Stockport Metros Lacrosse

	Metros v Stockport Sharks author: Kari Jones July 15th The Sharkettes played the Stockport Metros on Sunday 15th July in a warm up scrimmage before their series of games against touring American teams this summer.
The glorious summer skies were blue and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The Sharks were instantly intimidated by the shere numbers of strong fit Metros girls all warming up, while they were still applying sun tan lotion and checking their hair and make up. The Metros had cunningly applied luminous pink and green war paint on their arms and faces in the ancient tradition of the Iroquious Indians.

The first quarter started off with a quick goal from Ruth Evans of the Sharkettes. A good draw from former Metro Hailey Wilson set that up. But the Metros fought back hard not letting this fast start deter them from their task. Lack of good position and rough checking from the Seniors, plus strong play by Alex Bruce of Wirral pulled a foul and a free position was given at the top hash. ALex put away a good goal at waist height on the Sharkettes Keeper's left hand side. At quarter time the Sharkettes were 2-1 up, being put ahead by Kari Jones, even though a confident Libby Shakeshaft in nets for the Metros, did a great job on sealing off the angles by coming right out onto the shooter. In the 2nd quarter the Metros kept bring the ball out a defence, a fit Louse Higgins for the Metros was the primary instigator of this process. Rusty handling on the side of the Sharkettes was capitalised on the ground by the Metros in this quarter. Their hard work paid off and went in at half time 3 -3, giving the seniors ladies something to think about.

By the 3rd quarter the Sharkettes had remembered how to pass and catch and were starting to recognise their team mates. Goals from Polly Wise, Anna Malkin Christine Trenell allowed the girls in blue to edge ahead. Captain Sally Brown called for a change of tactics, the Sharkettes decided to save their legs and attempt to play some settled attack as opposed to teh run and gun they were use to. 2 settled attacks broke down allowing Helena Zuppinger and Laura Ritchie to capitalise and score goals. The metros were showing fighting spirit. COming in to the last quarter the game was still competitive, but the Sharkettes, should the abillity to move the ball fast into the attack leaving the defence short, a number of fast breaks insued before the final whistle was blown. Laura Ritchie, one the Triumverate Captains felt that her team had put up a very good effort against an experienced side. She fancied her chances against the Americans saying "I agree with Coach Potts, that although we have one of the youngest sides ever, I think this is a strongest sides. We were pleased with our win against Wirral last week, and our fighting spirit today get us in touch with the Sharkettes throughtout the game." Final score was 9-6 to the Sharkettes.