CHS’s James Burns defends the goal.
Cambridge High School’s boys lacrosse team went up against last year’s season winners – Hamilton Boys High School – at their first game back from the school holidays on Sunday.
Hamilton Boys managed to get their foot in the door first scoring the first goal of the match, making it 2-1 within the first five minutes. “But out of nowhere it seemed like our team just clicked and everything I’d been coaching them in the last few months fell into place,” said their coach Anthony Murphy. “Our lads were moving into free space when they didn’t have the ball, getting free of their defenders, setting picks and the pace of our game was great.”
However, Hamilton Boys were no pushovers. Though they too had a few smaller lads, they proved to be skilful ball handlers with excellent stick skills. “Once or twice one of their smallest and youngest players got the ball and weaved through our defence to net a couple of goals, showing that speed and skill can beat size,” said Murphy.
With a fully-stocked team of players, the CHS boys managed to take the victory 7-3. “I was ecstatic with my team’s performance,” said Murphy. “Today they were moving the ball around all of our players and playing a more complex and interesting game. It requires more thinking, communication and skill, and I’m really pleased to see that my players are picking it up. I’m looking forward to seeing them improve on this into the last six weeks of the season.”
Player of the day went to the team’s goalie and co-captain James Burns. “He made three show-stopping one-on-one saves, on one occasion being peppered with shots and not allowing anything past him. He was a real rock today and helped lead the team from the rear.”
Tomorrow the team takes on Te Awamutu, 3pm at the Hamilton Inline Hockey Centre, Old Farm Rd, Hamilton.
