by Robert Jones and Nathan Parker
AS THE new season approaches, both Swansea and USW men’s lacrosse sides were looking to make a big statement before the competitive fixtures began.
In the early afternoon affair between the women’s sides, Swansea came away with a superb 16-0 victory over USW.
The men’s encounter was no different, as Swansea who had a considerably larger squad to choose from, delivered a performance that they hope will lead to big results for the upcoming season.
For those new to lacrosse, the game is played with a high level of intensity, and this encounter had it and much more.
Swansea had the first attack of the game and made it count as Henry Phillips collected the ball from his own area. He then started a blistering run of over 40 yards, which ended with a stunning right-handed shot from 20 yards out, giving the visitors an early lead.
USW were quick to react, with No.11 taking advantage of some slack defending from Swansea down the left hand side of the defence. It was a calm and collected finish from the home side.
The goal seemed to kick-start what can only been described as an onslaught from the away side. Swansea quickly took the lead again, when Jacob Troth slotted home from the centre of USW’s area.
Swansea were looking impressive and Phillips, who was at the heart of the visitors’ attacking play, began a run from his own area that was reminiscent of his first goal. The outcome was the same, with his powerful shot leaving the USW keeper with no chance as Swansea took a 3-1 lead.
Swansea were growing in confidence and maneuvering the ball with ease. Captain George Henderson was a constant threat in the middle of the field and he stepped forward from long range to fire home a fourth for Swansea and his first.
Henderson was not done there as he quickly managed a brace for the visitors. His second goal was very similar to his previous, but this time he scored with his left hand, showing incredible skills and power with his effort.
USW were leaking goals at this point and Swansea soon grabbed a sixth. It was Cormac Anderson who got his name on the scoresheet, as the forward stayed calm to finish off some great build up play from Swansea.
As the second quarter started, USW once again struggled to contain the men in green. Ewan Stephenson and Troth combined for a great give and go down the left of USW’s defence, giving Troth a one-on-one with the keeper. He took full advantage and made it 7-1 to the visitors.
USW out of nowhere, made it 7-2 with No.21 pulling an unlikely goal back. USW were productive in front of goal when given the opportunity, but chances were extremely hard to come by.
Swansea were straight back on the attack with Phillips who grabbed his hat-trick, making it 8-2. Swansea were proving to be dominant in all three areas of the field, resulting in an impressive performance.
Soon after it was 9-2 with Troth the scorer again, joining Phillips on a hat-trick after a thunderous effort that rounded off a long stretch of dominance from the away team. It was 10-2 in the blink of an eye, as man of the match Phillips scored his fourth goal. The visitors were playing with great freedom, and the attitude from their players was rubbing off into their play.
With half time fast approaching Swansea still had time for another goal. This time it was Stephenson with the finish. He combined again with Troth, but this time it was role reversed with Stephenson taking the glory.
Swansea led 11-2 at half time.
Swansea started the third-quarter in the same vein they finished the second as USW looked to get a foothold on the game. Having won possession in the middle of the field though, the away team got straight onto the front foot and smacked the bar through the ever-present Jonathan Dunning.
Moments later Dunning’s misfortunes changed as he scooped home Swansea’s 12th goal of the match with a fantastic overhead throw after good work from Troth.
Just a minute later and USW’s defence was starting to creak as they conceded two-goals in as many minutes. Having allowed playmaker Phillips to guide the ball into the top corner of the net, the home defence was then breached once more after a piledriver of a shot from Henderson.
The away side weren’t done there with Henderson leading from the front and scoring Swansea’s 15th goal of the match after a huge deflection.
With USW being outfought in all departments, the home sides’ temperament was being brought into question. Swansea midfielder Sam Hurst found himself in a state of shock after USW’s Thomas Riley’s forceful challenge along with some colourful language left many wondering how the home side kept 10 men on the field.
The away team didn’t let the incident deter them though, scoring three more goals through Dunning, Cameron Turner and Nathan Reynolds. Credit must be given to the USW defence though as they managed a 0-0 score line in the final quarter to stop the landslide.
A difficult afternoon for the home side but a huge win for Swansea University who take an 18-2 victory back home with them.
USW Men’s 1st face Bournemouth Men’s 1st in the opening game of the season on October 17th at USW Sport Park.
This is the first season USW will field a women’s team in the British Universities and Colleges Sport league. They play Cardiff University Women’s 3rd side next Wednesday, also at Sport Park.
