Monday 23 October 2017

U12s at Home to Brooklands

One feels we must be doing something right, as despite it being half term, we were still able to produce 16 U12s to play against Brooklands Lacrosse Club.  As our numbers increase, we were able to move players around and provide playing opportunities for debutants, with a first game at U12s for Lucas, Noah, Archie and Ollie, it was a delight to be involved. 
Unfortunately Brooklands could only muster 8, but they were desperate for a game, and we took the decision to provide Brooklands with 6 players (3 for the first half - Henry, Thurston and Ollie - and 3 for the 2nd half - Daniel, Archie and Alfie), which made for a good contest.
Stockport were quickly into their stride, with strong performances at face we raced to a Q1 lead of 5-0.  Brooklands chose not to take the free clear, instead asked if we could give fresh players the opportunity to face, so we swapped a lot around at face this weekend.  The second quarter was similar to the first, with a 4-1 quarter, leaving us leading 9-1 at half time.  We changed things about in the second half, moving players about, Jay and Joshua swapped in goal, and 3 different players went over to Brooklands.  And a head injury to the influential Jacob Bradbury, the final 2 quarters were an even contest, with a 3-3 and a 2-2 quarter.  Finishing 14-6.
Delighted to note that we managed 7 different scorers today, Wil (2), Jacob (2), Jay (2), Henry, George, Luca (4), Daniel (2), 4 goals assisted, but a particular favourite of mine, was Henry parker's first goal for Stockport which was assisted  by Ollie on his debut.  Both their smiles summed up the whole game, which was a very enjoyable and can only benefit both teams moving forward on their Lacrosse journey.
Big Thank You to those players who were willing to play a half for Brooklands!
No game this weekend, with a much tougher challenge the following week.

Good to See Daniel back Playing - Following an Injury

George handling like a Pro

A familiar site of Wil breaking from the back

Both Parker's in the same shot - Albeit different teams

Archie looking good on his debut

Future is looking bright

Lucas on his Debut



Look at all that space for Alfie - Pass the Ball

Alfie imposing himself at face


Jay doing well - Made some great saves in the first half

Archie working very hard

Luca on his way to one of his four

Daniel hunting down Ollie (on his one and only appearance for Brooklands)




Henry being pursued by Alfie

Joshua standing tall in only his second game





Does he stop this one at his feet?


Sam growing in stature



Monday 16 October 2017

U12s Away Day in Yorkshire

It has been a couple of years since we last played over in Sheffield, and you forget how good their facilities are, with a fantastic 3G Astro, and great clubhouse.  We wanted to use this game, to introduce as many of our new players to a game at U12s, and although disappointed to only get 9 players, we were delighted to have 9 fantastic lads willing to give it their all.  Moving 3 of our lads up to play for the U14s at Cheadle.  Debuts were given to Sam, and Joshua B, and when you consider 3 other lads were playing the 4th game ever, one could say we were travelling with an inexperienced team.  Due to Sheffield also having an inexperienced team, this decision lead to a very even contest, and certainly made the decision a good one as it was an excellent game, thoroughly enjoyed by all the spectators.
Sheffield very kindly gave us a player for the full game, Matty, to make it a 10-a-side game on a small pitch, with a couple of referee's who wanted to let the game flow.  We started with an experienced keeper (Jay), and a strong spine down the middle of the field, and an attack line of Thurston, Sam and Matty, we managed to get a 1-2 lead at the end of Q1.  Our Midfield were working very hard, with lots of running coming from Jacob and George.  Q2 was a different story, with Sheffield growing in confidence, finding some good passes and some good goal scoring opportunities gave them a 4-1 quarter leaving us trailing at half time. 
We were always going to change the keeper at half-time, as not only was Joshua making his debut, he was desperate to play in goal for the 2nd half  and made a couple of great saves.  With Jay coming out of goal, and a strong midfield of Jacob, George and Wil we managed to use some of Jay's strength, and the others energy to get us back in the game with a 2-4 quarter and going into Q4 we were evens.  As the game was close, the importance of the face was there for us all to see, and with all the guys (Jacob/George/Jay/Wil) doing well at face, we managed to gain possession more times than not and went on with a 1-4 quarter.  Leaving the final score a victory of 8-11.
5 Different scorers today, Wil, Jacob (4), Jay (2), George (3), and our Sheffield debutant Matty.
Massive thank you to our hosts, and a massive thank you to the parents who made the journey, albeit going was only 1 hour, coming home was well over 2 hours for a 36 mile journey - Oh well.

Strong Battling, fantastic running all day from Jacob

Strong defending as a unit

George put a shift in today

Wil lead by example, using his expeience


Good ground ball on a new surface
Looking at the New Stato in the background


George watching the ball

George doing a few press ups?

Joshua on his debut

Matty (on his first and only performance)

Time for a short rest

Jay bringing it round the back

Strong at face all day

Joshua executing his clear

Jay using his strength

On his way to his 2nd of the day

Sam on his debut, wanting the pass

Sam making Sheffield know he his there


Handshake's all round

Thursday 12 October 2017

U12s v Cheadle

Looking forward to Saturday's and watching the young boys in Blue play good lacrosse against good competition, is something we should all look forward too.  This Saturday we welcomed Cheadle, who are always a good side, but potentially our overall experience paid dividends this morning, with a convincing 17-3 victory.  Starting brightly, with a 5-0 Q1, and with an excellent save at his feet keeping Cheadle goalless, certainly set the tone for the game.  Q2 was a little closer, 3-2, leaving us 7-2 up at half time, another 5-0 quarter in Q3, before Q4 finished 4-.  5 Different scorers today, with only 6 goals assisted, but a good game played in the right spirit by two well drilled teams.

A meeting of such minds!

And we're off

Even as a keeper - Always wants to be ivolved

Luca about to change direction

Ever improving George showing Cheadle a clean pair of heels

A change at face, but the same result

Jay being chased by the Cheadle Hill Mob

Wills turn at face

Lots of game time for all our players

Cormack getting in on the action

Rhys turning his man well

A strong performance today


Luca on his way to scoring


A strong check by Jacob

Henry showing great promise even against bigger opposition

Will was excellent all day in defence


Midfield working hard in unison

Keep your eyes on the ball

Where is the ball?


And finally.............