U12A 20-5 Stockport [ONONDAGA CUP WINNERS]

Here they are, the all conquering U12 of 2010/11, who have finished the season with a 100% record and four trophies, confirming itself as one of the best junior teams to have played lacrosse for a long time.

[back row] Callum Townsley, Harun Wasim, Joe Hunn, Sam Hirst, Ben Williamson, Oliver Crosby, Adam Kinghorn, Pat Sugden; [front row] Matthew Stewart, Will Callaghan, Ed Loveland, Tom Cox, Dan Walker, Lewis McCauley.

The air of expectation has been hanging over this squad for the last 12 months, as it was very obvious to the managers and coaches that we had the potential to win everything this season (and anything less would in actual fact be quite disappointing).

Going into the final we'd already won three trophies and I was extremely confident that Timperley would win the fourth - what was important to me was how we played. If the game got ugly, we would dig in and play a tough, tight game to get the win; however I was really keen that we played a top quality game of lacrosse which showed the couple of hundred spectators what this team is all about. The word is out about how good this team is, so it was nice to deliver as we played an incredibly good passing game to take Stockport down by 20 goals to 5, and in the process, win the Onondaga Cup for the second year running.

So, to the game:
No slow start today; instead we were flawless for about ten minutes and built up a five goal lead, which effectively killed the final as a competitive match. We then had a flat five minutes where Stockport scored, and we were a little bit careless in what we were doing. This gave Nelly the chance to give his last “encouraging” pep talk of the season, to which the kids really responded, and we upped our game and came out firing for the rest of the match, where we really put our opponents in their place. The quarter time scores were 5-1, 11-2, 15-3, 20-5.

Every player got good game time today and everyone did their bit towards the victory. However I’d like to pick two players out; Tom Cox got on the end of a lot of good moves and did his job clinically well – this was a really nice way for him to end his 4 years on the U12A team. The second player is Sam Hirst who took the first and last faces of the day, and a whole lot in between - his tireless attitude kept him coming back for more (and winning).

The goals / (assists) were as follows:
Cox 9(1), Hunn 5(1), Loveland 2(2), Callaghan 2(2), Crosby 1(3), Kinghorn 1(1), Walker (1), Townsley (1)


Now, as I blogged 12 months ago, let's have one more look at that trophy.......

U12A 13-5 Brooklands [26th Mar]

This was our last game before the cup final in two weeks time, and it was vital that we put in a solid performance, especially given the opposition. Brooklands (for whatever reason) still believe that they were robbed in the Nationals, so today was an ideal opportunity to show them who the best U12 team in Trafford and England is.

In what is becoming an U12A habit, we started off slowly and couldn't initially get into the game. To be honest we were pretty poor in the first quarter and it ended at 1-1; the quarter time break allowed us to sort things out and and make some suggestions to the lads, which they obviously took note of. The second quarter began much better, and we started to move the ball with more purpose, and we got the long stick midfielder into the game too. Some good goals were scored by bounce shots which got us to half time with the score at 6-2. We lost a bit of momentum in the third quarter, before running away with the game in the fourth to get to a comfortable 13-5 win.

A win against Brooklands is always nice to achieve, and the result today concluded our regular season with a 100% record. We have just the one game left now, and the expectation from everyone is that Timperley will win. However, every game starts at 0-0 and we have to make sure that we turn up and play from the first whistle of the final, instead of about 20 minutes into the game. It would be a shame to perform poorly in the final - there will be a big crowd at Rochdale, and it would be great to show the neutral fan exactly what this team is about.

Goals Loveland 4, Hirst 2, Kinghorn 2, Cox 2, Williamson 1, Sugden 1, Hunn 1

U12 "Syracuse" 13-5 Poynton [26th Mar]

U12 "Hopkins" 3-6 Boardman [26th Mar]

U12 "Syracuse" 4-6 Boardman [19th Mar]

U12 "Hopkins" 9-9 Sheffield [19th Mar]

U12A 5-1 Poynton CUP SEMI FINAL [12th Mar]

"Offense sells tickets; Defense wins championships"
[Dave Thorson - an American high school basketball coach]

Never was this more true than today. By keeping our opponents to one goal almost guaranteed the win, regardless of how we played offensively.

It was tough for the spectators today as we had our second testing match against Poynton in a week. We put in a stuttering offensive performance, but the defensive unit of Matthew Stewart, Harun Wasim, Dan Walker and Pat Sugden played an absolutely immense game of lacrosse that almost earned a shut out for Timperley, and ensured that we progressed to our second consecutive Onondaga Cup Final. After numerous games where the defence has rarely seen the ball, today they stepped up and made the semi final win possible.

Poynton had a game plan and stuck to it well - from the start they decided to go for damage limitation, and played a stifling, smothering game in which they were totally intent on stopping us from playing. Our opponents approach, which took advantage of their tiny pitch, meant that the normally free wheeling and high scoring Timperley game never got going as we struggled to find space and time to play. The team did play solidly and although it was not pretty, there was never much doubt that it was going to be the Timperley parents reaching for the sat nav for another trip to Rochdale for the final.

Well done boys - a win is a win at any level of lacrosse and we now have four weeks to prepare for the final against Stockport. It should be a good weekend as we join the U16 at the Flags Festival.

Goals
Cox 2, Callaghan 1, Robins 1, Kinghorn 1

U12 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS [6th Mar]

We were two seconds from losing the final today, but a last gasp equaliser and an overtime winner changed everything and sealed the U12 National Championship with a 3-2 victory over Brooklands.
Take a bow, Matthew Stewart, Pat Sugden, Joe Hunn, Dan Walker, Harun Wasim (back row); Sam Hirst, Tom Cox, Ed Loveland, Will Callaghan, Adam Kinghorn (front row), plus Oliver Crosby (who was unable to play the final).

Today these boys played some gritty lacrosse to bring the National Championship back to Timperley for the first time in 8 years, and in doing so provided more proof that we are the best U12 team in the country.

One day tournaments throw up a random schedule of round robin matches, and it is quite possible for a lesser team to spring an upset. This happened to us last year, so we were fully focussed from the off with the aim of reaching the knock out stages with as good a record as possible. The day started well as we cruised past last year's winners Wilmslow, winning 7-0 before playing Poynton, where we won an ugly match 1-0. Next up were Cheadle Hulme (5-0) and Norbury (4-0). So far so good....we had qualified for the quarter finals in first place, but were still a long way from the final.

It came a little closer with a bazarre walkover against Wilmslow, who had apparently already headed for home, believing they had been knocked out. Strange, but we were not bothered. It saved our energy for bigger battles, and there were two coming over the horizon, firstly in the shape of a good Stockport team.

Away from the grass for the first time, saw us on the really bouncy, sandy astroturf, which initially gave us a few problems. Stockport pressed for the whole of the first half as we failed to control the game in the slightest. However, it was still 0-0 at half time and then Tom Cox then came off the bench to score a couple to get us to a 2-0 win. We were now due to face Brooklands who were into their eighth consecutive final. How do they do it? We were about to find out as the adrenaline kicked in before our most competitive game of the season.

Brooklands started well and got scored a couple of quick goals, but then showed their hand by being prepared to stall the game and run the clock down. This slowing of the game actually enabled us to get our heads together and we gradually managed to get a grip with Tom Cox scoring our first goal following a lovely passing move. 1-2 at half time then. In spite of us chasing the game, the second half was meandering to an unsatisfactory conclusion as we created chances but shot poorly.

So we arrived at 60 seconds to go in the final, Timperley were losing 1-2 and we had a man sent off. It was really looking like it was over and we'd be making our excuses all the way up the M5 and M6 back home......however, it was just not to be as this team showed it's backbone. We got our man back on and pressed the ball, won it back and moved it up the pitch. Ed Loveland had a shot but missed. 30 seconds to go. Goalie's ball back line. A bit of a scramble. My timer hit zero seconds. Surely it's gone now? Ed won the ball from somewhere and whilst being pushed to the floor laid it off to Sam Hirst. Sam drew his man and dumped the ball to Joe Hunn, who scorched one past the goalie. The equaliser, 2-2 and a whole two seconds left in the game. Cue pandemonium amongst the Timperely supporters. Out of jail? It seemed that way.
Overtime was for two minutes and there was really only going to be one winner. We were the stronger team and so it showed as Tom Cox manoevered himself into position to score our third. 60 seconds to go (again), but this time we were in front and in no mood to lose it. Possession was gained from the face, and that was that. The clock ran down with no scares giving the final score of 3-2 to Timperley. Cue more pandemonium, this time spreading to players and coaches too!


This was an incredible team effort today, with the players really working for each other and their coaches to ensure that their club won the day. Matt was only beaten twice in 6 matches; the 3 defence men of Dan, Pat and Harun interchanged seamlessly throughout the day and they all played long stick midfield when required; Will and Sam did the unglamourous hard yards in the midfield (yes we do notice!) especially at the face off; Adam provided the legs for the quick breaks; finally Tom, Ed, Joe and Oli mixed it up in attack, scoring goals and giving the opposition a variety of problems all day.

Nice effort boys!

U12 retain 6 a side trophy [27th Feb]

This afternoon, in a fantastic 6 a side tournament, the U12A retained the Tuscarora Cup that they won 12 months ago. In the final they were up against the U12B, which just goes to show the strength that the club has at this level, and is a credit to all those involved in the junior and pop programmes.

The round robin nature of the competition gives it an element of luck, and the U12A were handed three easy matches and only one against a club who we would consider serious opposition. To my mind, 4 wins would be needed to guarantee a semifinal spot.
First up were Heaton Mersey Guild who were quickly seen off 11-1, which was a nice starter. The second game was against Poynton A which was, on paper, the tough game as Poynton have some good players. However, we played some very good lacrosse to win 7-1 and almost certainly eliminate them from the competition. We then beat Boardman 9-1 and finally Poynton B 6-0, with a somewhat scrappy performance.
After four games, we had qualified for the semis, along with the two other unbeaten teams, Rochdale and Timperley B. The last semi final spot went to Mellor, who had lost one but got through on goal difference. So, there was no Poynton, Stockport or Cheadle, who were all among my pre tournament threats. Looking good then.
The draw for the semi final pitted Timperley A against Mellor and Timperley B against Rochdale, which left the chance of an all Timperley final.......it couldn't happen could it?
.....but it did - the A team beat Mellor 4-0 and the B team overcame Rochdale 3-2 with a really gutsy performance.
So the final was to be an all Timperley affair, and to be honest, it was closer than I imagined it would be. The A team looked nervous and started off playing that way, whilst the B team really believed they could win as they knew the opposition inside out.
Half time was 0-0, then Joe Hunn put the B team ahead early in the second period. The two long sticks of Harun and Dan Walker then popped up with nice goals for the A team, before Ben Williamson equalised for the B on a man up for 2-2 with about two minutes to play. This was going to the wire.
In the end though, the experience of the A team won the day as Ed Loveland got on the end of some good passing to score his 18th and 19th goals of the day to put his team 4-2 up. The A team then put in a minute of really tough riding and defending to protect the lead that they had fought so hard to get. The final whistle followed, and the two teams and their coaches came together as one to congratulate and commiserate each other at the end of a really special day for the club. Patrick McGowan (B team) was thoroughly deserving to win the MVP award in the final.

The victorious A team were:
Goal: Matthew Stewart, Defenders: Harun Wasim, Dan Walker, Midfield: Oliver Crosby (capt), Adam Kinghorn, Will Callaghan, Sam Hirst, Attack: Ed Loveland.

Well done boys - this was a tremendous victory in which the team playing the best lacrosse in the tournament won the day. Every player (apart from Matt!) scored today, and the incredibly unselfish play of everyone led to some great "team goals" getting us to the victory that Nelly, Chris and I wanted us to achieve.

U12 "Syracuse" 7-4 HMG [26th Feb]

U12A/B 17-5 Spencer [25th Feb]

Spencer are a team from London and are a bit of an unknown quantity - as it turned out they ended up giving a mixed A/B team a pretty competitive match.
At times the A team players were a bit sloppy but they dug deep enough to get the game won. What was most pleasing was the way the B team boys played - Messrs McGowan, Barker, Atkins, Burkinshaw and Roberts all showed good skills and it really shows how they have progressed over the course of the season.

Goals
Loveland 6, Crosby 4, Hirst 3, Williamson 2, Jamie 1, Hunn 1

U12A 27-7 Wilmslow [19th Feb]

Today the A team went to work on another of the Onondaga semi finalists, and without doubt, we played our best lacrosse of the season.
The first quarter had some of the most incisive play of the day as we cut Wilmslow to shreds scoring 10 unanswered goals. We were passing the ball around the cage with a great deal of confidence and skill, which led to some really satisfying goals being scored. To be doing this at U12 is great - there are U14 teams who cannot manage to do this as competently as we were managing today.

Goals
Loveland 7, Williamson 5, Hirst 4, Crosby 3, Callaghan 2, Hunn 2, Townsley 1, Jamie 1, Walker 1, Sugden 1 (first goal of the season for Pat).

The season is now building some real momentum, with a busy period of tournaments and cup games coming up in the next 4 weeks. We have two tournaments and two cup semi finals to play - plese keep up the good attendance at training, and we'll give ourselves the best shot of some glory.

U12 "Hopkins" 8-7 Mellor [19th Feb]

This was a really good win against a competitive Mellor team.

U12 "Syracuse" 11-6 Wacs [19th Feb]

A very good win for Timperley - beating a Wacs team that had earlier this season beaten the B team.

U12A 20-0 Sheffield [12th Feb]

There was a degree of payback in this performance as it was Sheffield who beat us in the final of the community games (world cup) last July, and a lot of today's team were present that day.
To that extent, it was job done, as we put in a competent performance to come away with a good win. It was by no means all one way, but having an experienced goalkeeper makes such a difference. We were almost scoring at will, whilst Sheffield were kept to zero, in spite of them creating a number of chances. Ed Loveland led the way today with a big performance of goals, creativity and immaculate ground ball.

Goals
Loveland 9, Cox 3, Crosby 2, Callaghan 2, Hunn 2, Williamson 1, Robins 1

U12B 8-1 Oldham, U12C 2-7 Oldham [12th Feb]

U12A 22-1 Rochdale [5th Feb]

This morning it rained, and rained, and then rained some more........
We could have easily cancelled the game, but both teams were willing to give it a go, and it turned out to be quite a good workout for the U12A. Playing 10 a side on half the astro (the other half being under water) was always going to be a challenge, but we certainly got some benefit from this morning's game.
Rochdale, though lacking basic ball handling skills in certain areas, were a well drilled team who set up properly and posed us some problems - the scoreline does not really reflect that they are one of the better teams we have faced this season.
Timperley scored some good goals this morning, and the whole team got good game time, with the defence and goalkeeper dealing with a lot of pressure from a couple of Rochdale's more able players.
As ever, we just need to polish our ball handling a bit more - we have the ability to win trophies this season, and we should be aiming to do that playing solid, error free lacrosse.

Goals
Cox 6, Loveland 5, Crosby 4, Callaghan 2, Hunn 2, Robins 2, Townsley 1

U12A 23-1 Stockport [29th Jan]

This was an important match for the U12. Like us, Stockport are in the semi final of the Onondaga Cup, and they have not lost for a good few weeks. It was therefore a big opportunity to show them the standards they will have to reach to remove our grip from the cup this season.
We started well, and won the first quarter 4-0. We were tentative at times on the hard pitch but managed to keep our noses in front. The key point in the game for me was towards the end of the second quarter when the score was 6-1 and Stockport were still pressing hard. Stockport called a timeout, which allowed us to reorganise. Adam Kinghorn then led an inspired charge by setting up or scoring 3 goals in the next 2 minutes, which really finished the game. Half time at 9-1 was a nice place to be.
We scored a further 7 goals in each of the next two quarters to run out 23-1 winners.
Thanks to Patrick Sugden for deputising in goal, and well done to the rest of the boys for putting in a really strong performance today.

Goals
Hunn 7, Loveland 6, Cox 3, Crosby 3, Kinghorn 3, Hirst 1

U12 "Syracuse" 4-7 Heaton Mersey [29th Jan]

The U12 "Syracuse" team took the field against Heaton Mersey, and lost a close game. It is all good experience for the youngest boys on the U12 and great that we are able to field three teams for the second week running.

U12A 22-1 Mellor [22nd Jan] CUP

This was a game that was more competitive than the scoreline suggests, and the U12A played really well to win their second round match in the Onondaga Cup. There was no messing around and we did a good job to record another comprehensive win.
The conditions were not easy, with the pitch barely taking a stud, and the temperature not rising above freezing for the whole game. Mellor competed well and made it especially hard on the groundball; however the defence remained tight, the midfield won an awful lot of ball, and the attack scored the goals to put us into the semi final for the second year running. A really good team effort.

Goals
Cox 11, Hunn 4, Crosby 3, Loveland 2, Kinghorn 2