Valiant Warwick Lacrosse pipped by Leicester

Leicester Men’s 1sts 6-5 Warwick Men’s 1sts

The match began like every other has this season with Richard Gold winning the face-off and Warwick warming up by trying to settle in the Leicester half.

Unfortunately it was not the steady start as planned, as Leicester broke at speed and placed a shot to open the scoring.

Warwick hit back with attacks of their own and were wrongfully disallowed a goal when the ball was shot by Rhys Hill, but cannoned off the metal bar at the back of the goal (after crossing the goal-line) – the referee claiming not to have seen it.

This only spurred Warwick to attack with more purpose, and Jono Fernandopulle evened the score-line with a clinical finish from a feed off Sean Pillai, as part of a man up play. Possession then became quite even with both teams having chances that were saved by the goalkeepers. Eventually Leicester scored once more to take the score to 2-1 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was much the same as the first, with an even share of possession and multiple chances for both teams. The Warwick midfield worked tirelessly, as did the rest of the team who were putting in far more effort than Leicester to accommodate the lack of substitutes. The hosts managed to score again with an inside finish leaving Deelan Maru with no chance, whilst at the other end Pillai dodged his man and shot on the run to take the score to 3-2 at half-time.

The beginning of the third quarter began with Leicester attempting to penetrate the Warwick defence. However Leicester began to grow frustrated as they found their opponents’ defence impermeable, who showed a brilliant combination of communication, organisation and aggression.

Eventually Warwick’s high pressure defence forced Leicester’s error and Warwick took their chance to settle in the Leicester half. Giving our defence time to rest, the attack tried to hold onto the ball, but a lack of movement culminating from the intense running and thin squad meant Leicester forced errors by applying high pressure.

After several scrappy exchanges with several ground ball tussles on an unforgiving pitch Warwick began to find their attacking rhythm. Every attacking player from Warwick had a shot which was either saved by their keeper or narrowly off target.

Sensing his team’s frustration, Richard Gold took responsibility and dodged past his man, finishing with a shot that hit the top corner of the net. Warwick were finally level.

Warwick then took the lead on a fast break when Michael Engelen found the bottom right corner to mark his first ever BUCS goal. At the end of the third quarter Warwick were 4-3 to the good.

Unfortunately the match was beginning to take its toll on the Warwick players, especially the midfielders, was becoming evident. There were several issues and fatigue became increasingly problematic, but the drive and team spirit kept everyone going.

Leicester utilised their massive squad and started brightly, scoring with a fine finish to draw level. Gold then put Warwick back on top, driving into space and finishing low to double his tally.

However injuries and fatigue severely reduced the team’s mobility and though every single player ran valiantly, Leicester managed to score two goals late in the quarter and snatch the win from under Warwick’s nose.

The blow hit the team hard, as no one could have worked harder, but luck was not on our side today. If it had been, this match would have ended very differently.

Warwick: Maru; Hill, Lamprell, O’Neill, Davies; Pillai, Gold, White; Fernandopulle, O’Connor, Engelen.