Lancaster eased to victory over York in the Women’s Water Polo, triumphing over the White Rose in commanding style.
Lancaster started by far the better team in the Women’s Water Polo, quickly accelerating into a 3-0 lead, and it could easily have been worse. York improved slightly preventing any more goals, and forcing a save from the Lancaster keeper. Drowning a few Lancaster players seemed to be the best bet for the White Rose.
The crowd erupted again as Lancaster moved into a commanding 4-0 lead, and it seemed curtains for York even in the first quarter. A very one sided first quarter ended in Lancaster leading 4-0, and York with their work cut out.
The umpire displayed animated behaviour on the sidelines, waving his hands frantically, and Lancaster continued to assert their dominance, hitting the York bar, and being camped in the York half. A rare venture into Lancaster territory, saw a half chance for York, and the media room erupted as York scrambled one over the line, to reduce the arrears to 4-1. Gradually it became a more balanced contest, as the York fan club found their voice.
York scored from a penalty shot, to make it 4-2, comeback on, sadly it was not to be? Back to business as usual soon after, as Lancaster reasserted their dominance to move the score onto 5-2. This was closely followed by an excellent move by York drawing a good save, but Lancaster then broke away to score again. Another goal apiece made it 7-3 at half time, with York trailing by four goals. The crowd began to increase, along with the volume as York pulled a goal back. That’s as good as it got in the third quarter though for York, as the Red Rose found the net a further five times, to take the score to 12-4. The highlights were two stunning lobs, leaving the keeper helpless, and finding the top corner of the York not, ending the game as a contest.
The final quarter was slightly more balanced, with the early period bringing no goals, despite Lancaster twice rattling the woodwork. The result though was a foregone conclusion by this side, and the excitement in the crowd subsided, as they waited in anticipation for the Men’s Water Polo. A fairly uneventful final quarter, though York threatened, crashing one attempt onto the frame of the Lancaster goal, whilst a penalty shot was saved by the Lancaster keeper, much to the joy of the large home contingent of the crowd.
York’s best period of the game saw them hit the bar again, as they at least managed to restore some pride through an improved performance. York finally got their reward, when a breakaway goal was excellently finished into the corner. Tactical timeout bizarrely called for by Lancaster with less than a minute left, and many substitutions made. York at least had the honour of winning the last quarter, as the game finished 12-5, handing Lancaster the points in a comfortable victory.