Warrington under-16s played Stretford on 15th July, welcoming their opponents to Orford Jubilee hub.
Squad - Luke (C), Katie, Ben, Conor, Dan, Emily I, Eleanor, Emma, Louis, Emily A, Lily & Matthew
1st Quarter
Warrington defend the shallow-end and quickly gain a man-up. Katie shoots, but it’s saved. Emma defends a Stretford attack; a shot is sent over the bar. Luke makes a great save and Warrington attack, as Ben is closely marked in the pit. Stretford score from a penalty, and quickly attack again. Ben is superb in defence; he then passes the ball to Emily I and moves into space, receiving the ball he shoots and scores. Stretford capitalise from a man-up and are ahead again. Emma takes a shot; the ball goes wide. The visitors counter-attack and score again. The hosts feel the pressure with a two-goal deficit. Dan passes to Ben, who passes to Emma, but the Stretford defence is strong. Warrington re-group and try again. Dan passes to Conor, who is fouled and Warrington get a penalty – Conor scores. Conor scores again with a bounce-shot to level the scores. Katie steals the ball – great play. Stretford get a man-up; the hosts defend well. In the last seconds Luke shoots, but it is saved. The tight-quarter ends level at 3-3.
2nd Quarter
The hosts are now defending the deep-end and Lily makes her under-16 debut. The visitors score with a terrific lob-shot. Katie hits the post at the other end. Stretford try a lob-shot again, but this time it goes wide. Luke sends the ball to Dan, who scores. Warrington attack again, but Stretford defend well, and the attack runs out of time. As the visitors attack again Katie defends well and Luke saves a back-hand shot. On the next Stretford attack, they score taking the lead again. Warrington get a man-up and set-up; Katie shoots sending the ball wide. She shoots again and it’s saved. Stretford attack, but run out of time. Conor hits the post. Dan blocks a shot and Warrington attack. Luke passes to Conor, who swims up, takes a bounce-shot and scores. In the next attack, Dan passes to Ben who scores putting the hosts into the lead for the first time in the match. Katie swims with the ball, she shoots and Warrington have a corner. They set-up as the visitors defend. Emily I defends well. Luke takes a shot as the quarter ends 6-5.
3rd Quarter
Dan wins the swim-off, Conor passes to Dan who hits the post. Stretford score twice without reply, taking the lead again. Warrington put some superb passes together – Katie to Emily, to Conor to Dan, to Emma, but Stretford gain possession and start an attack. No goal. Dan passes to Conor, who scores to make it level again. Another superb pass from Ben, Conor scores again and the hosts are back in the lead. A great team-goal, with passes from Ben, Dan, Conor and Emma – it’s Dan who puts the ball in the net. Stretford reply almost immediately with a goal. The visitors get a man-up and score. The game could go either way! Louis shoots but it is saved. Matthew defends well. More great passing as Conor sends the ball to Dan, who passes to Matthew who scores and the hosts take the lead again! As the buzzer goes Luke takes a shot with the score at 10-9. Very close quarter.
4th Quarter
The visitors win the swim-off and Katie defends the attack. Luke sends the ball to Dan, who shoots but the ball goes over. Stretford score from a corner. Emily I shoots and it’s saved. Ben passes to Emma, she passes to Conor who scores a terrific back-hand shot, to take the lead. Stretford get a penalty and it is level again. Luke makes a save and Warrington now get a penalty. Conor takes it and scores. Ben passes to Dan, who scores. Can the hosts maintain this lead until the final whistle? Luke makes a save then Emma takes the ball in, she shoots but it is saved. In the final minute of the game Stretford score a penalty. Luke makes a save in the last second of the match. Warrington win 13-12.
The spectators enjoyed a thrilling encounter which could have gone to either team. Well played everyone!
Goals – Ben 2, Conor 7, Dan 3, Matthew 1