TIGERS ARE BACK TO WINNING WAYS WITH A FANTASTIC RESULT AGAINST STORM
LNC Tigers 34 - 28 Storm 2
Starting line-up: GK Lucy Smale, GD Vicki Hastings, WD Holly Lemon, C Emma Dalton, WA Jo Glossop, GA Amie Hoskin, GS Sophie Hocking. Res Julia Eldridge
Following their disappointing 1 goal defeat at the hands of St Agnes last week, Liskeard Tigers were hopeful of returning to winning ways when they welcomed Storm’s second string to Lux Park.
Storm started strong, quickly going 3 goals in front. The Tigers knew Storm would be a tough, well drilled opposition and they couldn’t afford to let them advance too far in front. Liskeard settled into the game and worked hard to level the scores at 5-5. Through their excellent GS, netting 7 out of her 8 attempts, Storm edged the quarter 9 goals to 7 but Liskeard were pleased with their first quarter and hopeful they could hold their own in this match.
The Tigers set the mark during the second period. From the off the whole team lifted their game, interceptions throughout the court, coupled with some long range shooting from Sophie Hocking, saw the Tigers score 5 goals with no reply. GD Vicki Hastings had the measure of the Storm GA; strong defending and numerous turnovers ensured she had just 2 attempts at goal and Tigers won the quarter 11 goals to 5.
Starting the third quarter with a 4 goal advantage Liskeard didn’t want to become complacent as they knew Storm would be ready to take the game. But again the Tigers worked hard, the set plays cemented the foundation of the team and all the players fought well and played their own game.
GA Amie Hoskin found her range against the tall defence, working the ball around the circle through C Emma Dalton and Jo Glossop to keep possession and ensure every chance at goal. Despite a change to the Storm attack they still couldn’t match the strong Liskeard defence; interceptions were picked off by both WD Holly Lemon and Hastings before reaching the shooting circle.
Julia Eldridge replace Dalton at C for the final quarter, and going in with a 7 goal cushion Liskeard were confident they could win the match. However, becoming complacent, sloppy passes and missed shots kept Storm in the game. Liskeard worked hard to slow the game down and keep possession and although Storm won the quarter by one goal Tigers had done enough to get the win, taking the game 34 - 28 and limiting Storm to just one losing bonus point.
Coach Rudi Britz said “I am very happy with the win. We started playing the game as we should be playing it at last. Still lots of silly mistakes, especially in the first quarter, but it came together in the second quarter, and Storm found it difficult to keep the pace. The set plays are beginning to become a second nature now, and the girls know where the ball is going to be passed next, which is important, and when it works, it's a pleasure to watch. Well done to all of you.”
Pictures by Glen Rogers
TIGERS LEAVE IT TOO LATE TO COME BACK AGAINST ST AGNES
LNC Tigers 30 - 31 St Agnes
Starting line-up: GK Lucy Smale, GD Holly Lemon, WD Erin Beale, C Jo Glossop, WA Amie Hoskin, GA Sophie Hocking, GS Christina Broad. Res. Vicki Hastings
Liskeard Tigers hoped to maintain their winning streak when they welcomed St Agnes to Lux Park. Due to absence and illness there was a new starting line up, with Panther Christina Broad stepping in at GS.
Despite taking an early lead Liskeard struggled to settle into the game and silly mistakes gave St Agnes the chance to disrupt the play further and take the quarter
7-10.
Hastings came off the bench for the second quarter with Lemon going to WD. Defensively Liskeard started to find their feet and slow the St Agnes attack but they still couldn’t get the edge in the mid court. The team fought hard to draw the quarter, leaving them still 3 goals behind.
Beale returned at Centre for the second half, with the attack moving back to their more familiar positions and Broad dropping to the bench. Still the Tigers had to battle hard to get through the strong St Agnes defence which was causing problems all over the court. The Tigers each knew what game they should be playing but they weren’t at their recent best and allowed St Agnes to dominate; giving them a 5 goal lead going into the last.
Broad replaced Hocking for the final period and at last Liskeard started to play their own game. Lemon and Hastings picked off numerous interceptions and fed the ball back down the court. Working hard to narrow the gap Liskeard soon found themselves just a couple of goals behind. Excellent shooting from Broad, netting 9 out of 12 attempts, inspired the team who threw everything at the game to bring the scores level. However, with a turnover in the final 60 seconds St Agnes scored, winning the game by just one goal.
COUGARS LOSE OUT TO LASTONET IN THE LAST MINUTES OF PLAY
Lastonet [6] 37 - 36 LNC Cougars
Line-up: GK Rachel Congdon, GD Lauren Finch, WD Sophie Thomas, C Siobhan Howe, WA Louise Piner, GA Emma Thomas, GS Vicky Ford. Res Debbie Drinkell & Amelia Bridges
Cougars were looking for their 5th away win of the season when they made the long trip to Camborne to face Lastonet’s 6th string.
Cougars started strongly, intercepting a loose pass which GA Emma Thomas was quick to convert to take an early lead. Cougars did not have it all their way in the first quarter however, and with the tall Lastonet GS ensuring her team kept in touch with the score, the first quarter ended with Cougars having a slender 1 goal advantage to lead 8 - 9.
No changes were made in the second quarter but Liskeard came out stronger with both GS Vicky Ford and Emma Thomas finding their range, shooting confidently from distance with some impressive goals. With only one missed goal Liskeard extended their lead to 19 - 23.
Debbie Drinkell replaced Siobhan Howe at Centre and Amelia Bridges came on in place of Louise Piner at WA for the 3rd quarter. Straight away Cougars were on the attack, adding 3 quick goals to their growing tally. The momentum however was short lived as Lastonet regained their focus and replied with 3 goals of their own. GK Rachel Congdon did well to mark the GS, and with GD Lauren Finch and WD Sophie Thomas working the ball up the court Liskeard ended the quarter 26 - 32.
Going into the last with a 6 goal lead, Howe came back on court at Centre and Drinkell went to GK. The home side were quick to take advantage of some silly mistakes and Cougars quickly saw their lead evaporate. Lastonet levelled with only a minute to go and a delay in getting the ball back to Howe and a footwork giving away possession saw the ball again converted by the 6’1” Lastonet GS for her team to take the game 37 - 36.
Although it was a disappointing end to the match there was some great team play including some excellent shooting by Emma Thomas and Vicky Ford. Lauren Finch was awarded captain’s player of the match for her persistence and great defending. Cougars can now look forward to a six week break from the league before they’re next match in January.