwood.

Luke Etheridge

Featured Image: The Gryphon