YORK VX managed to hold off a valiant comeback from local league side Easi-Rockits to win their first ever match in the V10 format. Led by world number one and President Jack Brown, York led throughout but were made to work hard for their victory by a team containing England Head Coach Paul Hildreth, and guest players James Hasindihe and Gerald Kanyesigye, the CEO and Head Coach of Uganda VX respectively.
York took an early lead and carried this into the half-time break, but were pegged back in the third quarter and only held a one-point advantage heading into the final four minutes. However, the team was able to rally again in the fourth quarter and came through 206-203 victors.
It was a historic day for the club, holding their first ever match against another club in the full V10 format. The fact that the England and Ugandan head coaches were in attendance made the occasion even bigger for the club, and they did not disappoint in coming out with the victory.
The early stages were close but York managed to pull into a 61-53 lead at the end of the first quarter. Boasting world champion Jack Brown and Youth World number two Charlie Ford in their team, it looked like it might turn into a routine win for York.
They continued their momentum into the second quarter, extending their lead to fourteen points with the half ending 111-97 to York. The intensity was high in the first half, with York doing well to nullify the quality of the Easi-Rockits team.
The Easi-Rockits came out firing in the third quarter, with York losing their way a bit. The experience of the local side was shining through, with York struggling to hold onto the balls and make their shots count. The quarter ended 149-148 to York.
The game was now there for the taking by either side, and Brown had a few stern words with his team over their third quarter performance. York came out strong to begin the quarter, and it looked like they would pull away for the win. The Easi-Rockits had other ideas and finished well but it was too little too late. York emerged with the 206-203 win, doing admirably in taking on such an experienced outfit and coming out on top.
Skipper and coach Jack Brown had this to say about the win: “The win today just shows how hard each of the players have trained this year, especially with most of the players on the team having only been playing the sport for a year or less. They all gave their best effort and came away with the result that most of us were unsure we would get. As their coach, I’m really proud of all the players and I’m over the moon with the result.”
York V: Jack Brown (c), Charlie Ford, Orjan Holm, Miro Pluckebaum, Yongchao Wong.