Steelers through to Junior Flags semi-finals
SHEFFIELD Steelers were back to their buoyant best as they
safely secured their passage through to the Junior Flags semi-finals
at the expense of Heaton Mersey A. The North of England League
Division One side were always in control and triumphed 12-3
to make sure of a place in the hat for the next round.
The South Yorkshire club will now meet either Cheadle A -
the defending champions - Stockport A or Norbury, who also
progressed to the Last 4. "We're delighted to have got
through to the semis, we are playing some good lacrosse at
the minute," said Mark Coups, the Steelers skipper. "The
result shows just how much we have improved this season. We
don't really mind who we get in the next round, although we
would like to avoid Stockport because they are firm favourites
to win the title this year."
Alan Kurpwieski, the Steelers' American attacker, led the
charge for the home side at the Abbeydale Sports Club with
four goals, while defender Rob Rumsey netted an important
hat-trick. Soloman Illingworth, the 16-year-old midfielder,
scored his debut goal for the first team and even Simon Jones,
the club's goalkeeper, managed to get on the mark after fast-break
attack.
"We were never in trouble but if Mersey had finished
better it could have been closer," added Coups, whose
side led throughout 4-0, 6-0 and 10-1. "The scoreline
probably did flatter us, but we're playing Mersey again this
weekend in the league and fancy our chances of winning."
Sheffield University's miserable losing run continues, but
the students did put up brave fight away to Norbury, also
in the quarter finals of the Junior Flags. But, even goals
from Rob Nugent, Tom Marsh and Dave Sen - who all scored grabbed
useful doubles - couldn't prevent Richard Wilson's team from
slipping to a 16-6 defeat.
"It took us about 30 minutes to get going and by that
time Norbury had already got their a foot in the draw for
the next round," admitted Wilson. "The boys made
a spirited fightback to bring it back to 9-6, but Norbury
took their chances and ended up running away with it in the
last quarter. "We'll have to concentrate on the league
now and our fight for survival, starting with Nottingham at
home on Saturday."
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