Cougars pull of an impressive home victory to help Panthers’ promotion hopes!
Liskeard Cougars 35 - 26 Camborne Park
Starting Line up: GS Gabi Duffey GA Lisa Webb WA Sarah Collins C Emma Dawson WD Erin Down GD Vicki Hastings GK Sarah Skews Res Debbie Drinkell & Liz Julian
Cougars knew that a win against Camborne Park would help Promotion chasing Panthers so the brief at the start of the match was to start quickly and not allow Park to gain an early advantage. With Captain Drinkell starting on the bench, new player Emma Dalton started at Centre and Cougars soon capitalised on a disorganised Camborne Park, leading 8 - 5 at quarter time
Defensively Skews & Hastings put immense pressure on the Park shooters during the second quarter, intercepting and disrupting the Camborne Park attack, linking well with Down who made herself continually available for the through ball. New partnership Collins and Dawson worked tirelessly driving the ball forward and into the shooting circle, and Cougars ended the half leading 20 – 13.
Drinkell came on at Centre with Dawson replacing Collins at WA at the beginning of the third quarter. This was a fast paced quarter with both sides making errors but it was the home side who prevailed, with Duffey and Webb making some spectacular long shots to lead 30 – 19 going into the final quarter.
Park came out fighting in the fourth quarter with some physical challenges, Cougars failed to take advantage of some of the penalty passes and shots but some amazing interceptions from Hastings and Skews ensured that Park did not add too many goals. Park defended well in the last quarter with both WD and C double marking Drinkell preventing her from driving forward. Dawson and Down however worked hard to maintain the forward momentum ensuring a final score of Cougars 35 Camborne Park 26.
Player of the match was awarded to GS Duffey for her consistency and drive during the match
Thanks to June Jack for umpiring and Reserve Liz Julian.
Panthers edge ever closer to promotion with a comfortable away win against Storm!
Storm [3] 10 - 27 Liskeard Panthers
Liskeard Panthers travelled to Redruth on Friday, feeling confident that they could continue their winning streak against Storm 3.
Without their star shooter Christina Broad, and with GD Vicki Hastings also unavailable, the Panthers line up was changed yet again with Gaby Duffy stepping into GS, and two new additions to the club, Emma Dalton & Erin Downe travelling with the team to help out in defence. The starting line-up was therefore: GS Gaby Duffy, GA Vicky Ford, WA Kerry Elliott, C Siobhan Howe, WD Sophie Thomas, GD Erin Down, GK Kay Barker. Res Emma Dalton.
Liskeard didn’t get off to the best of starts, and 7 minutes in Storm were 3-1 up, but the Panthers soon adjusted to their new line up, slowing down and settling into their game, and by the end of the first quarter they were 7-3 up.
As the game continued Panthers worked hard, keeping a slow and steady pace and moving the ball swiftly and directly towards the goal. The partnership between Howe & Elliott again proved very successful, with controlled movement down the court and direct passing into the shooters, who worked tirelessly to ensure the goals were scored.
The score could have been much closer had it not been for the excellent defending by Barker, Down & Thomas, Storm being penalised numerous times for held balls due to the fact they just could not get past Panthers’ defence.
Dalton came on for Thomas at half time and proved to be an asset to the team, determined to gain possession of the ball at every opportunity.
The Panthers worked hard to the very end, more than doubling the home team’s score with a win of 27 - 10 and taking 5 points for their efforts which is much needed in their battle for promotion this season.
Erin Down was rewarded for her hard work and excellent defending throughout, being named Player of The Match on her debut for the team.
Panthers face Storm again on Thursday 1st April at Lux Park Leisure Centre - 8.45pm.
Tigers’ place in Division 2 hangs in the balance after a narrow loss to Predators
Tigers 41 - 45 Predators [2]
Starting Line Up: GK Lucy Smale GD Holly Lemon WD Lauren Finch C Charlotte Randall WA Jo Glossop GA Sophie Hocking GS Kirstie Chappell. Res Amie Hoskin.
Liskeard Tigers’ final game of the season proved to be a tough, physical encounter with both teams needing a win to ensure their place in Division 2 next season.
Predators started the stronger side, quickly going 5 goals ahead. Despite Tigers pulling the scores back to level at one point, Predators took the first quarter 14-10.
Defensively the Tigers struggled, but some key interceptions by Lemon, Finch and Randall disrupted Predators’ play. Liskeard began to take control of the game, with good long-range shots from Chappell and excellent movement in the circle by Hocking.
An injury to Lemon meant the Tigers needed to change their line up, bringing Hoskin off the bench into WA, Glossop moving to Centre and Randall dropping back to GD. Fresh legs in attack helped get the ball into the shooters, working the ball around the circle giving them the best chances at goal to keep the scores close. Going into the last Liskeard were behind by just one goal.
Smale and Randall doubled up on the dominant GS with Glossop and Finch working tirelessly to restrict the movement of the GA outside of the circle. However, despite the Tigers fighting to the end, Predators edged in front and took the game by 4 goals to win 45 - 41.
It was a much needed 2 points for the Tigers, but with their campaign now complete they are dependant on other teams as to whether they will be playing in Division 2 again next season.
Tigers take it to the wire but come out on top against St Just
Liskeard Tigers 30 - 29 St Just
GK Lucy Smale GD Charotte Randall WD Lauren Finch C Jo Glossop WA Amie Hoskin GA Sophie Hocking GS Kirstie Chappell
Liskeard Tigers travelled to Truro for the second time in a week to meet bottom of the table St Just.
The Tigers were slow to start which St Just capitalised on, many turnovers in the mid-court due to the sloppy passing, and with the St Just defence dominant from the start, they took the quarter 8-4.
The Tigers began to settle down, and strong passing in the mid-court backed up by both Randall and Finch meant that Liskeard looked after the ball, reducing the turnovers and giving the shooters more chance at goal. Hocking and Chappell needed to be patient with their play but this paid off and the Tigers drew the quarter 6-6.
Defensively Smale and Randall were getting used to their new partnership, strong defence in the circle with close marking led to the rebounds and turnovers. The Tigers started to slowly claw back the deficit, working hard to feed the ball down the court through Hoskin and Glossop. By playing their own game and settling down, Liskeard won the quarter, drawing the scores level going into the last.
A nail biting final quarter saw Liskeard take the lead early on, only for St Just to come back and go 3 ahead. But the Tigers upped the pressure working the ball around the circle and despite Hocking taking a few knocks, she and Chappell were back to form and their long-range shooting and rebounds meant the girls pulled it back. It was goal for goal in the final minutes but strong passes by Player of the Match Hoskin and Centre Glossop gave Liskeard the edge to eventually win the match 30-29.
It was a much needed five points if the Tigers are to keep their place in Division 2. Their final game is at home to Predators on 18th March, please come along and show your support.
Cougars fight to the last for a draw against Bodmin
Bodmin [4] 27 - 27 Liskeard Cougars
Starting line up: GK Sarah Skews, GD Vicki Hastings, WD Liz Julian, C Debbie Drinkell, WA Sarah Collins, GA Lisa Webb, GS Gaby Duffey. Res Jenny Cribb & Emma Read
Cougars failed to take advantage of the first Centre pass and found themselves at 8 - 1 down after only a few minutes. Play became tighter and more organised with the defence of Skews, Hastings and Julian winning some key balls in the Bodmin attacking half and cougars did well to bring the score back to 9 - 7 at quarter time.
Cougars were unchanged for the start of the 2nd quarter and were quick to attack with Drinkell and Collins driving the ball into the two shooters. Despite really tight marking by the two Bodmin defenders Webb and Duffey worked the ball well to shoot close to 90% accuracy ending the half with Cougars leading by 2 goals.
Julian came off for Cribb to start the third quarter, Bodmin also made changes to their Centre and GK, and it was the home side that started stronger. The height of the Bodmin GK proving a problem for Duffey, who did well to work herself into some good shooting positions. Bodmin gained the two goal lead back from Cougars and built on this momentum to lead at the end of the third quarter 23 - 18.
Duffey went to GA and Webb swapped to GS for the beginning of the last quarter. Webb’s extra height was more of a match for the GK and Duffey was able to use her speed against the Bodmin GD . The defending was so tight at times that Webb was forced to shoot from the edge of the circle. 5 minutes into the quarter some vital interceptions from Skews and Hastings quickly moved forward by Cribb, Drinkell and Collins brought Cougars to within 2 goals. With 1 minute to go Hastings again proved why she was player of the match with a vital interception which was then converted and then a goal on the final Cougar centre pass ensured a well deserved draw.
Thanks to Angie Prior for umpiring and Emma Reed for scoring, coaching and enthusiastic encouragement - especially in the last quarter!
Tigers lose out by just one goal
St Agnes [1] 29 - 28 Liskeard Tigers
Liskeard Tigers travelled to Truro to face second in the league St Agnes, hoping to avenge two goal defeat they suffered at home.
With GD Holly Lemon out injured, the starting line up was GK Lucy Smale, GD Charlotte Randall, WD Lauren Finch, C Jo Glossop, WA Amie Hoskin, GA Sophie Hocking & GS Kirstie Chappell.
Both teams started well, going goal for goal until Liskeard managed to capitalise on a couple of turnovers by Randall in the mid-court, which were swiftly fed into the shooters, and some excellent shooting from Hocking saw the Tigers go 10-7 ahead at the quarter break.
Liskeard maintained their composure and had the edge over a clearly rattled St Agnes. Key interceptions by Finch, supported by WA Hoskin, put Liskeard in control, and with the shooters converting their shots the Tigers had a 4 point lead at half time.
Despite a strong team talk and the team knowing they needed to sustain this play in order to take the win, St Agnes definitely had the upper hand in the third quarter. They came out strong, turning over any loose throws and netting 8 goals with no reply. Smale and Randall worked hard defensively but the team just couldn’t keep possession down the court. However, despite loosing the quarter 9-3, the Tigers were only 2 goals behind going into the last.
Glossop and Hoskin upped the tempo and dominated the play in the mid-court. Supported by both Randall and Finch, they looked after the ball with fast, direct passes to give the shooters chances at goal. Again Chappell’s relentless fight for the rebounds kept Liskeard in the match and the last few minutes were nail biting with Liskeard twice bringing the score back to level, but St Agnes held out to take the game by just one goal.
Player of the Match was awarded to Jo Glossop for how she linked the play throughout the court.
Panthers continue to challenge for promotion with a home win against Falcons
Panthers 31 - 27 Falcons [2]
Starting line-up: GS Christina Broad, GA Vicky Ford, WA Kerry Elliott, C Siobhan Howe, WD Sophie Thomas, GD Vicki Hastings, GK Kay Barker.
Liskeard Panthers were back to their "new" usual line up with the return of captain Elliott for the home leg against Redruth’s Falcons 2. Having beaten them by 10 goals in a previous match this season, Panthers were confident they could get the win and rightly so according to the final score.
Panthers started off with erratic pace, and although they had a 6 goal lead at the end of the 1st quarter, they knew they had to slow down and play their own game in order to continue and get the win.
Barker and Hastings worked hard in the Falcons goal circle, successfully intercepting goal attempts and proving too much for their shooters. The partnership between Elliott and Howe continues to get stronger and stronger, and with controlled play from Thomas in defence, the ball was worked well through the centre court and into the attacking circle.
Ford and Broad further improved their excellent partnership, holding their space well, working hard for rebounds and successfully converting the goals.
Panthers worked hard for the win right up to final whistle, and their efforts were rewarded with 5 points which takes them to joint second place in the Cornwall League division 6.