LUMHC look to put past behind them and seal successful season
By Haggis
Despite some encouraging performances, it is fair to say that York came out on top during Roses 2016. A thrilling victory for the Indoor 2nd XI was a definite high point, but unfortunately that was the only victory for Lancaster, with York emerging victorious in the other indoor game and all 3 outdoor games. However, since then LUMHC have come on leaps and bounds, and will be expecting a much improved showing in York this time around. The action gets underway on Friday with the indoor hockey, before all 3 outdoor games take place on Saturday.
Indoor
Whilst the rest of the country has decided to say goodbye to Europe, staunch Remoaners LUMHC have welcomed a number of Europeans into their ranks for the 2016/17 season. Clubs still in the Schengen Area take a different attitude to hockey over the winter months to us in post-Brexit Britain, with the majority of the winter spent playing hockey indoors. This will come in handy on Friday, as Indoor 1st XI players and foreign recruits Bertie and Max can use their vast indoor experience to their advantage, alongside defender Phil and Dylan the Creeper, who also spent the majority of their teenage years playing indoor hockey. All of this means that there is a large contingent of exciting fresher talent in the Indoor 1st XI, combined with the experience of Mincey at the back and flair of second year players Liam and Dryllan.
This has had a knock-on effect to the 2nd XI as well, with a good proportion of last year's 1st XI now in the Indoor 2nd XI, which has obviously strengthened the team. Game-winner and hat-trick hero from last year Chaz is still in the mix, and provides a strong backbone to the team alongside Gaston. Whilst the boys will have to do without the Imperial Wizard, who has retired from indoor hockey, they'll be looking towards Dynamo and Bin to provide some magic up front. With the rest of LUMHC on the sidelines, a deafening atmosphere and fast-paced hockey can be expected on Friday, with hopefully LUMHC coming out on top in both games to provide some momentum before the outdoor games on Saturday.
Despite some encouraging performances, it is fair to say that York came out on top during Roses 2016. A thrilling victory for the Indoor 2nd XI was a definite high point, but unfortunately that was the only victory for Lancaster, with York emerging victorious in the other indoor game and all 3 outdoor games. However, since then LUMHC have come on leaps and bounds, and will be expecting a much improved showing in York this time around. The action gets underway on Friday with the indoor hockey, before all 3 outdoor games take place on Saturday.
Indoor
Whilst the rest of the country has decided to say goodbye to Europe, staunch Remoaners LUMHC have welcomed a number of Europeans into their ranks for the 2016/17 season. Clubs still in the Schengen Area take a different attitude to hockey over the winter months to us in post-Brexit Britain, with the majority of the winter spent playing hockey indoors. This will come in handy on Friday, as Indoor 1st XI players and foreign recruits Bertie and Max can use their vast indoor experience to their advantage, alongside defender Phil and Dylan the Creeper, who also spent the majority of their teenage years playing indoor hockey. All of this means that there is a large contingent of exciting fresher talent in the Indoor 1st XI, combined with the experience of Mincey at the back and flair of second year players Liam and Dryllan.
This has had a knock-on effect to the 2nd XI as well, with a good proportion of last year's 1st XI now in the Indoor 2nd XI, which has obviously strengthened the team. Game-winner and hat-trick hero from last year Chaz is still in the mix, and provides a strong backbone to the team alongside Gaston. Whilst the boys will have to do without the Imperial Wizard, who has retired from indoor hockey, they'll be looking towards Dynamo and Bin to provide some magic up front. With the rest of LUMHC on the sidelines, a deafening atmosphere and fast-paced hockey can be expected on Friday, with hopefully LUMHC coming out on top in both games to provide some momentum before the outdoor games on Saturday.
Outdoor
Since losing all three outdoor games on their own patch in 2016, all three LUMHC teams have improved significantly, with all three holding a very realistic chance of success York on Saturday. First up on Saturday will be the 3rd XI, who have undoubtedly improved the most out of all 3 teams. A high-quality fresher intake has meant that the team is almost unrecognisable to the one that lost 6-0 last year, something that York can vouch for, having only just squeezed past them by one very controversial goal to nil, when the two sides met in November in the cup. Since then, the chemistry between the Pride has only strengthened as they've played (and won) more and more games together. Winning the Tier 5 title was just reward for the hard work that Jolly's band of intrepid explorers have put in so far this season, and, with their Tier 5 promotion playoff sandwiched around their Roses game, these two weeks will be pivotal in deciding the success of the 3rd XI's season. The Pride have been particularly potent in attack this season, with the Dalton's trio of Ben Mackerel, Bellend and Bambi combining excellently at the top, ably assisted by Audrey and Jordan Belfort in attacking midfield positions. They'll be looking to score LUMHC's first outdoor goal in two years to set the tone early on Saturday morning.
Next up will be the 2nd XI, who have enjoyed a season for the ages. Winning every single one of their league games meant that Hopeless' Barmy Army was promoted to Division 3A for the first time in the team's history. The team has relied upon a potent combination of clinical attacking play and mean defence, having scored 32 goals and conceded only 4. A large part of this is down to a high-quality midfield, with vice-captain Ted patrolling in front of the back four, giving Flo and Leggings licence to roam in front of him. The depth of the squad has also proved crucial, with the likes of Pete, Foreman and Jaws providing dynamism from the bench, meaning that the pressure on York will be unrelenting throughout the game. The 2nd XI will be hoping for their best performance in York, which should be enough to see off the White Rose and crown a perfect season.
Rounding off the afternoon will be the 1st XI, ably led by captain Gaston. After two disappointing seasons in a row, Lancaster's finest have bounced back expertly this season, with their aggressive and lightning-quick brand of hockey proving to be too much for many teams in the North West of England. The boys agonisingly missed out on promotion from Division 2A on the last day of the season, but with a great intake of freshers this year, they are well-placed for another title challenge next season. Having scored 98 goals in 10 games, it is obvious where the 1st XI's strengths lie. Similarly to the other LUMHC teams, their strength lies in midfield, with big man Mincey sweeping in a defensive midfield position, with the flair options of Whack Jelan and Christian Sesh-Penney putting chances on a plate for Bin, Dynamo and Max to finish off. Strength in numbers is also a vital asset for the team, with the experience of Hammy Dodger and Spanish wizardry of Bertie both options from the bench. After missing out in BUCS, the 1st XI will be looking for success at Roses to cement a very encouraging season.
Since losing all three outdoor games on their own patch in 2016, all three LUMHC teams have improved significantly, with all three holding a very realistic chance of success York on Saturday. First up on Saturday will be the 3rd XI, who have undoubtedly improved the most out of all 3 teams. A high-quality fresher intake has meant that the team is almost unrecognisable to the one that lost 6-0 last year, something that York can vouch for, having only just squeezed past them by one very controversial goal to nil, when the two sides met in November in the cup. Since then, the chemistry between the Pride has only strengthened as they've played (and won) more and more games together. Winning the Tier 5 title was just reward for the hard work that Jolly's band of intrepid explorers have put in so far this season, and, with their Tier 5 promotion playoff sandwiched around their Roses game, these two weeks will be pivotal in deciding the success of the 3rd XI's season. The Pride have been particularly potent in attack this season, with the Dalton's trio of Ben Mackerel, Bellend and Bambi combining excellently at the top, ably assisted by Audrey and Jordan Belfort in attacking midfield positions. They'll be looking to score LUMHC's first outdoor goal in two years to set the tone early on Saturday morning.
Next up will be the 2nd XI, who have enjoyed a season for the ages. Winning every single one of their league games meant that Hopeless' Barmy Army was promoted to Division 3A for the first time in the team's history. The team has relied upon a potent combination of clinical attacking play and mean defence, having scored 32 goals and conceded only 4. A large part of this is down to a high-quality midfield, with vice-captain Ted patrolling in front of the back four, giving Flo and Leggings licence to roam in front of him. The depth of the squad has also proved crucial, with the likes of Pete, Foreman and Jaws providing dynamism from the bench, meaning that the pressure on York will be unrelenting throughout the game. The 2nd XI will be hoping for their best performance in York, which should be enough to see off the White Rose and crown a perfect season.
Rounding off the afternoon will be the 1st XI, ably led by captain Gaston. After two disappointing seasons in a row, Lancaster's finest have bounced back expertly this season, with their aggressive and lightning-quick brand of hockey proving to be too much for many teams in the North West of England. The boys agonisingly missed out on promotion from Division 2A on the last day of the season, but with a great intake of freshers this year, they are well-placed for another title challenge next season. Having scored 98 goals in 10 games, it is obvious where the 1st XI's strengths lie. Similarly to the other LUMHC teams, their strength lies in midfield, with big man Mincey sweeping in a defensive midfield position, with the flair options of Whack Jelan and Christian Sesh-Penney putting chances on a plate for Bin, Dynamo and Max to finish off. Strength in numbers is also a vital asset for the team, with the experience of Hammy Dodger and Spanish wizardry of Bertie both options from the bench. After missing out in BUCS, the 1st XI will be looking for success at Roses to cement a very encouraging season.
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