| Results Game 1 v Baltimore Hero's (5 - 1) Won Game 2 v Clapham (8 - 1) Won Game 3 v Putney (4 - 2) Won Game 4 v Wales Dragon (2 - 9) Lost Game 5 v West London (7 - 1) Won Game 6 - 3rd / 4th Play Off v Putney (5 - 4) Won |
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Wow…..what a tournament!!! The second year of the tournament saw welcome additions such as more teams, more lacrosse, more parties and the Pimms tent! How could any self respecting lacrosse player miss the social event of the season? Lacrosse players from the USA, from 'Team Australia' aka Hampstead first string attack, from Germany, even from north of Watford Gap!. The UKLacrosse Sharks aka Stockport Sharks, created the upset of the tournament beating the top seeds Baltimore Hero's in their first game. Renee Ensor's E-Lacrosse-sponsored team was taken by surprise at the speed and intensity at which the Sharks started the tournament. The team made of up of mainly Stockport Lacrosse Club players displayed the fruits of an excellent season in the Northern League. After this fabulous victory, players were greeted with high fives from Coach Martin Gosnay and Shark's, UKLacrosse sponsor, Keith Wainer. Keith Wainer said "It was always our intention to build upon our men's sponsored team by entering a women's team, and the Sharks gave us that opportunity. We share in their delight with their performance, particularly against the Hero's. We believe strongly in the London Tournament and will continue to support it in every way that we can The Sharks squad of 19, blended youth and experience both on and off the field. Team Manager Kari Jones said "The London Tournament has been the perfect setting for bringing next season's young team members up to speed with senior lacrosse." Coach Martin Gosnay showed his confidence in the younger squad members by giving them good game time in the second game of the day against Clapham, a decision that may have cost them a place in the final. However, it was consistent with the team ethos and the purpose behind the tour. Captain Alex Nicholls said "Having found out that we had missed out on the final by 2 points was incredibly frustrating, but it was important that our juniors came away with good senior experience in preparation for a league campaign." The UKLacrosse Sharks lived by their motto "play hard….party harder" throughout the whole weekend. The team went to the tournament party in trendy Chelsea dressed in Hawaiian outfits. Team slaves Helena Zuppinger and Alex Bruce ensured that the team had all the beverages and nourishment they required. Breakfast on Saturday morning was not a pretty sight….but there was worse to come! The Sharks had three games on the Saturday, but surprisingly their lacrosse did not seem too affected by the revelry on Friday night. The first game saw the Sharks defeat the well-respected Southern side, Putney. The second game saw the team pick up their first defeat against tournament top seeds, the Dragons aka Wales National Squad. The third game of the day was against West London. So at the end of the round robin stages the Manchester-based team had a 4-1 record. The team would go on to win their 3rd / 4th playoff against Putney, ending the tournament with 5-1 record. Vice Capt Christine Trenell commented "It's unbelievable that we have won 5 out of 6 games but still only come 3rd". Saturday night was a great lacrosse party. Above the bar was the historic game of the 1998 World Cup Final between USA - Canada. If you were not marvelling at the amazing antics of the Gait brothers then you were marvelling at the not so amazing antics of the Hornets Lacrosse team who had stripped naked and had begun wrestling with each other in the bar!! One of the girls from the team commented later; "I went in to the bar not knowing anyone and left having made loads of new lacrosse friends". That summed up the great atmosphere of London. ."
Kari Jones
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