York’s netballers restart their BUCS campaign tomorrow, as the 1sts make the trip to second placed Leeds Met 4ths. York themselves sit fourth in the table, but due to the tight nature of the league with only three points separating top from bottom, the side still has every chance of promotion.
Captain Nina Pullman told Vision: “With such a tight league this half of the season is set to be incredibly exciting. Obviously we will put all our efforts into keeping promotion in sight, this would be an absolutely amazing result for us!” Despite being only fourth, York have the best goal difference in the league having recorded commanding victories over Sheffield and Hull, but suffering agonising away defeats against Northumbria and Sunderland, by one and three goals respectively.
Asked how her side would prevent a third narrow away defeat, Pullman replied: “concentration will be key in getting on top of Leeds this Wednesday, we’ve had a good history with playing away against them and in the past we have been evenly matched. The most important thing is to make an impact immediately after the first whistle goes.”
She added: “I want the girls to get a goal, get an interception, anything to put Leeds on the defensive in the first minute so we set an assertive standard for the rest of the game.”
Pullman herself however will be a mere spectator as a ligament injury heals. Currently six weeks into a three month recovery period, the inspirational captain is hoping that she’ll be fit to return for Varsity in just under five weeks. The rest of the squad fortunately remains largely injury free, and Pullman remarked: “All three teams are treating these first two weeks of term as if it was another pre-season, we have all had extra fitness sessions and boot camps and fitness is well on its way to 100%.”
Such commitment should help the side to brush away any post-Christmas cobwebs, as they go in search of a win which would lift them to the top of the table, since York have a game in hand on everyone bar Leeds Met, with this fixture being the only one taking place tomorrow.
Pullman finished by saying: “Keep an eye on the netball BUCS league tables for York, and the UYNC Twitter account as there should be some exciting scores coming in during the next few weeks!” Indeed it is exciting times as the teams aims to achieve the elusive promotion.