U12A 14-9 Rochdale (Onondaga Cup Winners)

It has been a long season, during which peoples' expectations of the U12A have been forever rising. Today this group of boys won their second trophy of the season, taking the Onondaga Cup by beating a tough Rochdale team by 14 goals to 9. By winning today we kept our unbeaten season intact (played 22, won 21, drawn 1) and we can now justifiably call ourselves the best U12 team in the country.

Now to the game.....
The pitch was perfect, the sun was shining and we had a good number of spectators to cheer us on. Unfortunately, after ten minutes of the game we were losing 0-4 and things were looking decidedly grim. Time out blue, and a chance for a breather and a little chat. We weren't playing badly, but the two big kids on the Rochdale team started as if they were on fire, and we had no answer to their power. On the positive side, we were creating chances (but shooting poorly) and we knew that there was no way the Rochdale boys could continue at that pace for the whole game. A goal from Tom Cox seconds before the end of the quarter stopped the rot and gave us a good vibe as we had our quarter time team talk.
During the second quarter the Rochdale boys did start to run out of steam, and the Timperley midfield started to gain more posession. This was the crucial part of the game, and goals from James Prickett, Oli Loveland and Tom Cox got us back to 4-4, before Rochdale went ahead for the last time at 4-5. Another goal from Oli Loveland levelled it at 5-5 at half time.
Looking at the two teams at half time told the story of where the game was heading. Rochdale had blown a huge lead and their heads were down. Timperley were starting to dominate and our confidence was up, having shown great resilience to come out of a tough situation.
The third quarter was where we took control of the game, when Matthew Stewart and his defence shut Rochdale out whilst we scored three goals ourselves, to get to three quarter time at 8-5 up. We were now showing great patience, moving the ball with confidence and feeding the ball well.
The final quarter was out of character with the rest of the game, with both teams trading goals for the whole 15 minutes. Rochdale never gave up and went for route one as they started to run directly at the heart of our defence. Goals were conceded, saves were made, but all the time up the other end we were picking our way round their defence, and we outscored our opponents by six to four, giving the final score of 14-9.

Goals / (Assists)
Cox 6, O Loveland 4(1), Prickett 1(3), E Loveland 1, Hunn 1(1), Phillips 1, Crosby (2), Harris (1), Callaghan (1)

Three months ago we would have lost this game, but this team has developed a toughness since Christmas, when we have played some harder games, not had things all our own way and have learned how to scrap for a win. Today, even at 0-4, our heads never dropped and this was probably the most commendable part of today's performance. Being able to continue to play proper lacrosse when under great pressure marks this team out as winners.

The team of 2009/10 has won the first U12 trophies for three seasons, matching exactly the achievements of the 2006/7 U12 squad in winning the Onondaga and the 6 a side. The following boys have played regularly for the A team over the last seven months and deserve the plaudits that come their way.

Goal Matthew Stewart
Defence Sam Harris, Alex Ball, Dan Walker, Patrick Sugden, Harun Wasim
Midfield Oli Loveland (capt), Oliver Crosby (vice capt), James Prickett, Seb Phillips, Will Callaghan, Callum Townsley
Attack Tom Cox, Ed Loveland, Joe Hunn, Sam Hirst

Now, let's have one more look at that trophy.........

U14 Centurion Cup Flags Final: Brooklands vs Timperley

Well, after a successful season, triumph for Timperley in the cup was not to be. Brooklands were the superior team on the day and despite some valiant efforts across the team, Timperley were not on form and the hungrier team won. And Brooklands were hungry; as despite reaching the final on at least 4 previous occasions without success, they were determined to break this run. They did so with an efficiency in the first quarter leaving Timperley 6 - 0 down. The second quarter saw a stabilisation of the game with 1 a piece with some strong play from Nathan Walker and Tom Roberts. Timperley's goal was an exhibtion shot from Tim Nicol with a brilliant assist from Charlie Edwards. Unfortunately this wasn't the turning point we hoped and Brooklands marched on. Alex Winton put one on the net but the final score was 17 - 2, untypical of the season for Timperley but a justified win for Brooklands.

The challenge for the team is quite simply - to now lift up your heads, learn from the experience and reform for the 6 a side competion in 2 weeks and then for a new season!

And finally, well done for getting to the final - it shows that Timperley is a good team and has the potential to win.......next time we need to make sure we do!

last few thoughts before U14s Cup Final - Sat 10th April

YOU’VE HAD THE TRAINING, YOU HAVE A GOOD AND SOLID RECORD THIS SEASON…YOU’VE GOT TO THE FINAL. ……………….YOU ONLY JUST LOST TO BROOKLANDS LAST TIME WITH ONLY A 10 MAN TEAM (VS THEIR 16).
THERE IS NO DOUBT WE HAVE THE ABILITY & SKILL TO WIN TOMORROW …………………..

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE COMBINED POWER OF THE TEAM…RESPECT EACH OTHER, HELP EACH OTHER AND COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH EACH OTHER…….

And now an interesting case study from our feathered friends………………………….
Lessons from Geese
Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates 'uplift' for the birds that follow. By flying in a 'V' formation, the whole flock adds 71% more range than if each bird flew alone. Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are travelling on the trust of one another.
Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it. Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back in to the formation and another goose flies to the point position. Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.
Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up with their speed. Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, productivity is much greater. Individual empowerment results from quality honking.
Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock. Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
So let’s get HONKING!!!!!!

U19 - Treble Champions

Sunday 21.3.10 cometh the hour, cometh the men - well, the Under 19 team, who were aiming to complete a treble of trophies this season, having already won the Ted Donnet and league cups. The match was six weeks after the original schedule due to the snow over the winter and the team were chomping at the bit to get at Brooklands.

A super turn out of supporters were awarded with a feast of fast, skilful lacrosse. It was especially good to see many young players supporting the Under 19s and I bet many of them went home and thought that they wanted to play like that. Timperley were rocked by an opening blast from Brooklands which saw them go 0 - 2 down, but it's a sign of the Timperley maturity that they did not allow this to trouble them and they fought their way back to level the match at the end of the quarter with two goals from Greg Sandy and Ollie White.

The second quarter saw Timperley turn the screw - unusually Jay Armstrong struggled on the face but the defence held out, regained the ball and set up the attackers. Brooklands began to wobble with four minutes of penalties due to the Timperley pressure. Jack Brook was a constant threat and Timperley pressed throughout with eight shots and in was no surprise when they scored three goals to one from Brooklands, which nosed Timperley ahead.

Timperley continued to play controlled skilled lacrosse and even when down to a four man zone did not concede a goal. (This was the third time in the season when they have had a four man defence and not conceded). Ollie showed his strength and determination to score a goal, despite knowing that the huge defender was about to clatter him. Tommy Kirkland hustled and bustled and shut out the Brooklands main threat (Scotland 1 England 0). Score at quarter end 7 - 4

The crowd were getting giddy, but the Timperley team didn't and the end result was never in doubt in the fourth quarter. Timperley kept possession superbly with Brooklands having to chase all the time. Scenes of great joy and the end of the match (8 - 5) as the players celebrated a historic treble for the first time in the club's history. These celebrations went on in the bar afterwards!!

All the players played a full part in this result, this is not a one man team and they played with a confidence born of winners. The coaches Justin Hager and Rory Sanborn kept the players on track and focussed throughout the season and the team got their just rewards as they were the best team in the competitions by a mile.

23 shots, 14 on target, 8 goals (Ollie White 3, Greg Sandy 2, Jay Armstrong 1, Jack Brook 1, Elliot Shaw 1
14 face offs, 4 won.
5.5 minutes penalties
Stats by "Statto" Toby Hawksley