Given the amount of time and effort spent getting this game on - the report will be brief!

Playing at our new home of Brabyns for the day, we faced a strong Sheffield team filled with year 9 boys. Despite all of the pre match emphasis on the importance of a fast and determined start it was the opposite as we conceded two poor goals defensively. A start that was ultimately to cost us the game. The rest of the match saw us try valiantly to pull Sheffield back but we were always playing catch up as we went into half time 7-5 down.

There were a number of positives today - we scored some good goals, when we got into our rhythm, and we perhaps gave Sheffield too much respect. When we attacked them, as with Eddie's great driving solo goal, we showed the quality that we know the boys have. Drew and Sam in particular linked up well in attack today and deservedly got the bulk of Mellor's goals with Tom chipping in with a nice finish after having a couple of earlier shots blocked.

The boys seemed to work harder as the game went on, in spite of having no subs, and Ben T and Rufus covered lots of ground getting up and down on what was a big pitch.

Defensively, we started poorly but showed better discipline and competed much better in the second half. Sheffield had an exceptionally good face off which put us under a lot of pressure and the defence of Josh, Ben and Joe didnt have too much rest in the game. Inevitably this led to some loose marking but their heads didnt go down as we played to the end and indeed we scored the last 3 goals of the game.

Whilst we went away thinking if we'd started better and had more possession we would have won the game. No doubt Sheffield went away thinking if they had not faced an exceptional keeper in Will, clearly the best at this level, that they would have won comfortably.
Whilst not the result we wanted it was a good competitive game of lacrosse and the effort in getting the game on was worth it! Hopefully it will help us next week!

Goals - Sam (3), Drew (2) Ben T, Tom and Eddie (1). Will - lots of quality saves!