High tension proliferated through the air of the sports tent on Wednesday afternoon as a scoring discrepancy interrupted the quarter-final of the BUCS cup between York’s Netball 1sts and Northumbria’s 3rds.
The culmination after an hour’s worth of discussion between the clubs, BUCS league and the referees saw the match go into extra time. York’s performance was solid; they played a fantastic game of netball, holding off strong competitors Northumbria until extra time. But the opponents narrowly beat York 46-42.
Northumbria led the first two quarters of the match; 9-7, and 19-17 respectively. The teams were fairly evenly matched in terms of both play and goals during the first and second quarter; the small difference between goals driving York’s determination.
The third quarter capitalised on this determined spirit as York took the lead 29-28. The attack looked stronger. The consistently successful tactic at the centre pass between C Rebecca O’Dwyer and WA Bronwen Dalley Smith enabled the ball to reach the shooters Kay Masterson and Lisa Griffiths.
The Northumbria defence responded well, guarding the shooting pair and blocking them out at every opportunity. But a combination of great, persistent movement in and around the circle, coupled with some incredible passes by the WA saw York penetrate through the defence barrier.
York’s defence played their part too. They backed up the attack, driving the ball forward, putting the Northumbrian side under constant pressure. Georgia Neblett, GK, acted so convincingly as a defender it is hard to believe she was playing out of position.
Together with GD, Nina Pullman, the defensive pair blocked the shooters out of the circle and leaned tall to constantly intercept the ball. Despite their efforts, the Northumbrian shooting was impeccable when they could permeate through this defence.
A motivational team talk before the final quarter urged York to keep calm; they managed this. The ball oscillated between the two teams in the final quarter. WD Charlotte Ferris produced some great interceptions, and the core three middle court players worked well together to push forward.
Tensions were rising as the final whistle blew, and both teams waited in anticipation for the result. The unity of the squad was reflected as the whole of UYNC, who had shown their support throughout the match waited patiently to hear the score.
York recorded it as 36-36, whereas Northumbria disagreed and felt they had won. The waiting game went in for over an hour as both teams huddled in the changing rooms. It was eventually decided that an extra quarter of two seven minute halves would be played. The final score was 42-46 to Northumbria.
Captain, O’Dwyer praised Northumbria as “great opposition” and described how proud she was of the squad, it was an “amazing game, with everyone putting in maximum effort and it showed.” The game was also a great opportunity to try out some new tactics that the squad had been working on and O’Dwyer was pleased with the results.