By Neil Goulding (2010 FIL World Championship Press Officer, 07813 859986)
ENGLAND came within a whisker of springing a major shock at this year's FIL Men's World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester today as they nearly beat Australia for the first-ever time.
The hosts took Australia, bronze medallists four years ago, to the wire as their eagerly-anticipated Blue Division clash finished 8-8 at full-time.
But it was the men from Down Under who held their nerve to clinch a 10-8 victory with two goals in a dramatic final overtime period at the University of Armitage Centre.
Midfielder Tom Gosnay starred for England with a hat-trick and an assist in an impressive display, but Australia scored a goal in each period of overtime to make sure of victory and secure their first win in this year's tournament which now 29 teams competing with the Iroquois Nationals still plagued by passport problems.
"It was a great effort from the lads, that would have been a great win for us," reflected Dave Elwood, the England head coach.
Attackers Adi Bennett and Todd Baxter both bagged braces for England, while Lewis Radcliff was also on target as England, down 6-2 at half-time, bravely fought back to win the second half by the same scoreline and forced overtime.
There two assists each for attacker Nicky Watson and midfielder Evan Roberts, but Australia, led by the impressive midfielder Adam Sear, who won all four face-offs in overtime and who scored twice to deny England what would have been a famous win in front of a sold out crowd.
The rain poured in the morning, but the sun shone brightly for England's afternoon match - and the home country didn't disappoint.
Although a slow start left England with plenty to do as they slipped 3-0 down, the national side raised their game and hit back to trail 3-2.
Australia pulled ahead again, but England won the third and final quarters 3-1 respectively to force the first overtime of this year's Championships.
England keeper Ben McAllister again impressed with a solid performance in the cage, his 16 saves kept the hosts right in the thick of it.
But Aussie keeper Sam Williams had an equally-impressive afternoon at the office with 14 saves to blunt England's attacking forays.
Sear top-scored for Australia with four goals and an assist, while Leigh Perham, Alex Brown, Watson-Galbraith, Will Pickett and Jacob Egan were also on target.
"It's a mixture of emotions really after that game," added Elwood. "We came up just short today.
"There's obviously disappointment, but also a hell of a lot of pride. I don't think we've ever taken an Australian team to overtime in a round-robin game.
"Offensively we didn't play unfortunately, but defensively we were magnificent. We came out of the blocks slow, but from 6-2 down we got some momentum in the second half and it was a great effort from the lads."
