Tigers narrowly miss out on a division upset to 2nd placed St Agnes.
Liskeard Tigers 32 - 34 St Agnes [1]
Starting Line Up: GS Kirstie Chappell, GA Sophie Hocking, WA Amie Hoskin, C Jo Glossop, WD Lauren Finch, GD Holly Lemon, GK Lucy Smale. Res: Vicki Hastings & Christina Broad.
Statistically this fixture should have seen St Agnes win comfortably having only dropped one game all season whilst newly promoted Liskeard are still finding their feet. However the Tigers fought hard to disrupt their opponents.
Liskeard took the lead early in the first quarter. Key interceptions by WD Lauren Finch, and some good defensive work in the circle disrupted St Agnes’ flow but their experience settled the team towards the end and they took the quarter 10-6.
Due to the absence of centre Charlotte Randall, Liskeard had yet another new attacking line up with the return of Amie Hoskin in WA, and Jo Glossop moving to centre. Despite her absence so far this season Hoskin worked hard with Glossop linking defence and attack to feed their shooters.
An injury to GD Holly Lemon disrupted the Tigers defence, but replacement Vicki Hastings was quickly onto the court and whilst she and GK Lucy Smale had to adjust their game, Hastings’ constant interceptions from the start proved to be vital.
Heading into the third quarter 5 goals down, both teams appeared to be on fast forward. The speed throughout the court created chances for Tigers to capitalise on many loose throws and with GA Sophie Hocking finding her form with some excellent long range shooting, the Tigers won the quarter, going into the last 27-23 behind.
The final quarter proved a nail biter, St Agnes’ GK continued to cause problems for the shooters but GS and Player of the Match Kirstie Chappell kept her composure and despite missing some shots she constantly fought and converted the rebounds. Supported on the circle edge by Glossop and Hoskin the shooters brought the score level with 7 minutes to go then both teams were pretty much goal for goal until the final whistle, but despite Tigers winning the quarter, St Agnes had done enough earlier in the game and took the match 34-32.
Liskeard can be very pleased with their performance and the 2 points they fought hard for.
England star Jo Harten excited by Australia series
Jo Harten believes England have a great chance of beating the world's best team Australia when the two sides meet in next month's three-match series. England face the Aussies in Liverpool on Friday, 19 February, Nottingham (Saturday, 21 February) and London (Tuesday, 23 February). And Loughborough Lightning skipper Harten told BBC Sport the Co-Operative series promises to be tight, exciting and the perfect challenge for England. "It's great to test yourself against the best and I'm really exited because I'm in a team capable of beating them," the England shooter told BBC Sport. "We all want to be part of a team that can challenge the top side." In October England recorded their first victory over Australia in 26 years, winning 25-19 in the group stages of the World Netball Series. The Australians had their revenge in the third-place play-off, beating England and also won a one-off Test 55-44 in October. But Harten, 20, believes the historic victory in the Fast Net version of the sport proves the team have the talent to compete with the best. "It was a brilliant series last time they came over and although they pipped us in the last match we have really improved," Harten added. "We were so close and that has given us a confidence, a belief and helped the team spirit. We have a good mix of youth and experience and I'm just eager to get on the court and face them."
"We lost a one-off Test against them four or five months ago and although we lost, we learned a lot from it. The defeat was because our mistakes rather than their brilliance. Harten is also looking forward to playing in front of large, enthusiastic crowds. And the second match at the Nottingham Arena is particularly appealing. "It's a really exciting arena; it's close to home and there should be a sell-out crowd," Harten explained. But all the matches are expected to attract big crowds and Harten hopes it will also help bring in a new generation of fans. "Loads of school kids are interested and they will hopefully be inspired be what they see," she said. "But it's not just for the youngsters. "This gives you the different side of netball; perfect opportunity to take in top-class netball. It's the number one side in the world versus the number three side in the world so expect a good show." England face Australia at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Friday, 19 February. The second match is at the Nottingham Arena two days later and the final match takes place at London's O2 Arena. |
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Cougars prevail in return fixture against Storm
Storm [3] 36 - 41 Liskeard Cougars
Gabi shoots...... and scores!!
Starting line up: GK Maria Jordan, GD Sarah Skews, WD Liz Julian, C Debbie Drinkell, WA Sarah Collins, GA Lisa Webb, GS Gabi Duffey. Res – Jenny Cribb
Cougars started the new year with a well deserved victory against Redruth based Storm. Due to the Christmas break and bad weather none of the team had played together since their last meeting with Storm on december 17th when Cougars missed out by a mere 3 goals. The first quarter began strongly for Cougars with some good forward play into the shooting circle by Collins WA and captain Drinkell at C. Defensively the pairing of Jordan and Skews prevented the two Storm shooters from getting the ball at the other end and at quarter time Cougars were ahead 11- 6.
The beginning of the 2nd quarter saw Jordan replaced by Cribb at GK a necessary change as this was Jordan’s first competitive game since tearing a knee ligament back in mid November. As expected the next 2 quarters saw a come back by Storm whose shooters did well to peg the score to within 4 goals during spells of the forth quarter. With some good interceptions from Julian at WD and impeccable shooting by player of the match Duffey together with strong supporting play in the shooting circle by Webb a final victory of 41 – 36 was ensured.
