Lacrosse lose out in final

Sheffield Hallam………………….18

Cardiff ………………………………. 4

Last week, CardiffÔÇÖs menÔÇÖs lacrosse team brought home silver medals from the BUCS Trophy finals, in which they played Sheffield Hallam at the University of Surrey. Cardiff had an impressive amount of travelling support, including club members and parents, who were eager to experience the teamÔÇÖs most challenging game yet.

From the initial face-off, Hallam showed their superb lacrosse abilities, testing CardiffÔÇÖs defensive skills immediately with their fervent attacking play. CardiffÔÇÖs Joakim Schuwer scored the first goal, followed by four from Hallam, prompting Cardiff to increase their intensity.

In the second quarter, despite CardiffÔÇÖs best efforts to hold the opposition off, Hallam scored 10 goals, proving testament to their excellent stick skills and physically strong players. Will Jones-Warner scored for Cardiff, with the rest of the team showing determination in their communication and efficient transitions. The score was 14-2 to Sheffield Hallam at half time.

In the second half, Cardiff toughened their play, going into zone defence tactics, which allowed only two goals from Hallam in the third quarter. Mark LaneÔÇÖs goalkeeping was particularly commendable in the face of HallamÔÇÖs rapid shots. CardiffÔÇÖs James Gibson finished the quarter with a skilful goal, breaking through the oppositionÔÇÖs strong defence players.

In the final quarter, Silas FullerÔÇÖs artful interception of HallamÔÇÖs behind-the-back pass enabled him to sprint to the halfway line, where CardiffÔÇÖs captain Jack Ward received the ball, finishing with a run to goal and clean shot. Two more goals were then scored for Hallam by their international face-off player.

The final score was 18-4 to Sheffield Hallam, a well-deserved win for one of the countryÔÇÖs top teams. Cardiff maintained strength and played strong lacrosse throughout, enduring several injuries in their battle for the win. CardiffÔÇÖs captain Jack Ward commented that his team had several areas of play that required improvement but praised their valiant effort, having never lost heart against an extremely professional opposition.

The silver medals came as a bittersweet reward, being the menÔÇÖs lacrosse teamÔÇÖs only loss of the season so far. This week, they take on Reading once again in the second leg of their BUCS League play-off. Last weekÔÇÖs 11-3 win promises an exciting match on CardiffÔÇÖs home turf this Wednesday.

Eliza Nicholas