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Hillcroft 5 v 10 Hampstead

Quarter 1: 2 - 1
Quarter 2: 2 - 0
Quarter 3: 3 - 2
Quarter 4: 3 - 2

Stats:

Zak Jordan (2,0)
Jerry Nevin (2,0)
Alex Twiss (1,0)
Kyle Zahrybelny (0,1)
Tim Reichert (0,1)

Saves: Tom Riddlestone 16 (0.615)

Game Story:

Details to follow

MvP: Alex Darby
D*ck of the day: Seb Croft

Hillcroft 9 @ 11 Hitchin

Quarter 1: 1 - 2
Quarter 2: 1 - 2
Quarter 3: 1 - 3
Quarter 4: 6 - 4

Stats:

Zak Jordan (3,2)
Liam O'Mahoney (2,2)
Kyle Zahrybelny (1,2)
Paddy O'Leary (1,1)
Alex Twiss (1,0)
James Aris (1,0)

Saves: Tom Riddlestone 17 (0.607)

Game Story:

Hillcroft travelled to Hitchin on a cold wintry day to try and avenge their 10-8 loss at the start of the season. After a very slow start to the game Hillcroft entered the final quarter 7-3 down where they staged a comeback of sorts led mostly by captain Zak Jordan #18 (3,2), the tieing goal being a fast break started by Zak Jordan who passed to Paddy O'Leary via Kyle Zahrybelny #21 (1,2) for the assist with James Aris #8 (1,0) scoring. Hitchin then bounced back to move up to 10-7 before Hillcroft came back again eventually finishing up on the losing side by 11 goals to 9.

Hillcroft will be disappointed to have spent so much time in the penalty box, suffering multiple man down situations. This ends their 7 game unbeaten streak in the league, and they are next back in action against current league leaders Hampstead  on the 11th Feb.

MvP: Zak Jordan
D*ck of the day: Dave Bumby

Q1: 0-6

Q2: 0-4

Q3: 0-5

Q4: 3-2

Scorers:

Tom (Timmy) Paton (4)

Rob Towers (3)

Darren Evans (2)

Matthew Hare-Scott (2)

Tom Duggan (2)

Reeve Rixon (1)

Alex Harris (1)

Lee Christensen (1)

Tim Melching (1)

Game Story:

 On the sloped Welwyn home ground both teams played some good lacrosse in this quarter final match. Hillcroft came out hard in first quarter with a goal within the first three minutes from defensive middie Tom Duggan; a smart dodge in from the left and a powerful shot in the top right corner. Five more goals followed in a quarter dominated by Hillcroft winning the majority of the face-offs and maintaining possession. 

The second quarter saw four more goals unanswered from Hillcroft with the tally spread evenly through midfield and attack. An excellent play of quick passing and movement led to one of the goals of the game. A diagonal cut from the left hand side by midfielder Reeve Rixon was picked out by a fantastic feed from Lee Christensen, a smart quick-stick finish took Hillcroft into half time with a comfortable 0-10 lead.

Another goalless quarter from Welwyn saw Hillcroft extend their lead in the third quarter to 0-15. Throughout the match Welwyn showed good passing and movement in attack but were unable to penetrate the Hillcroft defense with any real threat. Hillcroft's goalkeeper Steve Flint made some good saves but remained mostly untested as many Welwyn shots blazed wide.

The fourth quarter saw Hillcroft take their foot off the gas a little, with Welwyn breaking their clean sheet and scoring three well-taken goals. Nonetheless Hillcroft kept on the pressure and scored two of their own. Overall a well fought battle that saw Welwyn overpowered by the experience of a Hillcroft side looking for back-to-back promotions in the league. 

Thanks to the Welwyn team for a great match, and some lovely grub afterwards.

Close Defenseman Ben Stothard #56 was superb in the 11-11 tie with defending champions Walcountain Blues. 

Hillcroft 11 v 11 Blues

Quarter 1: 4 - 2
Quarter 2: 3 - 4
Quarter 3: 2 - 4
Quarter 4: 2 - 1

Stats:

Zak Jordan (4,2)
Paddy O'Leary (4,0)
Alex Twiss (2,0)
Liam O'Mahoney (0,2)
James Aris (0,2)
Duncs Trenholme (1,0) 

Saves: Tom Riddlestone 17 (0.607)

Game Story:

An end to end game of lacrosse with multiple lead changes came down to the final few minutes of the game as 4th ranked Hillcroft and 2nd ranked and defending champions Blues shared the spoils.

Hillcroft opened the first quarter brightest scoring twice in succession through Paddy O'Leary (4,0). However off the resultant face-off they lost captain and face-off man Seb Croft #32 as he pulled his groin. Blues got themselves off the mark but Zak Jordan #18 (4,2) hit back to give the Hillcroft a first quarter lead.

In the second Blues began to get their game going as they started to move the ball well, although the Hillcroft defence coped well, collapsing and sliding smartly, with a few Blues opportunities denied on the crease with as defenceman James McManus #16, Pete Clayton #2 and Ben Stothard #56 put them on lockdown. Despite this both offences were able to keep the score ticking over, taking the game to 7-6 at the half. James Aris #8 (0,2) released Paddy O'Leary with a defence splitting feed to give him his fourth goal as he scored one on one.

In the third quarter the game became more physical and it became a struggle for the official to keep the game in check as both sets of players were playing hard. Blues gathered momentum and had the better of the quarter getting their first lead of the game. With the momentum and the ability to control possession at the face it looked ominous of Hillcroft, although a man up opportunity saw James Aris feed Alex Twiss #79 (2,0) cross crease to slot home and keep the score ticking over.

Going into the final quarter a goal down Hillcroft pushed to tie the game. Both defences began to dominate, as the offences tired. Hillcroft finally levelled the game through Duncs Trenholme #9 (1,0) who scored off a feed to crease and a quick-stick snap shot. Then with 2mins 40 to go retook the lead as Zak Jordan fired home from up top. Off the resultant face-off Blues gathered possession and scored off a dodge from up top to tie the game. They again won the next possession and this time had 1min 25 remaining to win it.

Off the time out Hillcroft called out a play and locked off the offense and were able to turn the ball over and clear downfield, but were unable to create a goal scoring opportunity in the final few seconds as the clock ran out on a tense battle.

Hillcroft now have a weeks rest before being back in action away at Hitchin in the next SEMLA Premiership encounter.

MvP: Paddy O'Leary
D*ck of the day: Tom Riddlestone 

TWO HILLCROFT PLAYERS NAMED IN 2012 IRISH NATIONAL ROSTER

Ireland Lacrosse announced yesterday their 23 man roster and coaching staff for the 2012 European Championships to be held in Amsterdam, NL in June of this year. Congratulations to Hillcroft stars Zak Jordan and Liam O'Mahoney who both made it onto the roster. Hillcroft captain and face-off man Zak Jordan will continue where he left off from the World Championships in 2010, Manchester while Liam O'Mahoney makes it onto the team for the first time.

Hillcroft 15 v 3 Purley

Quarter 1: 4 - 1
Quarter 2: 4 - 0
Quarter 3: 3 - 2
Quarter 4: 4 - 0

Stats:

Zak Jordan (5,0)
Tim Reichert (2,3)
James Aris (2,3)
Duncs Trenholme (3,1)
Seb Croft (2,0)
Liam O'Mahoney (1,1)

Saves: Tom Riddlestone 5 (0.625)

Game Story:
- From englishlacrosse.co.uk

Hillcroft made it six from six league wins to power into joint third spot in the league with a confident victory over Purley. The scoreline suggests an easy afternoon but, although the home team had spells of dominance, the purple tide has not completely gone out.

Purley fought hard throughout this game and will be disappointed with the goals against while Hillcroft will mark it down as another step up the ladder.

Zak Jordan #18 (5,0) netted five with Duncan Trenholme #9 (3,1) getting a hat-trick as they flared into something like their fluent best at times.

The Christmas break was obvious as the opening exchanges were anything but pretty.

James Aris #8 (2,3) started the scoring with a long shot after both teams failed to convert possession then Seb Croft #32 (2,0) made it 2-0. The scores lifted Hillcroft and they were sharper to the loose ball in broken play with Seb Croft feeding Duncs Trenholme #9 on the crease for an easy goal.
 
Tim Reichert (2,3) , a potent face-off weapon, won the re-start and charged to goal and converted with a crisp underarm shot. The visitors had a solitary Mike Barrett strike as it finished 4-1 at the quarter.
 
Purley looked composed at the back with Andrew Booth marshalling decent cover and some impressive clears. They started Q2 brightly but two quick goals from Zak Jordan, shooting out of the sun, made it 6-1 and knocked the stuffing out of Purley.

Tim Reichert was winning the lion’s share of possession and making pinpoint feeds as the lead stretched to 8-1 at half time.

Purley again had a decent amount of the ball but Hillcroft’s D had settled into an impressive and powerful rhythm. Further goals from James Aris and Duncs Trenholme killed any chances of a comeback but a measure of Purley’s team spirit came as Jason Kilpich and then Jamie Tasko, on a man-up play, breathed life into the former multi-champions.
 
But Zak Jordan got his hat-trick to make it 11-3 going into the final quarter as Hillcroft again showed flashes of their fast-paced team lacrosse game that has seen them climb into title contention. Four unanswered goals sealed the afternoon for the home team.
 
This was an example of  two teams apparently heading in opposite directions. Hillcroft will be pleased to have shaken off the rust and re-connected with the core of their attacking game while Purley need to stitch together a full game.

The powerful running and awareness of Dave Cluney and Barrett should give them a platform and they have veteran attacking threats but the crucial qualities of confidence and patience up front seem fragile at the moment.

Hillcroft move on to stiff examination of their credentials away at second placed Blues while Purley have a crucial home game against Cardiff.

MvP: Tim Reichert
D*ck of the day: James McManus

Hillcroft 5 @ 4 Spencer

Quarter 1: 2-0
Quarter 2: 4-0
Quarter 3: 5-3
Quarter 4: 5-4

Stats:

Zak Jordan (4,0)
Neal Roadley (1,0)
Alex Darby (0,1)
Liam O'Mahoney (0,1)

Saves: Tom Riddlestone 17 (0.810)

Story:

Co-Captain Zak Jordan scored four on his return from injury to lead Hillcroft past cross-town rivals Spencer in an enthralling defensive battle which for the secon week running for Hillcroft came down to the last play of the game.

Both defences were on top throughout the game, forcing turnovers and pushing the offenses into low percentage shots. Hillcroft started well, Zak Jordan #18 (4,0) winning the opening face off and driving to the cage to score himself. He scored again in the quarter as he dodged past two defenders to make it 2-0 at the quarter.

The second quarter was much of the same as Hillcrofts midfield worked tirelessly to hustle back and shut down any potential Spencer fast breaks. Zak Jordan scored twice again in the quarter, once off an LSM Alex Darby #8 (0,1) turnover and assist, who has now scored points in three consecutive games, and once unassisted as the lefty was able to shoot low past the Spencer keeper. Hillcroft enjoyed the better possession of the first half and were able to move the ball well to get some good looks on cage.

After the break Spencer finally registered a goal off a nice cut and feed move initiated behind the cage and they were within two after a pinpoint shot from a fastbreak. Hillcroft scored again after Neal Roadley (1,0) ripped it high from a Liam O'Mahoney assist. Spencer again brought it within two after an isolation dodge from up top.

The final quarter was a tense affair, dominated by the bruising defences. Spencer extended on Hillcroft forcing them into turnovers, and this paid off when 3 mins from time a clear was picked off and Spencer scored off the resultant unsettled situation. Despite a frantic last few minutes Hillcroft held on, as Pete Clayton and Ben Stothard were superb in limiting the Spencer's offenses chances.

Hillcroft can go into the festive break off a 5 game win streak in the league, taking their record to 6-3 for a well deserved rest.

MvP: Zak Jordan
D*ck of the day: Dave Bumby