WILMSLOW CROWNED NEW CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE
WILMSLOW were crowned the European Lacrosse Federation Men's Champions Cup champions yesterday (Sunday) after a weekend to remember in Germany.
Last season's quadruple title-winners tasted sweet success once again, adding yet another piece of silverware to their growing collection. Last season they won the Men's North of England League Premier Division title for the first time, as well as the Northern Senior Flags, Iroquois Cup and Wilkinson Sword titles.
That's now five titles in under a year for the Styal Road club who, when they play Stockport in the Referee's Trophy in two weeks time, have a chance to increase their impressive title-haul.
Having remained unbeaten in the group stages of this year's inaugural competition in Hamburg, Wilmslow held their nerve to record a 15-12 victory over LC Jizni Mesto, the reigning Czech domestic champions, in this year's final to become the first winner of the Champions Cup.
Mark Reynolds, the experienced England international, led the way with seven goals and two assists to claim the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, with James Perrin on song with four goals and two assists.
A double from Jonathan Aspinall and a goal each for Robert Messenger and Jason Perrin also helped the Cheshire-based club triumph, while Mike Jordan won 16 of a possible 26 face-offs.
"We didn't have our strongest team with us, but all the players stepped up to the mark. It's been a great weekend," praised Clive Perrin, the Wilmslow chairman.
Wilmslow were missing the influential Mountney brothers, John and Chris, as well as Tommy Foster.
But having finished joint first with Mesto from the group stage (albeit their had a better goal difference from their rivals), made sure they recovered from a goal down to beat their Czech opponents in the final.
Mesto struck first in the opening quarter, but Wilmslow won it 4-3, before running away with the second quarter 6-2 for a welcome 10-5 half-time lead.
The defending English northern champions won the third quarter 3-2 to lead by six goals going into the final quarter.
And despite a brave fight from their opponents, who won the final quarter 5-2, Wilmslow held on to win by three clear goals.
"The Czech team would have given any Premier Division side a run for their money," added Perrin.
"Nobody has won this competition before, so it's really nice that we are the first winners.
"I'm really pleased for the team, it's another great achievement for the club, especially after our success last season."
Wilmslow started the competition by overwhelming Dutch domestic champions Rotterdam Jaguars 22-1, before battling back from two goals down to share a 7-7 draw with Mesto in their second group match, although they hit the pipe in the last second of the match.
An 11-2 win over hosts Hamburg Warriors followed, before a hard-fought 6-4 victory over Hampstead, last season's South of England League UK Lacrosse Premier Division winners and southern Senior Flags winners.
Hampstead's defeat to Wilmslow meant they had to beat Mesto in their last group match, but a 10-4 loss saw them contest a 3rd/4th place play-off with Hamburg on the final day of the tournament. Hampstead won it 9-3 to finish third overall.
Rotterdam, who finished bottom of the qualifying group without a single point, were easily beaten 12-2 by a combined Hamburg B and C team in the competition's Consolation game.
"It was a really excellent tournament, it was so well organised," said Perrin. "The weather was horrendous all weekend, it didn't stop raining, but the facilities were first class.
"It's nice to have a European competition which really means something to the clubs. Let's hope it grows and grows, it would be nice to see more teams competing."
Hampstead started their cup campaign with a 9-3 win against Hamburg, followed by a 15-0 whitewash of Rotterdam. However, defeat to Wilmslow and then Mesto denied them a place in this season's final.
All matches last four quarters, each of which was 12 minutes in duration. Three points were awarded for a win and one for a draw in the group stage.
Results
European Lacrosse Federation Men's Champions Cup (Hamburg, Germany) - Sunday (final day of competition):
Final: Wilmslow 15 LC Jizni Mesto 12 (Quarter scores: 4-3, 6-2, 3-2, 2-5).
3rd/4th place play-off: Hamburg Warriors 3 Hampstead 9
Consolation game: Rotterdam Jaguars 2 Hamburg Warriors B&C 12.
Group matches:
Friday night: Hamburg Warriors 4 LC Jizni Mesto 9
Saturday: Wilmslow 22 Rotterdam Jaguars 1, Hamburg Warriors 3 Hampstead 9, LC Jizni Mesto 7 Wilmslow 7, Rotterdam Jaguars 0 Hampstead 15, Hamburg Warriors 2 Wilmslow 11, LC Jizni Mesto 14 Rotterdam Jaguars 3, Hampstead 4 Wilmslow 6, Hamburg Warriors 10 Rotterdam Jaguars 0, Hampstead 4 LC Jizni Mesto 10.
Final standings: Joint 1st. Wilmslow and LC Jizni Mesto (10pts), 2. Hampstead (6pts), 3. Hamburg Warriors (3pts), 4. Rotterdam Jaguars (0pts).
