Strong win for Panthers lifts them to second
Panthers 35 - 15 Penzance [4]
Starting Lineup: GS Christina Broad, GA Amie Hoskin, WA Emma Dunn, C Kerry Elliott, WD Debbie Drinkell, GD Vicki Hastings, GK Kay Barker. Res Louise Piner
It was the visitors that came out strong, capitalising on a nervous start from Panthers and taking an early lead in the quarter. Panthers settled towards the end however and with some strong defence by Barker and Hasting they finished just a goal down at 7 – 8.
Panthers remained unchanged for the second and quickly resumed the match with some key interceptions from Drinkell, followed by some good attacking drives down the court by Elliot and Dunn. At 10 goals a piece Penzance were very unlucky to lose their GS to a suspected fractured finger but all credit to the visitors, they did not let up and at the end of the first half Panthers only had a two goal advantage, finishing 13 – 11.
Some changes were made at half time, with Cougars player Louise Piner coming on at WD and Drinkell replacing Elliott at centre. This was by far Panthers’ strongest quarter, with the shooting stats of Broad and Hoskin close to perfect and some superb defending to only concede one goal, Panthers took the quarter 12 - 1 going into the last with a substantial lead of 25 – 12.
Although Panthers had been slow to get going in this game they ended the match with a solid team performance, winning the game 35 - 15 and keeping Penzance from getting within half for the bonus point. It was a strong performance from everyone but it was Broad who caught the Umpire’s eye, once again being named player of the match.
Photos by Glen Rogers
Tigers finally get a win and do it in emphatic style against Lastonet
Lastonet [2] 25 - 44 LNC Tigers
Starting Line-up: GK Lucy Smale, GD Vicki Hastings, WD Holly Lemon, C Jo Glossop, WA Julia Eldridge, GA Sophie Hocking, GS Kirstie Chappell. Subs Laura Shephard & Amie Hoskin.
Liskeard Tigers claimed their first season win away at Camborne to Lastonet 2. Coming off of two close defeats Liskeard were hopeful they could secure a win against the newly promoted side.
Liskeard started well scoring the opening few goals but miscommunication with the centre pass kept Lastonet within 2 goals.
The second quarter saw Liskeard take charge. Excellent movement throughout the court, utilising the defence and moving swiftly into attack gave the shooters Hocking and Chappell every chance at goal which they duly converted. Such was the Tigers dominant force they won the quarter 11 goals to 5, to lead 21-13 at half-time.
Liskeard took their time to settle in the third quarter after some changes to the mid-court and Lastonet started to hit back. Defensively Smale and Hastings remained strong and with Hastings picking off interceptions at every opportunity Liskeard still had the edge, going into the final quarter with a healthy lead.
The Tigers however had saved the best til last and put the game beyond reach of the home side; with the shooters again proving accurate under the posts and patiently working the ball around the circle. Liskeard took the quarter 13-5, and the match 44-25.
Captain Lucy Smale was really pleased with the team’s performance. “This was by far the best the team has played this season, you could see all that we have practised and at last the hard work has paid off. We’re still a relatively new line up, along with some of the more experienced players, and there was a real team feeling out there tonight.
I thought both shooters had a great game and grew in confidence which boosted the whole side. Kirstie deservedly received Player of the Match for her shooting and excellent work collecting any rebounds.”
Cougars stay top of Division 6 despite “pointless” loss against unbeaten Newquay
LNC Cougars 27 - 55 Newquay [3]
Starting Line up: GK Sarah Skews, GD Sophie Thomas, WD Liz Julian, C Erin Beale, WA Carol Smith, GA Gabi Duffey, GS Vicky Ford. Res Louise Piner
Newquay 3 took to the court unbeaten in the league so far this season and it soon became apparent that Cougars would have a real struggle to impact on the game.
The visiting team took a 4 goal advantage in the opening few minutes of the game after Cougars failed to take advantage of some good feeds into the circle by WA Carol Smith and C Erin Beale. It was an up and down quarter with Newquay extending their lead to 7 goals at quarter time.
The second quarter began with a mini fight back from Cougars with both GS Vicky Ford and GA Gabi Duffey finding excellent form with some accurate goals to come within 3 goals of the visitors. However, Newquay upped their game towards the end and had extended their lead to 8 goals at half time.
Going into the second half Cougars made some changes with Liz Julian being replaced by Sophie Thomas at WD, Beale taking the GD bib and Louise Piner coming on as Centre. However, Newquay came out fighting and the home side had no reply for the zonal marking of Newquay and netted just 2 goals to the visitors 18.
A lot can be said for the attitude of the Cougars in the final quarter and they came out positive. Beale returned to centre with Piner looking a lot more comfortable at WD. Hardworking Thomas and Skews switched in defence, keeping the pressure on the Newquay shooters. With some key interceptions from Smith and Beale and some positive movement in the circle by the shooters Cougars can think themselves very unlucky, winning the quarter to finish just one goal away from collecting the bonus point.
Player of the match went to Erin Beale for her versatility and linking play throughout.
Pictures by Glen Rogers
Tigers lose out after a fast, feisty game against Newquay
Tigers 24
Newquay 27
Starting Line-up:
GK Lucy Smale
GD Holly Lemon
WD Laura Shephard
C Jo Glossop
WA Julia Eldridge
GA Sophie Hocking
GS Kirstie Chappell.
Res: Amie Hoskin & Vicki Hastings.
It was the first time the new Liskeard side had started together this season and with the hard work they'd been doing on their set plays and teamwork they were looking forward to putting this into practice.
Both teams started strong, matching goal for goal for the most part, but with some hard defending from Smale and Lemon leading to turnovers it was Liskeard who ended the quarter with the upper hand, taking the first 8 goals to 4.
Liskeard worked the ball with confidence in and around the circle, excellent support from Eldridge and Glossop helped the shooters, but Newquay’s tall, rangy defenders started to cause problems for the home team and Newquay began clawing their way back. Despite the Tigers still feeling positive they lead by just one goal at half-time.
Fresh legs for Newquay in the second half gave them the edge for the first time all match. Key interceptions by Shepherd were fed swiftly up the court but with strong defending from Newquay, Liskeard had few opportunities at goal.
It was the Tigers who made the changes for the last with Hoskin and Hastings coming off the bench and Lemon moving out to WD. Both teams upped the tempo and at times the play was feisty as neither wanted to give up the match. Hastings and Lemon backed up the mid court and there was quick, fast ball into the circle by Glossop and Hoskin. The scores were level for much of the quarter but it was Newquay who had the last word, winning the game 27-24.
Pictures by Glen Rogers
Cougars stay top with a nail-biting win away to Bodmin
Bodmin [4] 33 - 36 Liskeard Cougars
Starting line-up: GK Sarah Skews, GD Sophie Thomas, WD Liz Julian, C Erin Beale, WA Carol Smith, GA Gabi Duffey, GS Vicky Ford. Res Louise Piner
Cougars were without Captain Emma Dalton due to an unfortunate car breakdown, so it was Beale who donned the centre bib. The first few goals were shared equally by both sides and it was clear early on that not a lot separated them but it was Cougars who gained an early advantage at quarter time taking the lead 8 goals to 5.
Bodmin started the second quarter with some key changes and initially Cougars found it hard to keep up with the increased intensity, quickly losing their advantage. With Duffey and Ford working well off the feeds of Smith and Beale however, the quarter ended with Bodmin holding a lead of just one goal.
Both teams started the 3rd quarter having made changes: Julian was replaced by Beale at WD, with Piner taking the centre bib. Again Bodmin pushed forward but in defence both Skews and Thomas worked hard to make the Bodmin shooters have to fight for position. With a key interception from Beale towards the end of the quarter and two excellent long range goals from Duffey, Cougars pulled the deficit to two goals going into the final quarter.
With all to play for and with greater confidence, Cougars had saved the best until last and exerted tremendous pressure on the Bodmin team. All credit to the opposition who never gave up and although trailing by 6 goals during the middle of the quarter pulled it back to within 5 for that extra bonus point, the final score 33 - 36 to Cougars!
It was a brilliant performance by the whole team but it was Duffey yet again who secured the umpires nod for Player of the Match due to her amazing goals from the edge of the circle.