The men’s basketball team entered this match in good form but ran into a brick wall in the shape of Sheffield Hallam’s 2nds, losing 78-50. The match-up between the division’s two top teams was a closely fought affair, but on the day a physical Sheffield were just too much for York.
Sheffield had won all six of their matches this season prior to Wednesday’s game, and the visitors began the contest in confident fashion. With Sheffield’s no.7 guard scoring three-pointers and playing a blinder, York were forced onto the back foot from the get-go. York’s Marcus Johanssen was having an equally productive early spell though, showing great composure to net a number of free throws and keep the scores level.
Despite this York were struggling to cope with Sheffield’s power, as the opposition threatened to overrun the home team. The visitors laid siege to York’s half in the second quarter, forcing the home team into some desperate defending. Yet York’s defence was proving resilient, and at one stage Ben Barrett drew gasps from the crowd with an interception that seemed to defy the laws of physics. However despite York’s superman heroics Sheffield were relentless in their advances, and went into the half-time break 37-25 ahead.
In the third quarter York tried to restore parity, frequently attacking Sheffield’s basket. Despite impressive build-up play, the home team weren’t converting their chances. In committing themselves forward, York were left vulnerable to the counter-attack, and Sheffield took advantage of this to extend their lead further.
York refused to give up, but in the fourth quarter Sheffield capitalised on a now tired home team to score the extra points that gave their victory an added gloss. York can be proud of the way they fought this match, but in this instance were faced by a team on top of their game