York, despite losing key players last season, looked strong from the outset. An early injury from Bronwen Dalley- Smith, WA, resulted in a substitution, bringing on Hollie Dixon. Dixon, a fresher, held her nerve and adapted well to the pressures of her first game. Despite Sheffield putting up a fight in the first few minutes, superb shooting from Emma Loft and Amy Moye ensured that York kept the lead. At the end of the first quarter, the score was 10-6.
Sheffield stepped up their game in the second quarter, but it was not enough to keep up with this strong York side. Charlotte Ferris and Lucy Daymond orchestrated the centre court, despite contact from frustrated Sheffield players. Lottie Knight and Nina Pullman, once again, proved that they were unstoppable by intercepting Sheffield feeds into the centre and supporting their centre court players up the court. York held a comfortable lead at half time but there was much more to come.
Despite the third quarter being historically fatal for the York Firsts team, they retained their lead. Moye, Varsity Player of the Year 2012, did what she does best and scored shots from multiple ends of the circle, to the amazement of the crowd. Loft, however, was not to be outdone and she showed confidence and resilience with her shots. Although the Sheffield shooters were consistent, Knight and Pullman kept them at bay and they rarely saw the ball. York pulled away in this quarter with a 29-15 lead.
York continued their excellent display in the last quarter. Every York player fought for the ball and the team spirit was for all to see. Dixon and Ferris consistently fed the shooters with accurate balls which they calmly placed into the net. Despite pressure from a tall Sheffield GD, Moye continued to dominate and even intercepted down the York end. The match ended 36-20 to York and it really was well deserved.
Nina Pullman, Captain, proved that she can do great things with this team this year and she will push for promotion with all her might. Pullman said she ‘Couldn’t be happier’ with her team’s performance and was delighted that her team kept ‘focus’ throughout the whole game. She praised the York Sport Pre- Season and said that she believes it has given York ‘the edge’, especially since their session with Tracey Neville, England Netball International. With other fantastic wins across campus, a spot in the top 40 could well be in York’s sights.
MOTM: Charlotte Ferris