Cougars get the new season off to a flying start with a superb away win against St Agnes.

St Agnes [4]   11 - 39   Liskeard Cougars

Starting line-up: GK Sophie Thomas, GD Sarah Skews, WD Liz Julian, C Siobhan Howe, WA Gabi Duffey, GA Louise Piner, GS Victoria Ford. Res Carol Smith.

As this was Cougars first game of the season, with a new line up and without captain Emma Dalton, the team were nervous to start. However, they immediately gelled and worked hard throughout to secure a very convincing win.

The first quarter got off to a slow start, with some erratic play and silly mistakes from both teams, but they soon settled down and with Ford and Piner forming a strong partnership in the shooting circle Cougars took the quarter 9 goals to 4.

Cougars began to take a hold of the game in the second, new to the club Carol Smith come on as WA and used her height to full potential with some great mid-court play. Ford and Piner continued to dominate the circle with some fantastic shooting from both, winning the quarter 12 goals to 3, to bring the score to 21-7 at half-time.

Changes at half-time saw Duffey come back on as shooter and Ford dropping back to GD. The visiting team continued to dominate and with some great defensive work from Skews, Ford & Thomas St Agnes managed just 3 goals. Superb long range shooting from Duffey (earning her Player of the Match) took the Cougars to a lead of 33 goals to 10.

Both teams began to tire in the last quarter but with Howe’s experience and relentless movement up the court, Cougars managed to increase their lead and won the game 11 - 39.