ROSES 2014: UYHC men’s 1sts dominate hosts in indoor win

UYHC Men’s 1sts thrashed Lancaster 8-4 in the indoor hockey game to give York’s Roses campaign a huge boost. Leo Watton, Hugo Christie and ‘keeper Callum Chaundy shone in a terrific second half performance in which the hosts imploded having led 4-3 at the break, despite being a man down.

Christie’s lofted opener from a short corner was swiftly cancelled out by a lightning quick Lancaster counter, before Joe Sherrington-Scales recaptured the White Rose’s lead. The visitors were dominant for large periods of the game, as the creativity of Watton and power of Christie frequently proved too much for the home side. Nevertheless, a defensive lapse gifted Lancaster an equaliser for 2-2.  

Christie’s attempt to find a response was halted by a shocking foul from Lancaster, which resulted in a sin bin for the guilty player. Christie’s cool finish made the score 3-2 as York seemed in cruise control. There was drama late in the first period though, as miraculously, two goals in the space of 30 seconds put the hosts in front going into the break despite being a man down.

York were astonished, particularly seeing as they had played the better hockey in the first half, but credit must be given for their emphatic riposte in the second half. The travelling fell victim to some rather weak refereeing decisions as they sought a leveller, but Watton eventually made their class show as he set the ball up for Phil Blackburn, who tucked the ball away for 4-4.

Watton then had a goal disallowed, but found the back of the net anyway to retake the lead at 5-4, with the visitors roared on by a deafening crowd. Christie was having plenty of joy from long-range and his lofted finish proved too much for the Lancaster ‘keeper to handle, making it 6-4 to York.

The White Rose weren’t finished yet, and made the result safe when Watton scored a brilliant seventh for York. Christie stroked home another, before a glaring miss at the death for Lancaster summed up their second half implosion. The final bell tolled, leaving York in raptures.

Captain Phil Ratliff told Vision: “We’re delighted to get the win. Callum Chaundy had an outstanding game in goal, without him, nothing could’ve happened. We’re pleased with the performance and looking forward to the outdoor game tomorrow.”