TIGERS MUST SETTLE FOR 5TH AFTER LOSING OUT TO ST AGNES
ST AGNES [1] 42
LNC TIGERS 30
Liskeard were hopeful of a win in their last match, as it would mean the Tigers would finish the season third in division 2, their highest ever placing. With all Tigers available along with their key reserves Hoskin and Hastings, Captain Lucy Smale knew the team had enough in them and lots of options to push the win.
Both teams started strong and were evenly matched in the first quarter. Despite St Agnes opening the scoring, Smale and Lemon defended well from the start with Lemon limiting the passes to the GA and Smale picking up the rebounds. Liskeard had more of the ball but weren’t able to convert the all important goals which allowed St Agnes to keep things close, finally edging the quarter 6-5.
An injury to Kirstie Chappell early in the 2nd quarter saw the introduction of Amie Hoskin as GS. The ball continued to fly up and down the court with both teams making mistakes but with the St Agnes GS beginning to find her form and the GA having more attempts at goal, the home side started to extend their lead. Liskeard fought hard to disrupt the play with key interceptions by Glossop and Shepherd but the strong St Agnes defence limited the Tigers efforts and Aggie stormed the quarter to win 13 goals to 6, leaving Liskeard trailing by 8 at half time.
Vicki Hastings replaced Smale for the third quarter with Lemon dropping back to GK, and Hoskin & Hocking swapped to their more familiar positions of GA & GS respectively. This boosted the side with Liskeard taking the first few goals and bringing the score to within 4 points. Hoskin set up a lot of play in the attack and with support around the circle from Eldridge and Glossop, the shooters tried to keep Liskeard in the game. However, with silly mistakes throughout the court and despite the St Agnes GA having fewer shooting opportunities, the GS continued her fine form, missing just three goals all period.
Liskeard were more positive going into the last, having lost the 3rd quarter by just 2 goals. Smale came back into GK; strong, tight defending on the GS along with Hastings beginning to dominate the GA meant Liskeard could feed the ball through attack to give the shooters every chance. Hocking had an excellent quarter in GS, with more opportunities which she converted. However, Liskeard had left it too late, the damage was done in the second period and St Agnes took the game 42-30.
After the match Captain Lucy Smale commented: “Overall we are disappointed to have lost tonight but at times we matched St Agnes’ play. As a former division 1 side we knew this wouldn’t be an easy encounter, we were hopeful that we could cause an upset but it wasn’t to be. However, the Tigers have had their best season yet and if 5th in the division was offered at the beginning of the season, I would have been more than happy with that. We have finally proven that we deserve our place in division 2 and hope to build on it again next season.”
Race Night
Liskeard Netball Club's race night, held at The Railway Inn on saturday, was a great success! With a good turn out we managed to raise an impressive £550.00, which will be a huge boost to club funds going into next season.
A massive thanks to The Railway for hosting the event, as well as all race sponsors, horse owners and everyone that attended, helping to make it such a great evening.
Winners on the night were:
Race 1: Boo Boo (Baz Hocking) Race 2: Snack a Jack (Sam Gerry) Race 3: Budget Buster (Sophie Thomas) Race 4: Mad Moo (Emma Dunn) Race 5: Spartacus (Baz Hocking) Race 6: Step Too Far (Becky Ford) Race 7: Flicker (Ann Hoskin) Race 8: Not A Chance (Lewis Elliott)PANTHERS SECURE A PLACE IN DIVISION 4 WITH A HOME WIN AGAINST ST AGNES
PANTHERS LOSE OUT TO LEAGUE LEADERS PENRYN
Panthers endured their toughest match of the season facing top of the division Penryn 3
With two of their original line up not available until later in the game, Louise Piner started at WD and Erin Beale at WA. Both settled into the team quickly and Panthers took an early 3 goal lead. However, the strong Penryn GA brought her side into the game and despite pressure from GD Vicki Hastings and fantastic interceptions by Piner, the two sides were level at the end of the first period.
The second quarter saw more fantastic netball from both sides, the goals stayed with the centre pass and there was little between the two teams. Amie Hoskin worked hard to link defense and attack and, despite strong defending from her opponent, she continued her movement around the circle to give both her and GS Christina Broad every chance at goal. However, the tall Penryn shooter began to find her form and combined with the strong GA they kept the scores level, ending the half at 14 goals all.
Changes were made in the 3rd quarter bringing on original WA Emma Dunn and placing a versatile Beale into defense, with Drinkell taking up the C position. Good use of the court lead to some great conversions by Broad, but silly mistakes by the home team allowed Penryn to take the lead for the first time, leading 20-18 going into the last.
With the return of GK Kay Barker and Elliott back in C spirits were high but Penryn came out strong, quickly extending their lead. The Panthers didn’t give up and spurred on by their supporters they fought hard to the end with everyone giving it 100%. However, despite their best efforts they were unable to pull the deficit back and the game ended 23 - 29.
A disappointing result for The Panthers, and their first loss of the season on home turf, but with 2 games to go, a place in division 4 could still be theirs!
Pictures by Glen Rogers