It was a busy weekend for Timperley Lacrosse with some good wins but perhaps more importantly some real progress across all teams.
Big wins for the men’s and women’s 1st teams take the headlines .

The Timperley Women’s team made the long trip to Newcastle with only eleven players due to unavailability of some 8 senior players. However, Timperley carried too much fire power for the home side and came away with a 20-2 victory. For Timperley there was some welcome support from Timperley’s partner programme at Manchester University and an impressive return to the lacrosse field for Jourdan Jackson-Fayle who had a good game in defence. In attack Catherine Davies led the scorers.

Next week Timperley entertain reigning North Champions Oxton, at Stockport Road. It will be a key game in the season and undoubtedly provide a great display of top class women’s lacrosse. It's our game of the week and would be great to get a crowd of supporters down to give our women some real backing.

After last week’s tough opener against Stockport, Timperley Men's 1st team travelled to Sheffield for what on paper at least an easier fixture against Steelers. Despite a difficult journey across the Pennines Timperley came away with a 13-10 win.

A high point for Timperley was a mature and impressive debut for U19 star Oli Loveland.

After a less than ideal trip over the Pennines, the team made a poor start, down by 2 early goals with their heads and legs still in the cars. Buoyed by a quick goal from Mike Armstrong off a backline ball, fed from debutant Oli Loveland, Ollie White soon pulled us level before Armstrong and Loveland linked up again, this time Armstrong assisting Loveland. 3-2 up after a slow start hopefully would set us up to grow into the game.

The second period, we settled and asserted some authority on the game. Further goals from Loveland, White and Armstrong, as well as Josh Blower saw us take a 7-4 lead into half time. Still the game was quite carefully balanced, we struggled to kick on and really kill off the game, this was evident with the missed chances.

Notably there were some important moments in the second half that kept us in the lead. Andrew Brickell registering his goals and assists for the day, Rory Norris picking up ground balls (5) and creating transition and Matt Raven returning to the side since graduating from University – was enforcing in the defence. This would see us draw the second half 6-6, even though we gave up 2 goals late on (maybe our heads and legs were already back in the cars).

With a little bit more ruthlessness this could have been a comfortable win, but we will get the chance to play Steelers again very soon as we play Sheffield 3 times in 5 weeks with the expectation that we will improve on this performance.

Points:
Mike Armstrong (4,4)
Ollie White (4,0)
Andrew ‘Rasta’ Brickell (2,3)
Oli Loveland (2,2)
Josh Blower (1,0)
Jason Armstrong (0,1)

The Men’s A team found out again what a tough league they are in when they entertained a strong Heaton Mersey at Stockport Road. Despite a 6-14 loss there were huge signs of improvement from last week. The team competed really well and the score did not reflect the closeness of the game. There were great performances from Barney Sant in goal and from Adam Fadle in midfield.

Timperley were level 2-2 at quarter time but in the 3rd and 4th quarters Mersey finished their chances to go into the final quarter leading 12-3. Timperley did not let their heads drop and they played their best Lacrosse in the last period taking it 3-2.

Timperley goals came from Adam Fadle (3), skipper Rick Cain (2) and one from Lee Warburton.

There was some fantastic lacrosse from the Men's B team who entertained Boardman and Eccles at Stockport Road. Timperley were edged out 11-14 in an exciting game which showed some real improvement from last week.

The team is making great strides in performing its most important role which is to introduce young players from Timperley Junior Programme and from our partners Manchester Univ to senior lacrosse.

Timperley were boosted by great displays from George Altman and John Hammond. The defence was much improved from last week and had the luxury of 2 goalies, Fraser Dalgliesh and Martyn Henderson who both had fine games. The experience of Rick Rushton and Darren Kirby gave some real strength to the defence.

Timperley’s scorers were John Hammond (4,1) George Altman (3,1), Mark Healy (1,1) Joe Hunn(1,1), James Dye (1,0) Sam Hirst (1,0), Cameron Jamie (0,2)

The U16 boys scored their first win of the season with a 9-6 victory over Cheadle Hulme/Norbury. Timperley rotated their 23 man squad throughout the game and gave a better performance than last week.

Timperley took an early lead but the visitors had pulled level 4-4 by half time. The third quarter was scoreless but Timperley had a dominant 4th quarter to take the win. Joseph Wright and Joe Schaefer shared the goal keeping duties and both made some good saves. Pat McGowan was the outstanding outfield player dominating the face offs winning 16 out of 19.

Timperley goals came from Pat McGowan (4), Will Greaves (3) and Ed Loveland (2)

The U14 boys had a triangular fixture with Stockport/Norbury and Mellor. Both games ended up in defeat; 0-5 to Stockport and 3-10 to Mellor. Across both games Timperley played some good individual lacrosse but they need to operate more as a team if they are to achieve positive results.

Ollie Lee again replaced the injured Gregor Allen in the Timperley goals and made some fine saves.

Timperley goals came from Harry Alty (2) with one from Will Hirst.

The U12 boys travelled to Rochdale for a triangular fixture with Rochdale and Mellor well below full strength with 7 players unavailable for a variety of reasons. This left Timperley with only 9 players but fortunately both the opposition teams loaned us a player for their games.

In the first game Timperley took on the daunting task of playing a Mellor team who are the pre-season favourites for honours. Although Timperley lost 0-8 there were many positives and the game was even but Mellor were better finishers particularly as George Jenkins made some outstanding saves.

With a full squad a game with Mellor will be extremely interesting.
The game against Rochdale was much easier and Timperley could have had a bigger win than the 7-0 outcome. The defensive unit of Alex Moulden, Toby Podbur and Owen Harvey played well individually and as a team. In attack Tom Allen with his good positional play gave the team real balance.

Timperley goals came from Jim Hartley(3), Kai Alty(2) and Matt Fazal(1) with our Rochdale loan players scoring once.

A special mention must be made of Matt Fazal who put in an immense shift in midfield in both games winning ground balls and being prominent in both defence and attack.

The U18 girl’s team had tough opening match with older and more experienced visitors from Brooklands .The 7-21 defeat did not reflect the Timperley performance.

Brooklands started strongly and quickly built up a six goal lead which could easily have been more had it not been for some great saves from goal keeper Sarah Bailey.

The Timperley girls responded well and pulled back 3 goals before half time. The second half saw Timperley open well with the home side matching Brooklands for long periods. Towards the end Brookland’s experience began to tell and they scored 5 unanswered goals.

All in all a fighting display from the young Timperley side which showed they have real potential to develop into a strong side.

Timperley goals- Emilly Hall 3, Lauren Cheyne 1, Erin Pollard 1, Georgia Greenhalgh 1, Hope Cooke 1; Assists- Millie Wilkinson 1., Georgia Greenhalgh 1, Lexi Molnar 1, Hope Cooke 1

The U13 girls travelled to Mellor on Sunday for their first game of the season. They came away with a fine 9-5 win.

As usual Timperley made a slow start and gave away an early goal. However they were quickly into their stride and played some lovely lacrosse. The defence was well marshalled by Charlotte Christian. Prominent in some good attack play were Anna Green, Elise Humblet, Sophie Hurstone.

In goal Niamh Gribbon made some great saves and made a number of good clearances. Timperley led 6-2 and for the second half the focus was on teamwork and a number of good chances were created with the game ending 9-5 Timperley win.

Timperley goal scorers were Emma Whitely (3) Sophie Hurlstone (3) Elise Humblet (2), Anna Green (1. ) Charlotte Christian was defence Player of the Day and game MVP. Player of the Day in attack was Jodie Pollard. Anna Green was Player of the Day in Midfield.

For the U19 boys, the annual Ted Donnet Trophy took place at Brooklands on Sunday. In the qualifying round Timperley had wins over Mersey/Wacs (3-2) and Mellor (5-1) but lost to Brooklands (2-5).

In a tough semi final Timperley lost out to Poynton 3-4 on a golden goal.

Timperley’s performance saw them win a place in top league of the U19 Autumn League.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Emma Economou on her appointment as a captain of the Scotland women’s squad. Emma came through the Timperley girls’ junior programme and has had an impressive international career playing in World Cups and European Championships. Her appointment is a tribute to her outstanding leadership qualities and her great experience of international competition. It is also an honour for Timperley Lacrosse.

Also congratulations are also due to Callum Dalgleish, Pat Sugden, Dan Walker, Sam Hirst and Pat McGowan who have been selected for Lancashire U17 to play Cheshire.

LOST PR0PERTY
The new Men’s U19 Manager Kim Burgess would like to have her team looking the part (they were a bit of a rag tag in the Ted Donnet!!). Unfortunately no-one can remember what was done with the U19 strip at the end of last year’s competition. If anyone has any recollection as to what was done with the kit can they contact David Loveland or Kim Burgess.

BE A REFEREE OR UMPIRE
Timperley Lacrosse Club is a community sports club. We like to win silverware and the challenge is part of the fun. However, our main goals are to give young people the opportunity to play and enjoy lacrosse and hopefully provide the benefits of sport of by instilling values of discipline, hard work and forming friendships.

A club such as ours relies heavily on the help given by volunteers and one of the main areas where we are always shorthanded is officiating.

To be an official you do not have to have been a player (some would argue that not having played is an advantage). Age is not necessarily a disadvantage. In last week’s U12 game against Mellor the total age of the two officials was 145! There are many examples of fathers who have never played reaching the top of officiating tree. Timperley member Adam Sherlock had three children who played at Timperley and he went on to referee at World Championship and European Championships.

Why should you officiate?

• At the very least it gives you the knowledge to be able to shout from the sideline without embarrassing your offspring with your ignorance.
• If only for an hour or so each week, your children will do exactly what you tell them.
• You will be contributing to the running of a top class sports programme which we can all be proud of.

The next refereeing and umpiring courses will be held at Heaton Mersey Lacrosse Club on Sunday 18th Oct. For more information either go to the English Lacrosse website or speak to Martin Cragg, Sarah Baron or me.

CENTURION LACROSSE CLUB
The Centurion Lacrosse Club is a long established club for supporters of lacrosse is they past players, current players or supporters of the game.

The Club has, in recent years, been prominent in the promotion of lacrosse, particularly men’s lacrosse. Less than a decade ago the men’s game was restricted to around 8 universities. Now 70 Universities play men’s lacrosse with a number running 2 and 3 teams. Women’s lacrosse has long been an established University sport but it too has enjoyed strong growth in recent years. There are now over 200 teams playing lacrosse in BUCS competitions.

Centurion’s have over the years provided expert advice on setting up and running clubs and made donations of starter equipment to new clubs as well as sponsoring officiating courses and various tournaments and competitions.

The club also runs a social programme for its members including lunches in Manchester and London, canal trips, golf days and an annual dinner in the Houses of Parliament. We are currently planning an evening at Belle Vue speedway (which is owned by former lacrosse player and ex England men’s manager David Gordon) when the new national speedway stadium opens at Belle Vue Sports Village next year.

Membership of the club is only £35 a year with the bulk of that money going towards Lacrosse development.

The next Centurion event is a lunch at Davyhulme Park Golf Club on Sunday 18th Oct. It will be a good lunch for £25 a head. Alan Holdsworth and I and our wives will be going and it would be good to have some Timperley company. If you are interested please contact me.

MOHAWK LACROSSE CAMP
English Lacrosse will be running a Boys Lacrosse Camp on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th October at Timperley Lacrosse Club. This course is a first step on the journey to elite Lacrosse. For more information visit the English Lacrosse website.