The home team flew out of the starting blocks and continued to edge away, and while York’s netball 1sts worked hard throughout the match, Lancaster’s formidable side proved to be unstoppable.
Against a team two BUCS leagues above them, York had their work cut out. Lancaster flexed their muscles with two opportunities to score within the first 30 seconds, and it didn’t take them long to edge ahead.
But York kept up the pressure, their defence working hard with tight marking and great interceptions from Charlotte Ferris on the wing, which kept Lancaster’s score low and within reaching distance for the York team.
At the very end of the first quarter York’s shooters had two attempts in the last eight seconds, but neither Lisa Griffiths or Kay Masterson could get the ball in the hoop before the whistle blew. The first quarter finished 13-6, but everything was still to play for.
In the second quarter, York were continually pulled-up for some rather quick three seconds on the ball, but played on and doubled their tally. After a great interception on a Lancaster centre pass by Ferris, play travelled with ease down the court. But once again, York were short of time, and the ball passed through the net just after the whistle for half time blew and York were still trailing, 27-12.
Lancaster’s GK fouled York’s GS, violently knocking her to the floor in an attempt to intercept an overhead pass. The scuffle between the players, who are sisters, was quickly resolved with a rewarding free shot in the D for York, which Kay Masterson scored with ease.
The third quarter a s similar story. York’s captain Rebecca O’Dwyer put in an outstanding performance, demonstrating phenominal fitness in her efforts to help the York defence and deliver the ball to her shooters on the break. But still, Lancaster had the edge, with more defensive interceptions and shots travelling through their opposition’s hoop. The third quarter finished 40-19, and a comeback for O’Dwyer’s team looked out of their reach.
It was York’s defence who stood out regardless of the score because of their engagement in the game as pivots, working the ball between themselves and progressing play to their attacking end. While Lancaster had become complacent in the countdown to the final whistle, they were by this point, uncatchable. York kept chasing, and, try as they might, the girls in black and gold couldn’t ever draw level or overtake their opponents. York never gave less than 100% but the final score was 54-29.
Lancaster deserved victory, but the score doesn’t reflect the hard work and determination of the York women’s 1sts.
