York’s netball seconds crashed out of the BUCS Northern Conference Cup yesterday, losing 48-26 to a dominant visiting Newcastle University thirds team.
The seconds have enjoyed an impressive campaign this season, winning four of their first five matches and drawing the other. However in Newcastle’s thirds York were coming up against a side a division above them, and ultimately this difference in quality proved too much for the home side.
Newcastle were in control from the off, moving the ball about the court with pace and accuracy. The visitors finished the first quarter 9-5 ahead, and extended their lead further in the second quarter to go 21-10 up.
York remained impressively defiant in the face of tough opposition though, with captain and goal keeper Jo Bradshaw leading by example with key interceptions to stop the gap in scores from widening further. Despite York’s commitment Newcastle continued to score with relative ease, and the visitors finished the third quarter 37-8 in front.
The home side did manage to put some points on the board to lend respectability to the score though, mainly through the form of the unerringly accurate goal attack Lisa Griffiths. Griffiths’ efforts served only as a form of consolation however, and in spite of York’s refusal to let heads drop, the match ended with the score 48-26 to Newcastle.
Captain Jo Bradshaw claimed she was proud of her team’s performance after the match though, and praised the side for their season so far. She said: “I’m not disappointed with the game today, even though we lost. It’s the first game we’ve lost all term, and I thought that we played very consistently throughout the match.”
The seconds return to action after the Christmas break, and will look to continue an excellent season and push on for first place in the league.