Last week’s game against Wilmslow was used by the coaches to work on attacking moves; and this was the first opportunity to see if the boys could put theory into practice.

At the end of the first quarter, there was little evidence that the team’s attacking skills had improved and, indeed, CH/Norbury gave MC lax a lesson in basic passing and catching. The team had plenty of possession but the passing seemed laboured and with little creativity when close to the opposition goal. As a result, CH/Norbury scored two good goals with MC having only one shot on target in the first 10 minutes. Thankfully, just before the end of the quarter, Joe won a ground ball 20m from goal and, after a short charge, delivered a strong shot which duly hit the back of the net. The quarter ended 1-2 to CH/Norbury.

At the break, the coaches reminded the boys about the game plan and what they’d been practicing ……. and, inexplicably, they seemed to listen. No more passing to feet, no more trying to crash through 4 players to score and no more dropped passes or weak shots. Pass, move, pass, move… was the order of the day and the team delivered five goals in a 10 minute spell that stunned the opposition. Elliot was involved in most of the goals, delivering the final pass to either Joe(2) or Jonathan(2) to score from close range – and scoring the last one himself.

CH/Norbury were still a menace when attacking and they scored twice in the quarter. That said, the long-sticks were winning most of the ground balls and, as the game went on, they also stole a lot of balls from the opposition forwards and middies with solids checks.

At half-time, the score was 6-4. Brandon came out of goal and handed the big net to Louis.

The pace of attack continued but MC were denied more goals by the woodwork and too many weak shots aimed at the goalie’s middle. CH/Norbury scored to close the gap to one goal. Finally, Elliot found the target; and a few minutes later, sustained pressure by the MC middies resulted in a turnover-ball followed by a sharp pass to Brandon and a goal. The quarter ended 8-5.

The final quarter was more akin to the second quarter and the spectators were treated to another great display of fast, sharp, attacking lacrosse – which delivered five excellent goals for MC.

Joe slotted home the first after a great run and take; Jonathan claimed the second after the ball from Joe “bounced” off his stick and dribbled in – either fluke or unbelievable timing?!? However, his next goal was a cracker which involved a sweet body-swerve to get round a CH/Norbury defender. Elliot then slotted home the 4th of the quarter with a powerful rising shot; and Matt scored the final goal for MC with a cheeky little lob from close range. CH/Norbury also added one goal to their tally and the match finished 13-6 to MC LAX.

The team was using Joe and Jonathan as the key target men and, although they scored most of the goals, it should be pointed out that the hard-work was done by the long-sticks who limited a good side to only 6 goals and the middies who, as ever, ran their socks-off – winning most of the face-offs, delivering possession, control and the final “killer-passes”.

Goals from Brandon, Elliot (3), Joe (4), Jonathan (4), Matt

MC LAX – played 15, lost 3 won 12