Lutra's Championship 1 season kicked off last Saturday 16th January in Northampton with tight opening matches vs Sheffield Sharks & Leeds Sharks.
Bugsy in attack
It was the first time the teams have met this season. Leeds & Sheffield both played in BWPL Division 1 for Phase 1, dropping to Championship 1 for phase 2 after finishing 6th & 7th in Division 1 respectively. Sheffield jumped out to an early lead in the mornings game, winning the first quarter 5-3. Otter outscored Sheffield in the 2nd and at the main break the scores were 6-5. But Lutra couldn't quite close the gap, loosing the 3rd & 4th (4-3) & (5-2). And Sheffielf took the game 15-10.
Otter scorers: Gari 5, Linds 2, Helena, Shkurks & Bugsy 1.
A few hours later and Lutra were back in action against a strong Leeds side. There was nothing between the teams for most of the game. Leeds lead the first quarter (4-3), the third was a tight (1-0) & the 4th locked at (3-3). But it was Leeds 2nd quarter with 4 goals to Lutras 1 which proved the difference, allowing Leeds taking the match 12-7.
Otter scorers: Gari 4, Linds, Helena & Yedden 1.
The third game of the weekend was against a more familiar opponent Tyldesley. Lutra took the game by the scruff of the neck right from the beginning scoring 4 unanswered goals to win the first quarter (7-3). Strong defence saw Lutra shut out Tyldesley in the 2nd quarter while netting a further 4 times to lead (11-3) at the main break. Before swimming away with game in the 3rd & 4th quarter with another 10 goals to Tyldesleys 4. The 21 win was a great team effort. 7 different Otters scored, & the team gave away only two majors to Tyldesleys 6.
Otter scorers: Gari 5, Lindsey 5, Bugsy 4, Yedden 2, Helena 2, Izzy, Catherine & Alex 1.
Lutra's next games are on the 30th & 31st January in Liverpool. Full results & table can be found on the BWPL website here.