Warwick Women’s Lacrosse: 11
Birmingham Women’s 2nds Lacrosse: 9

Spectators were treated to an unbelievably tense and close game as Warwick pulled through in the last few minutes to defeat a well-matched Birmingham side.  
           
Coming from behind to revitalise hopes of making it into the Trophy Cup Playoffs, Warwick exhibited fantastic teamwork and skill in a fast paced and nerve racking match, proving themselves as a dangerous team in a league of extremely talented sides.
           
The first few minutes served as a precursor for the rest of the match, with possession flying back and forth between either team. Some sporadic Birmingham possession saw them obtain an early goal, narrowly putting the ball past an unlucky Anna Semler. However, Warwick were quick to reply, with good attacking play from Bryony Walker and Naomi Whittaker resulting in the latter slotting the ball into the bottom left corner from an outside shot. This pattern was to carry on for the rest of the first half, with both teams looking equally potent and always staying within a goal of each other. Goals from Sophie Lovat, Fran Charles and Bryony Walker made sure that Warwick were always in the game.
           
However, the home side were to suffer a blow just before half time, with Whittaker putting Warwick in the lead with another quality goal to make the score 6-5. What followed was what can only be described as a brilliant display of ladies’ Lacrosse, as Birmingham proceeded to dominate for the last five minutes, putting 3 past the Warwick ‘keeper and making the score 8-6 to Birmingham.
           
Despite this late disappointment, the half time break perked up the Warwick team. Their mood was lifted by Helen Simpson, a fresher who hadn’t picked up a stick till this year, who subbed on at centre and subsequently won most of the draws. This combined with more great attacking work by Warwick meant both Whittaker and Walker could add to their goal tally, tying the score at 8-8. This was followed by some tense play, with possession flitting between either team. It was Birmingham, however, who were the first to break the deadlock, with some brilliant settled attacking putting them one ahead. Warwick were quick to respond, with Georgie Edewor-Thorley stunning the Birmingham ‘keeper with a shot to the crotch before picking the ball up neatly and placing it in the net.
           
With 5 minutes to go it seemed like the match was heading towards a draw, but it wasn’t to be as Warwick proved that they were to pull through. A goal from Anika Farrar gave Warwick the lead, and then 2 minutes later Lovat was to score her hatrick goal, securing an amazing Warwick victory with the score at 11-9.
           
The match has now opened up the opportunity of playing in the Trophy Cup Playoffs, but a lot is dependent on how the next few weeks pan out for Warwick. A win against Nottingham will secure their place, otherwise the result from the Birmingham match against Oxford Brookes will determine who goes through. Captain Naomi Whittaker is optimistic though, saying, “We’ve massively improved since the beginning of the season, the team’s really starting to take shape now. The match was fantastic, it was a real team effort, and Birmingham are a really nice team”. However, it seems that if the performance exhibited by Warwick in this match is repeated in a few weeks time, it is incredibly doubtful that they will miss out on a Playoff spot.