College netball: Alcuin 26-24 James

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Photos: Jack Western

Alcuin took a giant step towards winning the college netball autumn league and representing York in February’s Varsity competition after a riveting 26-24 victory over rivals James.

James led 15-14 at half time, and possessed a five-goal cushion at 23-18 with minutes remaining, but Goal Attack Grace Clarke inspired Alcuin to a stunning comeback to snatch victory at the death.

Afterwards, Alcuin Goal Shooter and York Sport President, Charlotte Winter, told Vision it was “the best game of college netball I have played in”. Such words were no exaggeration of the quality on show from the heavyweights in college netball.

Although the netball autumn league does not count toward the final college sport standings, the honour of representing the university against Hull in Varsity was at stake. For this reason, both sides served up a blood-and-thunder affair, and the intensity of the encounter was breathtaking.

James Goal Attack Samantha Hall scored a total of 18 goals, Alcuin’s Clarke was close behind on 16, Winter scored 10 and Russell 6, which was testament to the talent on display.

Alcuin were fastest out of the blocks and raced to an early 3-0 lead as Winter and Clarke were on hot shooting form.

James were being hassled in possession and took a while to find their rhythm, but Hall and Goal Shooter Tessa Russell fired them back into contention at 5-5.

A fascinating battle was also developing between the two Centres, Izzi Mattick and Catherine O’Mahony, as both players scrapped for possession and endeavoured to feed their ruthless attackers.

The sides were neck-in-neck for a period but James took the lead for the first time at 8-7 when Hall scored from Russell’s pass.

The advantage was soon reversed 13-12 in Alcuin’s favour as Clarke, utilising her towering height, gobbled up rebounds whenever a Winter attempt missed.

But the pair could do nothing to prevent James taking a 15-14 lead at half-time as Hall scored on the counter-attack with seconds remaining. James proceeded to build on their lead immediately after the restart through Hall and Russell to lead 17-14.

By this stage, the match took on a new level of intensity, scarcely believable ten minutes previously, which demanded every pass to be perfect and every shot to hit the target. Quite simply, any mistake would be punished.

James ramped up the pressure and raced to a 21-16 advantage as Russell and Hall nailed their shots to perfection, and the side enjoyed a 23-18 lead with five minutes left.

But Alcuin continued to fight. Winter urged her players on and partner-in-crime Clarke responded with a devastating series of goals which ultimately decided the result.

The Goal Shooter scored four goals in a row to cut the deficit to 23-22 before Winter drew her side level sending the Alcuin supporters, including Sam Asfahani, into a frenzy on the touchline.

Goal Attacks Hall and Clarke exchanged goals to make it 24 apiece, but Alcuin had the final word as Winter and Clarke netted decisively to snatch victory in the dying moments.

The match was so ferociously contested that neither side knew the score until it was read out after the final whistle, sparking delirious celebrations among the Alcuin players.

While Winter spoke of her delight at victory, James captain Anisha Wilmink commented: “We were the stronger team in the second half but we just started making mistakes towards the end. Ultimately Alcuin kept their heads and secured the win and it was a great match to play.”

Alcuin: Helen Marrison (GK), Amy Finch (GD), Megan Knight (WD), Catherine O’Mahony (C), Emma Houlden (WA), Grace Clarke (GA), Charlotte Winter (GS)

James: Anisha Wilmink (GK), Rebecca Pay-Savage (GD), Eleanor Mathew (WD), Lauren Woodcock (WA), Izzi Mattick (C), Samantha Hall (GA), Tessa Russell (GS)

Vision player of the match: Grace Clarke