After York ruined Newcastle’s dreams of getting into the final stages of the BUCS cup a few weeks earlier, they were hungry for a win. However, York, once again, displayed their dominance with a 42-40 victory over a clearly dispirited Newcastle team.
Lucy Daymond opened the first quarter with a superb interception, overturning Newcastle’s first centre. However, York did not take advantage of this and they slowly eased themselves into the game. Shadyn Nikzad and Ellie Mcalphine were authoritative in the centre court, effortlessly feeding the shooters, who were on incredible form, with accurate balls. Furthermore, Amy Moye’s movement in the circle panicked the goalkeeper, as her shots flew in with ease. Although York began to break away in the second half of the first quarter, the game was still up for grabs, with only one goal in it at the end of the quarter.
The second quarter consisted of a superb defensive display by Nina Pullman and Carrie Green. At one instance Newcastle had to pass the ball several times before they finally plucked up the confidence to pass to their shooter, yet, with no avail as Carrie Green confidently seized the ball and won possession for York. In York’s attacking D, Amy Moye continued to hassle the defence whilst Amy Moll, poised as always, scored goals from almost every spot in the circle.
Yet, it was the third quarter in which York began to really assert their authority. Nina Pullman, despite it being her first game back after injury, showed that she was back to her old ways as she won a multitude of interceptions. Most notably, she interrupted Newcastle’s fluid play by soaring out of the D to intercept a pass from the centre to the Goal Shooter, which was met with cheers from the sidelines. York ended the quarter 35-28, giving them a great lead going into the last quarter.
However, Newcastle was not going to let York win easily, and they came back fighting in the last quarter. Newcastle’s Goal Defence began to intercept a few balls which were rushed into York’s attacking D, which clearly worried the York team. Nonetheless, York consistently won interceptions which evened the game out. Shadyn Nikzad, determined to get a win for her beloved seconds, put immense pressure on the Newcastle Centre, who was clearly deflated after the game. A combination of consistent shooting and determination to win resulted in three points for York.
Tess Webb, commented upon the game, saying ‘We always knew we could win, although Newcastle put up a strong attack at times,’ and looked to the future by confidently asserting that her team can win ‘all further games’, which is certainly achievable based upon today’s performance. With Webb’s strong leadership, the seconds team should be looking to push for promotion by the end of the season.
Man of the Match: Ellie Mcalphine