This was a tie that had quality in abundance, with Lancaster just edging it, despite a superb York performance.
It did not take long for York to open the scoring, with goal shooter Kay Masterton and goal attack Claire Dinan, getting into their stride early on. The goals were flying in and York were soon leading 7-4. It was not a lead that they retained as Lancaster scored in quick succession to take the lead. The early stages really set the tone for the rest of the match, as the ball flew from one end to the other, with no team really showing superiority.
Masterton and Dinan continued to put the goals away with some masterful finishing and York were soon up 15-10. Jenny Williams, York’s goalkeeper, was kept busy, but managed to keep a team who usually play in a league above York, relatively quiet. The second quarter ended with York winning 21-16.
Masterton was replaced by Georgia Neblert at this point, presumably in order to be fresh for the all-important fourth quarter. Goals were going in at each end, with Neblert keeping up her teammate’s good work, with superb support from centre Rebecca O’Dwyer and wing attack Cesca Dessain. Soon it was level pegging at 22-22 and each team traded blows to maintain the close scoreline. Still no team displayed real dominance over the other and the end of the third quarter saw the score at 29-28, with York holding the slight advantage.
As the final quarter began, it was utterly impossible to choose a winner. Masterton was back on and started where she left off, shooting with great assurance, partnered with a similarly prolific Dinan. Despite this, Lancaster looked to be pulling away as the score reached 31-35 but as had been shown throughout the match, this was not a York team ready to roll over. Great play from the attacking players saw York draw level at 35-35, and with the substantial crowd getting ever louder, it was all to play for.
From then on, no team took a significant lead as any York goal was nullified by a Lancaster goal, and vice versa. As the quarter reached its final moments, and the atmosphere inside the tent became even more electric, Lancaster pulled two clear, at 37-39. York managed to get one back, but unfortunately it was just not meant to be, and the final score ended on 38-39 to Lancaster, sparking jubilant scenes within the Red Rose camp. It was a galling end to a pulsating tie for York, and in truth the result could have gone either way. Both sides displayed real class, with shooting and build-up play at times sublime, but this time the ladies in gold were left to ponder over what might have been.