WEEKLY ROUNDUP 8th MAY

INTRODUCTION
Because of Easter the Flags Final Weekend was late this year but once again Rochdale LC staged a really excellent event. Poor weather on the Saturday certainly affected the attendance but for Timperley there was something to celebrate as an excellent performance from our U16 team brought them an 8-6 victory over Poynton. Our U16s are a small but very capable team who have played some excellent lacrosse this season and a piece of silverware is a fitting reward. I have been concerned about the whole U16 age group this year as there has been a preponderance of combination teams but in Timperley and Poynton at least we had two “proper teams”.
On Sunday it was a different weather scene and a pleasant spring day brought out a good crowd to see the top of the bill matchup between Cheadle and Poynton in the Senior Flags Final. However for Timperley fans the big game was between Timperley and Cheadle in the final of the Onondaga Cup for U12s. During the season the two teams have played some quality, competitive matches so a good game was anticipated. The sides did not disappoint and in a game which swung back and forth Timperley came out on top for a deserved 12-9 win. Both teams gave performances they could be proud of.
For Timperley it has, as usual been a mixed bag of a season. All our teams have registered impressive wins and a number of disappointing losses.
Our men’s and women’s senior teams both had high ambitions but despite some impressive performances ultimately fell short.
Our Men’s A team was very competitive but in their league there were some outstanding teams particularly Cheadle A who are stacked with recent Internationals who could play in any other Premiership side.
Our B team ended up in a very tough division mainly comprising club A teams. They were, as is always the way with B and C teams, hostages to the player shortages on higher teams. All things considered our B team played with great character and determination and we should acknowledge the hard work done by, particularly John Hirst and Adam Henbury who worked hard at the thankless task of getting teams and particularly the B team onto the field.
The lowest team in any club is always a challenge and that is particularly when players do not regularly make themselves available. When you are a part of a club you have duties and obligations not only to your fellow club members but also to players from other clubs who would be deprived of a game if Timperley failed to raise a team.
Our senior Women’s team yet again played second to a powerful Oxton team.
Our Junior Girls section goes from strength with our U15 girls the highlight. The group of players who now make our 15 have been undefeated for 3 years. Quite an achievement.
Our Junior Boys programme has to compete with the curse of combination teams. It is a symptom of the decline of Junior Boys Lacrosse. Although the situation is not completely clear it seems likely that the only club to field bone fide club teams at every age group (U10, U12, U14, U16 and U19) is Timperley! Something to be proud of but a terrible comment on the state of the game. The boys’ game is not only challenged by falling numbers but also by the standards of play.

MATCH REPORTS
U12 BOYS V CHEADLE ONONDAGA CUP FINAL WON 12-9
We were blessed with sunshine unlike the u16s on the Saturday and our boys were keen to follow their success with another win for Timperley. Some nerves were inevitable but we drew first blood with a very fast early goal from Owen, though there were clear indications that Cheadle would prove to be worthy adversaries when they levelled the scoreline shortly after. Owen forced through Cheadle’s defence to score, then again Cheadle evened with a goal after a timeout. Their attacks were well organised and despite Ben marshalling our defence we needed Lucca in goal on top form. Q1 2-2

Cheadle took an early lead in the second quarter. Sam Ginger was unlucky to miss a shot but maintained his run, chased the ball down and recovered to score. After another unsuccessful Cheadle attack, Lucca cleared to Ben, who passed to Owen to score. Cheadle were very good on the face-offs but with more focus on marking Noah out of the game often found it difficult to deal with our breaks from other players, and Kuba made a great run and pass to Owen to score. Our lead was short-lived with 2 more goals from Cheadle. Another break for Tom and a great pass to Owen who had found space right in front of goal to score. Owen kept a level head to score his 4th of the quarter, closing at 7-5 to the Blues.

Timperley were pulling away early into the 3rd quarter with Noah using his pace to break away from his marker and score, before another run and pass to Sam who found the back of the net. Owen was getting more attention after his great 2nd quarter and Cheadle took advantage whilst we were a man down to score just as he was returning to play. A run from defence by Cheadle for a great solo goal inspired Ben to do the very same for a well deserved goal giving us a more comfortable lead of 10-7 at the end of Q3.

The lead was by no means safe and Cheadle again scored early in the quarter, but by this time our boys had settled more and were more organised in their attacking plays resulting in goals for both Owen and Noah. Cheadle scored again but it was too late for any comeback. A well-deserved victory for all the boys that have played a part through all the cup games and for the coaching from Jack and Nathan.

Scorers: Owen Shuttleworth 7, Noah Brennan 2, Sam Ginger 2, Ben Lawton 1

U16 BOYS V POYNTON U16 PLATE FINAL WON 8-6
After a trying season dogged by a small squad and at times a lack of self-belief, their day in the limelight dawned. A place in the Plate Final after an excellent performance in the semi-final against Stockport, undoubtedly our best performance of the season. The full squad of 11 U16s were all available and we were also ably assisted by 3 U14’s who have played for us throughout our cup games this season – Laurie Bailey, Angus Gilchrist and Alfie Jenkins.
The weather was shocking, overcast or bucketing it down at times throughout the game. The lads arrived at the ground early and were all clearly in a positive frame of mind, going out to warm-up in the pouring rain some 40 minutes before face-off. The team looked sharp in the warm-up and for once appeared not to be exhibiting the Timperley trademark of being asleep for the first quarter.
Indeed that is what happened, from the whistle Timperley came haring out of the starting blocks and within the first 5 minutes had gained a four goal lead. Goals from Jack O (2), Tom and Laurie. Poynton did not know what hit them and struggled to get into the game. However they did pull one back at the end of the quarter (4-1).
In the 2nd Quarter we held the ball for significant periods of time and passed the ball around well but were overly cautious in our attacking play. Scoring just the one goal from Tom. Poynton were starting to come back into the game with a barrage of shots peppering George in goal but he held firm and kept a clean sheet brilliantly (5-1).
The third quarter saw more of the same, long periods of possession from both sides but only the one goal from Poynton. But they easily had at least ten more on target shots, all handled superbly by George (5-2).
The fourth quarter started well with an early goal from Tom (6-2), Poynton then got 2 quick goals (6-4) and the nerves started to fray a little, this was soon placated by 2 goals in return from Jack O and Ewan (8-4). Then in the last 5 minutes we began to give away silly penalties and Poynton responded with 2 goals whilst we were a man down (8-6). For the last 2 minutes Ewan, Tom and Jack ran the ball down behind goal.
In many ways this was an unexpected victory as Poynton were undoubtedly favourites to win with the bigger and older squad, however our team spirit, commitment and determination were just too much on the day. They just could not claw back from those initial 4 goals at the off.
All the players performed brilliantly but there was one stand out for me – George Jenkins take a bow, he displayed some of the best goalkeeping I have seen throughout my Junior Management career. He is a star of the future and Timperley need to investing time into developing his potential.
Many thanks to the coaching efforts of Tim, Sam and of course Dan (it was a shame he was not present to see it).
For half the squad this was their final Junior game and what a great way to go out, they now have U19 and Seniors to look forward to next year. I have been involved with this team for 4 years and can honestly say I have enjoyed immensely watching them develop into the players that they have become and the achievements they have made. We have lost a few players along the way but the core has remained and it has been great to watch them grow up and start to shoulder responsibility for themselves and their team mates on the playing field.
Scorers: Jack O’Mahoney 3, Tom Wallis 3, Ewan Ginger 1, Laurie Bailey 1

NEWS

CONGRATULATIONS
Alice Allan, one of our impressive U15 players made an outstanding international debut for Scotland U19 in the Home Internationals a few weeks ago. It has just been announced by Scotland that Alice has been chosen on the Scotland squad which will take part in the U19 World Cup later this year in Canada.
Huge congratulations to Alice. It is a wonderful achievement for an u15 player. Enjoy Canada. You have the support of everyone at Timperley Lacrosse Club.

SENIOR AWARDS
Mens U19
Player of the Year - Ed Loveland, Coaches Award - Owen Atkinson, Most Improved - Luke Frahill-Jones, MVP - Harry Alty
B Team
MVP Defence - Lucas Schofield, MVP Offence - Will Greaves, MVP - Will Greaves
A Team
Player of the Year - Ed Loveland, MVP Offense - Paddy McGowan, MVP Defense - Mike Smith, MVP - Gregor Allen
1st Team
Player of the Year - Tommy Kirkland, MVP Defence - Jason Armstrong , MVP Offence - Mike Armstrong , MVP - Tom Bracegirdle, Players Player - Tom Bracegirdle
Women's:
Defence - Holly Phelps, Attack - Kat Swallow, MVP - Kat Swallow, Players Player - Georgie Aynsley
RIP Davey - John Hirst
Rising Star - Men - Ollie Lee; Women - Ellie Racle

Lacrosse Section Report 2018-19 – Adam Henbrey
The 2018/19 season has undoubtedly been a year for the junior section of the club. With the women’s seniors narrowly missing out on an elusive league title and the men’s seniors having a season to forget it fell to the juniors to bring home the silverware.
With young player recruitment being an ongoing issue for most Lacrosse clubs across the country Timperley continues to support and grow the game proving quality coaches into schools within the local community.
On the Pitch
• Women Section
o The U11 girls’ team don’t participate in a league at this age group but do take part in friendlies throughout the season. This has been another productive season with lots of development and progression from many individuals which is crucial before moving up the next more structured and competitive age bracket.
o The U13 girls unfortunately had a sluggish start to the season. With overlapping weekends for the first two weeks of the season with School tournaments Timperley wasn’t at full strength. If not for these two losses the final league standings could have been much different to the 3rds place position achieved.
o The shining jewel of the women’s section must be the U15 girls’ team. Not being content with winning the league, the cup and the Christmas 8’s tournament Timperley hosts they then moved up to challenging and defeating Manchester Uni’s A&B teams.
o Not quite the same fairy tale for the U18 girls’ team who had a very challenging time this season sadly loosing every game. However, with several U15 girls transitioning up next season the future for the U18 team looks bright.
o The Senior women continue to dominate league however narrowly missed out on the title having only lost to champions Oxton.
• Men’s Section
o Each of the three junior teams all had a strong season however it was the U12 boys who successfully defeated Cheadle at the Flags Final Weekends at the end of April winning the Onondaga Cup immediately followed by the U16 boys defeating Poynton to secure the Plate.
o With a number of players having left for university this season or to focus on their families the senior section was left a little depleted to the detriment of the B team. Lacking numbers and substitutes saw them finish bottom.
o The A team fell victim to last year’s success. Having done so well in the previous season to secure a spot in a very competitive league the team couldn’t quite keep to the pace however did finish 4th and reach the semi-finals of the cup. With several of the younger players really starting to make their presence felt in the A-t team it should be and an exciting and competitive season to look ahead to next year.
o The Timperley men’s senior first team is if full of experience and on their day one of the best in the country. Unfortunately, with a maturing team comes the added life responsibilities and on too many occasions weddings, stag do and holidays took priority leaving the team short. Despite an ever-closing gap in talent between the 1st and A team the youth that stepped up to play weren’t quite able to compete with the experience of the other 1st teams in the league finishing second from bottom.

A massive thanks goes out to all of the Lacrosse committee, team managers, coaches, captains and especially parents who have stepped up to referee this season. Without their continued help and support the Lacrosse section would simply fall apart.

Recognition
As usual Timperley continues to represent at club, county and country level across all age groups.
o Alice Allan – Scotland U19 at up and coming World Cup in Canada. (This is a particular stand out achievement as Alice is only 15!)
o Charlie Bell (14), Elise Humblet (15) are playing in the National Academy with Ana Green trialling for National Academy this summer
o Emma Economou is representing Scotland in the European championships with teammate Fabienne Johnson looking to coach the Spanish national team.
o Representing the A team North East
 Em Richardson, Karma Kabbani, Ana Green, Charlie Bell, Ellie Racle
o Representing the B team North East
 Kelly Cheng, Elise Humblet, Alice Allan, Jasy Torevell
o The following Mens U19 players are representing England at the U20 European Championship in Prague in July 2019; Dan Flisk, Will Greaves, Ollie Lee, Ed Loveland. Harry Alty is representing Wales at the same tournament.
o There are a large number of U19s on the training squad ahead of the 2020 U19 World Championship.
o Last summer was the Men’s senior world championships in Israel where Tommy Kirkland and Tom Bracegirdle represented England and Joe Harris represented Wales.

Despite some minor speed bumps along the way this year Timperley Lacrosse continues to be one of the key power houses in Northern Lacrosse and with an exciting pool of youth talent progressing through the ranks Timperley will be again looking to assert its dominance across all ages ranges next season.

Updated 11:30 - 3 Sep 2019 by Michael Armstrong