College netball 1sts: Alcuin 26-5 Goodricke

Alcuin confirmed themselves as worthy champions of this term’s college netball league, with a crushing 26-5 victory over Goodricke. Goodricke were powerless to resist a sublime Alcuin display, led by the deadly Charlotte Winter who bagged seventeen goals, with some potent goal shooting. James’ failure to beat Derwent earlier in the day meant that Alcuin were already champions regardless of the result, but they ended the term in style with a convincing display.

Despite the final result Goodricke started brightly, and took an early lead through Cav Aggarwal. Perhaps this was a mistake though, as Alcuin burst into life, and 30 seconds later they were level through Grace Clarke. Seconds later the score was 2-1 Alcuin, as York Sport President Winter grabbed her first of the game.

Clarke and Winter extended the lead to 4-1, before Aggarwal struck again to pull the score back to 4-2. Alcuin though were in devastating form when going forward, and the deadly duo of the tall Clarke, and the smaller but equally destructive Winter quickly built on Alcuin’s advantage.

The score quickly moved onto 8-2 to Alcuin, before Aggarwal bagged her third of the game with an excellent long range shot to reduce the deficit. However the respite was only temporary, as the skilful Catherine O’Mahony set up Clarke for another goal, before her and Winter continued to terrorise the Goodricke defence. At half time the score line read 14-3, with Clarke and Winter both having netted seven times a piece.

Clarke was replaced by Olivia Rainey at half time, whilst Claire Mayo entered the fray for Goodricke at goal shooter, but this didn’t put an end to Alcuin’s momentum. Winter netted twice more, before Rainey got her name on the scoresheet.

At the other end Goodricke were threatening occasionally but Alcuin defenders Helen Marrison and Molly Harvey were doing an excellent job of repelling Goodricke attacks. Winter bagged her tenth of the game to make the score 18-3, and all of a sudden she couldn’t miss, as she bagged four more quick goals to make the score 22-3.

Goodricke must be credited for not giving up, and goal attack Conroy reduced the arrears, only for the natural poacher Winter to bag two more, and Rainey her second of the game. The final goal of the game was scored by Goodricke’s Mayo, but it was only a mere consolation, as the final scoreline read 26-5 to Alcuin, who proved why they have such a fabulous record, and will now go on to represent York at next term’s Varsity.

Alcuin captain Megan Knight told Vision: “It’s a great end to Alcuin’s victorious term. We’re looking forward to Varsity and hoping to continue our winning run after Christmas.”

Vision Player of the Match: Charlotte Winter