Water Polo ASANWR Under 14 Tournament Played and Manchester Aquatic Centre

Lancaster played in the Preliminary Round of the above event on Sunday 23rd November

 Lancaster played Manchester B in the 1st game.

The game started with very few opportunities being developed as both teams initially cancelled each other out. Manchester took the lead at the end of the 1st period with a highly disputed penalty.This spurred Manchester on and at the beginning of the 2nd period Manchester had increased their lead to 3 goals as Lancaster took time to settle.

Good play by Katie Hesketh enabled Lancaster to register their 1st goal. However this was cancelled out as Manchester re-established their 3 goal advantage.  This time Lancaster responded well with 2 well worked goals from Elliot Trafford and Katie. As the game came to a close Manchester scored for the game to finish Lancaster 3 Manchester 5

Lancaster played Birkenhead in their 2nd game.

A much better start from Lancaster as Sam Smith scored from Lancaster’s 1st attack.It took a while until Katie ,Elliot and then Sam scored for the half to finish Lancaster 4 Birkenhead 0. Lancaster had dominated play and the goals reflected the play.

The 2nd half started with Sam repeating his first half performance by scoring in the 1st minute of the half. Lancaster started to make changes as the coach could see that Lancaster was in control. This allowed Birkenhead to score twice. Lancaster’s confidence was not misplaced as Elliot (2) and Sam from the penalty increased Lancaster’s lead to 6 goals. Birkenhead scored to reduce their deficit but Lancaster continued to score with goals from Katie and Elliott.
Final score Lancaster 10 Birkenhead 3 

Lancaster’s final game of the afternoon was against Warrington.

If Lancaster win they go through to the semi finals to be played at a later date, if they lose they go into the playoffs for minor places. The game was quite tight at the start as neither team seemed to be able to score. Sam Smith broke the ice with a well taken goal, this opened the scoring gates as Katie and then Elliott added a goal a piece for the period to finish .Lancaster 3 Warrington 0

Lancaster continued to press Warrington in the 2nd period .Sam Smith scored early in the period to give Lancaster a 4 goal lead. Continued pressured by Lancaster stifled Warrington and they found it hard to manage a scoring opportunity. When they did, Kamil Pluancki in Lancaster’s goal was equal to whatever was sent in his direction. Further goals from Elliott (2) and Katie ensured Lancaster a place in the semi finals as they ran out winners Lancaster7 Warrington 0.

Kamil in goal making his first appearance in this competition played his part well in Lancaster’s qualification.
Ben Walker and Scott Sharpe had 2 outstanding performances as they also appeared in this competition for the first time. Rachael Murby worked tirelessly throughout the tournament and made a large contribution to the results. The 3 goal scorers Elliott (captain), Katie and Sam worked hard helping the less experienced players throughout the games and contributing with their goal tally. James Alker, Luke Saul and Andrew Burch all performed admirably when they were in the water. The whole team functioned well and all the players can be rightly proud of their individual and team performances.

The team and scorers
Kamil Pluckinski, Ben Walker, Scott Sharpe, Katie Hesketh (6), Rachael Murby, Elliott Trafford (8), Sam Smith (6), James Alker, Luke Saul, Andrew Burch

Semi Final and Final
Report by Stephen Smith

 SEMI-FINAL:

Lancaster                   5          (Sam Smith 3, Katie Hesketh 2)
Carlisle                       2          (K. Harrison 1, N. Howson 1)

Lancaster commenced the day with a comfortable victory over it’s sister club Carlisle in the semi final of the NorthWest ASA competition. 

Lancaster wasted no time and charged into the lead with a quick goal from Sam Smith.  Good defending and dependable play by the younger players kept the opposition at bay. 

Carlisle who were not prepared to give up without a fight managed to notch up two respectable goals.

In between, amid the hard work and several close calls by Elliot Trafford, a further two goals each from Katie Hesketh and Sam Smith brought an end to the brave challenge from Carlisle.

 FINAL:

Lancaster                   9          (Sam Smith 5, Elliot Trafford 3, Katie Hesketh 1)
Manchester B            6          (E. Chadderton 3, M. Flint 3)

Lancaster found themselves in the final with Manchester B, who came through from a thrilling game against their local grammar school team – Manchester A. Lancaster went into the game with added confidence, only to be taken aback as Manchester were first to score.  With the aid of admirable mid-bath play from James Alker, Samantha Edwards and Scott Sharpe Lancaster hit back with a couple of goals. 

Manchester continued to work hard to test the Lancaster defence and to their credit pulled a few goals back, and at one point went ahead.  Nonetheless, Lancaster’s goalkeeper Kamil Plucinski was focused and did a sterling job in keeping their goals to a minimum.  Likewise, in defence youngsters Ben Walker, Luke Saul and Rachael Murby put the Manchester attacking players under pressure making it difficult for them to capitalise.

At a crucial point a needless foul by Sam Smith got himself excluded resulting in another goal for Manchester.  Literally seconds later, Sam powered home a superb long-range shot with a vengeance from over halfway to level the score. 

Lancaster then started to falter in attack and made some simple mistakes, hence several potential openings were wasted.  That is, until Elliot Trafford finally came through with a goal that helped boost Lancaster’s confidence and turn their fortunes around.

Regular changes of ‘pit’ position play between Elliott Trafford and Sam Smith including relentless driving attacks by Katie Hesketh eventually tested Manchester’s stalwart central defenders until they could’t take any more as Lancaster quickly re-established control and the goals began to flow.

Overall the enthusiasm, skills and advanced fitness of the Lancaster players eventually proved too much for the Manchester side as they went on to claim a respectable victory with an impressive performance.

Coach: Ron Winn
Assistant: Gary Ellwood

A show of appreciation goes to Ron Winn, Gary Ellwood and Zak Sly for their coaching efforts throughout the competition and especially in training – helping to improve the players’ ball skills, tactical awareness and overall fitness generating a match wining team.