After a mixed start to the season, York’s netball 1sts host Hull 2nds in a highly anticipated encounter tomorrow. The side opened the season with a commanding victory over Sheffield 2nds, but then suffered defeat to table topping Northumbria 3rds by the narrowest of margins, a single goal.
Last week saw their cup run ended by Sheffield Hallam 1sts, a team two divisions above them, but promising performances suggest that a fruitful season lies ahead.
Indeed the squad has gelled well, with a combination of freshers and members of last year’s squad. Their hard work in training has seen them improve as an outfit, and Pullman remarked: “Focus has been on fitness, shooting confidence and playing at a consistent level throughout a match, and these three things are what directly influenced our early wins.” Captain Nina Pullman told Vision: “The squad’s continual improvement and dedication leaves me feeling optimistic for the rest of the season. We have as good a chance as anyone to be winning the league, and without allowing any sense of complacency into the squad I feel quietly confident in our ability.”
The side has been hindered by the absence of vice-captain and shooter Georgia Neblett through injury, but in her place fresher Emma Loft has impressed. Pullman commented: “Emma has been forced to settle into the rest of the team particularly quickly, and has proved herself as part of the starting seven.”
Victory against rivals Hull would provide a major boost to their promotion bid, and regarding the match, she commented: “We’ll start every quarter as if the game was 0-0, play competitive, high quality netball to the absolute best of our potential. York teams traditionally thrive off the adrenaline of these rivalries, and the atmosphere will have something extra to it.”
The encounter will commence at 3pm tomorrow in the tent, and Pullman called on students to lend their support: “We really do play better with people watching; having an audience is an invaluable advantage to playing at home and gives us something more to play for.” In a league where contests have generally been very tight, the presence of a vocal set of York supporters could be a crucial factor in swinging the match’s outcome in York’s favour.