Lacrosse News Update November 10
PAUL Fullerton spent the summer strutting his stuff in Australia,
starring against some of the best players in the world. But
the lure of a chance to captain Stockport, the club he joined
at the end of a four-year lacrosse scholarship in the United
States, was a big enough incentive for the experienced England
international to return to the cut-and-thrust of the North
of England League Premier Division.
And this weekend Fullerton, who believes he has developed
into a better player after his time playing for New South
Wales in the Australian Box Lacrosse League, proved just why
he is so valuable to the Beech Road club, leading from the
front with five goals as the title-chasers orchestrated a
major upset with a 15-9 victory at home to Cheadle, the defending
champions.
It was sweet success for Fullerton and his side who have
not won the domestic title since 1999, but who are now looking
strong title-contenders in second position with six victories
from seven outings this term. Having been tied at 3-3 at the
end of the first quarter, Stockport duly stepped up a gear
and thanks to further goals from Dave Bryant (3), Chris Bland
(2), Nathan Singleton, Steve Talbot, Charlie Cox, Tom Foster
and Thomas Gosnay, the promising 16-year-old attacker, never
allowed Cheadle back into the contest. "We were dominant
and luckily everything seemed to go our way," said Fullerton,
whose side led 12-5 having scored five without reply in the
third quarter. "I wanted to come back and captain the
side with Chris Bland - but we wanted to make sure it was
done ‘our way‘. I think we‘ve got it our
way now and the players we‘ve picked are really starting
to gel. Even some of the referee’s have been complimenting
us on our performances, which hasn’t happened much in
the past."
Heaton Mersey remain top of the table thanks to the sharp-shooting
of on-song midfielder James Gallagher, given the co-captaincy
this season at Oakley Villas along with fellow England international
Nick Gilmore. Gallagher became the first player to score nine
times in a match this season, while Matt Beadle hit seven,
as Mersey dispensed with bottom-of-the-table Rochdale 25-8.
Mellor, last year’s runners-up, held their nerve to
cling on to a valuable 13-10 win against Manchester Waconians
having looked well in control with a 10-2 half-time lead.
The Hodgson brothers, Daniel and Alistair, did the damage
with six and four goals respectively as Mellor moved up to
third, but Wacs, courtesy of five goals from Steve Shanahan,
made sure the Longhurst Lane side were pushed all the way.
Wilmslow skipper Dan Green top-scored with four goals as
his side fought back having trailed 2-6 to triumph 13-11 away
to Boardman & Eccles, while Danny Barrett (3), Mark Hodkin
(2), Robert Messenger (2), James Perrin and John Mountney
were also on the scoresheet.
Brooklands Hulmeians miserable losing run continued as they
were beaten 17-8 by Timperley, the south Manchester side.
Results (Saturday 8th November)
Men's North of England League - Premier Division:
Stockport 15, Cheadle 9; Mellor 13, Manchester Waconians
10; Boardman & Eccles 11, Wilmslow 13; Heaton Mersey 25,
Rochdale 8; Brooklands Hulmeians 8, Timperley 17. Division
2: Poynton 11, Stopfordians 5; Manchester Waconians A 13,
Sheffield Steelers 3; Rochdale A 6, Heaton Mersey A 12; Sheffield
University 4, Stockport A 24; Cheadle A 11, Brooklands Hulmeians
A 5; Oldham 6, Nottingham 7. Division 3: Stockport B 5, Cheadle
B 4; Ashton-under-Lyne 11, Boardman & Eccles B 4; Poynton
A 1, Mellor A 15; Heaton Mersey B 13, Manchester Waconians
B 3; Timperley A 10, Cheadle Hulme 7. Division 4: Sheffield
Steelers A 4, Heaton Mersey Guild 8; Mellor B 6, Ashton-under-Lyne
5. Division 5: Wilmslow A 11, Stockport C 1; Boardman &
Eccles B 3, Norbury 8; Cheadle C 6, Brooklands Hulmeians B
6; Manchester Waconians C 0, Heaton Mersey C 1.
Women's North Counties Tournament - Final:
Lancashire 8, Cheshire 7.
Men's South of England League - Premier Division:
Hitchin 10, Hampstead 15; Purley 17, Hillcroft 6; Oxford University
15, Penarth 2. Division 2: Bath 16, Cambridge University 0;
Buckhurst Hill 21, Croydon 1; Spencer 1, Walcountian Blues
9. Division 3: Northampton University 0, Portsmouth University
14; Southampton University 7, Hitchin A 10; UWIC 1, Bath University
5; Walcountian Blues A 27, Gloucester University 4. Friendly:
Reading Wildcats 14, RMAS 8.
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