Luckily, despite bitingly cold winds we got some Lacrosse on Friday and Saturday and Timperley enjoyed some significant success. Unfortunately, Sunday was a wipe out because of ice and snow.

It is heading for an exciting end to the season for Timperley senior teams with both the men’s 1st and women’s teams fighting for their championships, with the outcomes being in their hands. On Friday Timperley Women had an important 13-8 win over Stockport which saw them jump to the top of the table.

The Men’s team completed an outstanding double over Heaton Mersey as they followed last Sunday’s win with a narrow 10-9 away victory. On Sunday Poynton had a perhaps unexpected loss to Cheadle which means that if Timperley can complete wins over Stockport and Cheadle – always tough opposition but who we have beaten earlier in the season - then Timperley will be Champions for the first time in their history.

The season, whatever happens, has been a triumph for Timperley’s senior teams – one of the best in our history. It would be wonderful if our men and women could win their remaining games and give us a unique and historic double.

We should also not ignore the positive results of our Men’s A and B teams who have achieved a massive result in helping our junior players make the transfer to senior Lacrosse. If they play as well as we know they can our A team can achieve a second place finish.

For our girl’s junior programme we already have a trophy in the cabinet for our U15 and are hopeful for more.

It has been a mixed season for our Boy’s programme. Our U16 and U12A and B will play games this coming Saturday which could see them make Flags Final Weekend at Rochdale. However, the great triumph in my eyes is that our U14 has survived the season, played some great Lacrosse and did not become a mongrel team but maintained the integrity of Timperley Lacrosse Club. Additionally, they got a number of their players onto the English Lacrosse Talent Pathway (George Jenkins, Matt Fazal and Joe Tomlinson) and perhaps another couple who should be (at least Callum Legg and Angus Gilchrist).

MATCH REPORTS
Friday 16th March
Women’s Teams v Stockport (H) Won 13-8
It was another big game for Timperley this weekend after losing to Stockport by just 1 goal earlier in the season. Stockport arrived with a big squad and had recruited even more top-level players who didn’t play in the first fixture so we knew it was going to be a tough game.

We lacked momentum in the first 10 minutes but managed to keep up with Stockport’s goals. It was a pretty even game score-wise with both teams establishing a 2-goal lead at various points but managing to pull it back to a level score each time.

As the game progressed so did Timperley’s momentum. The second half was full of quick ball movement and excellent cutting in the attacking end. Our off-ball movement was crucial in picking apart Stockport’s defence as we focussed on pulling their international players away from the ball carrier. Perfectly-timed cuts, pin-point accurate feeds and well-placed shots made our attacking unit unstoppable.

Our defence communicated picks and slides effectively and were excellent in stopping Stockport’s drives to goal which seemed to be their only option to score as they became desperate to gain control of the game. As Stockport became visibly frustrated (much to Timperley’s delight) their defensive unit began to crumble and Timperley maintained the focus and momentum to finish with an unexpected but undoubtedly well-deserved 13-8 win.

Girl’s U13 v Norbury (H) Won 5-1
Girl’s U13 v Mellor (H) Won 4-3
On another bitterly cold Friday evening the U13s did us proud with 2 wins despite being down 2 of their strongest and most senior players.

It was the first round of the JNGL cup.

Match 1 v Norbury Won 5-1

In the first match Timperley started strong scoring the opening goal and continued to dominate the first half with a possession game.

However, Timperley was relying too much on its midfield and fast breaks down the centre to secure goals rather than using the wings and settled play. Norbury worked this out and Timperley conceded a goal.
After a team talk and in the last half of the game Timperley started to pass more to the wings and play settled around the fan to gain a strong advantage.

Goals
Zofia Jenkins 2
Katie Young 2
Tilly Young 1

Match 2 v Mellor Won 4-3
This was always going to be a tense, nail biting game and the match did not fail to deliver on this.

Timperley once again started strong and scored the opening goal.

Mellor came back quickly and scored.

Timperley demonstrated some great settled play around the fan and a strong defence against a very physical team.

For most of the match Timperley were clear by 2 goals but Mellor clawed back goals and the final result was 4:3. Overall Timperley’s performance was stronger as demonstrated by the result.

Goals
Katie Young 2
Zofia Jenkins 1
Tilly Young 1

There were notably strong performances by Natlaya Erlam, Zofia Jenkins, Olivia Clegg, Karina Henshaw and Tilly Young.

Thank you so much to the U11s who stepped up: Franzi Christian, Sophie Porter and Esme Torevell. Your valuable contribution took us to victory and we hope it was a good intro for you to a higher level game.

Saturday 17th March
Men’s 1st Team v Heaton Mersey (A) Won 9-10
Timperley faced Heaton Mersey for the 4th time this weekend. Once in the preliminary league, once in a golden goal overtime friendly/cup match and once in the league last weekend.

Timperley opened the scoring in the game but the rest of the 1st quarter belonged to Mersey. Their transition game opened up the Timperley defence on four occasions which saw them end the quarter 4-1 up

Having addressed the issues which we had seen in the first quarter, Timperley came out and put on a dominating 2nd quarter performance. The boys in blue scored five unanswered goals and swung the game around to lead 4-6 at half time.

With both teams getting battered by the wind and snow it was deemed sensible to take the half time team talks inside. Where Timperley captains called for more if the same, Mersey must have asked for more as they came out firing in the 3rd quarter. Again a spell of dominance from them saw the pendulum of the game swing into their favour as it was their turn to score five goals without reply. 9-6 going into the last quarter.

Knowing that we had already been in this position, Timperley came out calm and continued to plug away at Mersey. One goal was swiftly followed by another and then another. With five minutes left in the game the crucial goal to put ourselves ahead was converted by Jack Brook. The clock was successfully run down and 2 more points are added to our tally at this business end of the season.

Scorers

Jack Brook 3.0
Ollie White 3.0
Cam Leslie 1.1
Tom Bracegirdle 1.2
James Bates 1.2
Brendan Farrell 1.2

Men’s A Team v Mellor (A) Won 5-6
Quarter Scores
1-0
3-1
4-4
5-6

After a couple of weeks of weather related cancelations the A team were finally in action with a fixture away to Mellor. The mini Beast from the East fortunately did not cancel the game although it did add some tricky conditions for both teams.

With intermittent blizzards kicking in every 5-10 minutes it was agreed that 15 minute quarters would be played. The heavy snow also required the use of a yellow ball which was quickly determined to be a ‘slippy’ ball and swapped for an orange one. Maybe it was some South Manchester softness from Timperley or some extra Mellor hardness in the conditions but Timperley were very slow off the mark in the first half. Probably wise to put it down to a bad day at the office. The team was disappointed to be going into the half trailing 3-1. Some quick fire words from all of the team produced better play in the third quarter and things began to click in the attacking end. The vast majority of goals were scored when the snow had stopped with some great finishes from Billy Kershaw and Sam Hirst.

Goal of the game came from Tom Slater, whose majestic off ball cut was picked out by Kershaw and Mr Chairman finished well to put us 4-3 up. The final quarter saw Timperley have long spells of possession and convert some good team goals. There was excellent work throughout from Joe Harris at the face off X. Credit to Mellor for making the most of a small pitch and contesting every groundball. It may well have been a disappointing performance from Timperley but there was a doggedness shown and it was great to see that we can grind results out when not playing our best. Up next for Timperley this weekend is a double header vs Stockport and Cheadle A.

Special mention to Nigel Lord for reffing in fingerless gloves, Liz Loveland and Matt Robinson for some snowy action shots and John Hirst as the ever accurate stato. Finally, extra special mention to Jamie Southworth for going on his first proper lads holiday.

Scorers:
Billy Kershaw- 2
Ed ‘King’ Loveland- 1
Tom ‘Mr Chairman’ Slater- 1
Sam Hirst- 1

Men’s B Team v Norbury (A) Cancelled by Norbury

Boy’s U16 v Sheffield (H) Sheffield could not raise team

Boy’s U14 v Rochdale(H) Won 11-7
Our penultimate game if the season and we were playing Rochdale in blizzard conditions. We wanted to win this game and it was an opportunity to show how much we had improved under the coaching of Marius and Dan.

We played 8 aside as Rochdale are struggling for players as we have been. We started the game very well, unusual for Timperley I hear you say but yes we did. We found ourselves winning 8-0 with some lovely lacrosse and fantastic goals. At this point the blizzard got worse and we stopped playing with certain players actually asking for us to concede!!! While Rochdale took their opportunity and got right back into the game and fair credit to them but we allowed it which was very annoying.

Before we knew it Q3 was over and it was now 8-5 with Rochdale most definitely on top. Thankfully with George in net we were still up and entering the final quarter.

I took this moment to stress to the team the disappointment Marius, Dan & I were feeling at their dislike of the conditions. And no matter what teams have to fight and work to the end no matter what the situation. That and with the reorganisation that Marius implemented we took back control and won the quarter 3-2 to win be match 11-7. It was by far our best performance of the season taking everything into account

The season more or less over and the year has been one of great excitement, enjoyment, frustration but overall very enjoyable.

I would like to thank each and every one of be boys and their efforts & parents for the support they have given us.

Scorers & Assists
Joe Tomlinson 3 goals 1 assist
Callum Legg 1 goal
Matt Fazal 2 goal 1 assist
Josh 1 goal 2 assist
Cai Alty 2 goals 1 assist
Laurie Bailie 1 goal
Angus Gilchrist 1 goal

Boy’s U12A v Stockport (H) Won 18-2
This week the boys took on Stockport at home. The biggest challenge to overcome was the frequent blizzards.

Timperley got off to a flyer with Jim and Jack winning all face offs and some great work from Owen and Ben Edwards upfront led to 6 goals. With assists from Mark and Cameron and the goals coming from Jim 3, Owen 2 and Jack 1. The second quarter was much of the same with another 4 goals from Jim 2, Mark and Jack, saw Timperley rack up the goals. Solid defence at the back from Alex, Toby and Kuba restricting Stockport to just one. Halftime score 10-1.

The third quarter was more about overcoming the conditions as the wind was causing the boys to freeze and the snow making it difficult to see but the boys carried on at the same pace and another 7 goals from Owen 3, Jim 2, Mark and Ben Edwards saw Timperley race into a 17-1 lead. The final quarter was a struggle due to all the boys suffering from the cold, except Jack who seemed to positively love the weather. A solitary goal from Jim ended the game. Final score 18-3.

Stats
Jim Hartley 8, 1
Owen Shuttleworth 5, 3
Jack Dearden 2, 1
Ben Edwards 1, 2
Mark Harrington 2, 0
Cameron Hope 0, 2
Kuba Jenkins 0, 2

Boy’s U12B v Liverpool (A) Lost 4-10
For the 3rd time this season a Timperley team ranging from 9-11(?) year olds lined up against a Liverpool team of mainly older, more experienced and physical players. The super cold conditions also added to the challenge of this 8 a side fixture that featured no substitutes.

Q1 = Liverpool 4 v Timperley 0

Despite the score much praise is due step-in keeper Oscar who was busy and performed well. When Timperley could get possession good teamwork inc. Daniel and strong running saw both Lucas and Sam go close to scoring.

Q2 = Liverpool 3 v Timperley 2

Oscar was again busy in this quarter but he impressed with 3 shots saved. At the other end both Matty and Sam scored to raise the team. When our small boys could reach up to the sticks of the Liverpool players with dispensation to play they tried bravely. Khalid worked hard.

Q3 = Liverpool 2 v Timperley 2

A drawn quarter but a victory for Timperley morale. Good goals for Noah and Sam resulted from good team play. Finn and Matty took the fight to Liverpool in midfield providing assists and shots. A shot from Sam managed to hit both posts but failed to cross the line in the opinion of the referee wearing the Liverpool Lacrosse Club fleece. Daniel worked hard.

Oscar continued to save shots and distributed the ball well.

All the boys worked hard in bitter conditions.

Q4 = Liverpool 1 v Timperley 0

And snow began to fall...

Matty battled ever stronger in midfield. Lucas won the ball and repeatedly ran strongly to pass well and created opportunities for teammates. Following a foul Finn’s pass to Lucas gave us our best change of the final quarter. Oscar continued his fine form now with more defensive assistance from the team but Liverpool got the only goal.

All the boys played a great part and whilst my notes only acknowledge highlights all the team (please cross ref with Teamer) should be name checked for the part played.

Scorers
Sam Ginger 2.0
Matty Harrison 1-0
Noah Brennan 1-0

Sunday 18th March
All Games Cancelled Snow