Cardiff ……………………………….5
Swansea ……………………………..4
The ladies’ lacrosse game got off to an electric start as Cardiff launched a string of early attacks.
A show of resilience from the Swansea ladies, however, helped to break down a number of these early attacks and created a game that was end-to-end.┬á This was quickly shut out by Cardiff’s Anjuli Seaborne, who outskilled Swansea’s defence to put the home side ahead before the five-minute mark, a goal that established the level of skill of the game.
As expected of the visitors, Swansea did their utmost to hit back, firing countless shots towards goalkeeper Cat Williams. Cardiff were tested in defence as they struggled against the likes of Swansea’s defensive winger Kate Mills, who ran all over Cardiff and got across the pitch to set up a number of chances.
By not being able to convert these chances, however, Swansea were punished again on the counter-attack by Amy Rochford, who set up Flo Barker to extend their lead to 2-0.
As half time approached, Swansea’s efforts did not go unrewarded, as Caitlin Brown caught Cardiff’s defence off-guard and pulled one back for the visitors from a well executed crease roll to make it 2-1 heading into the break.
With increased intensity in the second half, Swansea continued to hit back with a controversial goal that was contested by Cardiff but eventually stood and Swansea drew level at 2-2.
With the home crowd rallying behind their team, Cardiff’s ladies responded quickly with another goal from Barker. The visitors were clearly stunned by Cardiff’s response and the home side scored another to make it 4-2.
Just when Cardiff thought they were home and dry, Swansea’s Kavita Purohit and Cassie Bell had slotted in two goals in the space of three minutes to level the game again at 4-4. As the ladies battled on, it was evident that both sides had started to waver in the dying stages of the game.
But by getting caught on the counter yet again, Swansea were brutally punished through another goal in the dying minutes by opening scorer Seaborne, who aptly rounded off the scoring to give Cardiff a 5-4 win at the end of a hard-fought, high-octane game of Welsh Varsity lacrosse.
Alex Miarli 
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