OXFORD 1st TOO STRONG FOR WARWICK IN BUSA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

13/02/08

Oxford 1st 13 @ 3 Warwick Women's 1st

Following Warwick’s unbeaten season, their success granted them entry into the BUSA National Championship. This competition includes only the best of the nation’s leagues including top premiership opposition, which would allow the ladies to test themselves to a new level.

The draw was not kind to Warwick, with first round opposition picked to be Oxford at Cryfield, who had finished second in the Southern Premiership displacing teams such as Exeter, Bath and Bristol on the way.  Despite the known strength of the opposition, Warwick took to the game in good spirits, relishing the chance to play a significantly higher standard of Lacrosse, following their unfulfilling 28-0 thrashing of Northampton at the end of the league competition.  

In the game Oxford’s experience playing at a higher level shone through, and Warwick quickly learnt that their mistakes would be promptly punished. However the better structure of Oxfords game allowed the Warwick defence to also show their true strength, shutting out numerous planned attacks and practiced plays that clearly left Oxford frustrated. However the game was ultimately decided by the vigour of Oxfords transition where their higher fitness and speed created openings which they were well drilled to capitalise on. Warwick’s attempts to counter this by retaining an extra defender while on offence gave some respite, although this also dented the potency of the attack which had been so prolific earlier in the season.

The final score of 3-13 to Oxford, saw Warwick out of the Championship Competition, but the experience gained fulfilled Warwick’s confidence that with more testing encounters like this they do posses the ability to compete against the best.