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Seven bid for selection

Neil Goulding
12/ 1/2006

Lacrosse

SEVEN Manchester Waconians players are among those vying for selection for the England men's World Cup team squad which will be announced at the end of the month.

Club captain Steve Shanahan, Will Stelfox, Tom Gallon, Josh Shingler, Andy Linton, Tom Caplin and Gareth Morgan were included in an initial 30-man squad which will be cut to 23.

Wacs' manager Phil Greenwood is backing his ambitious charges to gain selection for the team who, between July 13 and 22, will play defending champions United States, Canada, the Iroquois Nationals, Australia and Japan in the Blue Division at the TD Waterhouse Stadium at this year's championship in London Ontario, Canada.

"I've been very pleased with the attitude of our England players this season," praised Greenwood.

"It must be hard juggling playing for the club and for your country, but everyone has done well.

"I wish all seven of our club players the best of luck and hope they get selected for the final team."

On the field, Dominic Fitzgerald and Kevin Ryan were Wacs' stars as they started 2006 with a 15-11 victory over Timperley last weekend.

Both players scored five goals with Ian Cain adding a hat-trick, while Steve Shanahan and Nicky O'Neill were also on target.

Phil Greenwood's men led 4-2, 6-4 and then won the third quarter 5-2.

Although Wacs are unlikely to win the league title, Greenwood is hoping his side finish the season strongly and have a good run in the Daily Telegraph Senior Flags.

A quarter-final showdown with Men's North of England League Premier Division leaders Mellor awaits on Saturday (2pm).

Wacs A were beaten 15-11 by Heaton Mersey A in division two, the B team won 8-3 at Poynton A in division four, while the C side lost 9-6 against Cheadle C in Conference B of division five.