ANOTHER HOME WIN FOR PANTHERS
LNC PANTHERS 29 - 21 LASTONET 4
Starting line-up: GK Kay Barker, GD Vicki Hastings, WD Laura Smith, C Julia Eldridge, WA Emma Dunn, GA Gabi Duffey, GS Christina Broad. Res Lauren Finch & Siobhan Howe.
Liskeard Panthers welcomed Lastonet 4 to Lux Park in the hope of continuing the Club’s recent winning streak.
Panthers started well, winning the first quarter 10 goals to 5. There was excellent play throughout the court with the team gelling well and defensively Panthers were as strong as their previous games with GD Vicki Hastings and WD Laura Smith restricting the attack and GK Kay Barker pressurising the GS under the post.
Liskeard focussed on their set plays and carried the ball into the shooting circle. Both shooters worked hard to get the shots at goal, supported by WA Emma Dunn and C Julia Eldridge, and GS Christina Broad was back to the impressive shooting she is renowned for, netting some excellent long range shots.
Liskeard relaxed in the 3rd quarter and allowed Lastonet back into the game. Despite them having doubled Lastonet’s score, the visitors worked hard to ensure they would get at least 1 point from the match. GA Gabi Duffey was shut down by her strong defence and Liskeard started to flounder on the circle edge. The team persevered though, creating space in the mid court to allow the ball to swiftly move from defence to attack.
Lauren Finch came on for Barker in the final quarter and it was credit to both Hastings and Smith that Finch wasn’t involved in the play for much of the period. Injury to Captain Eldridge also saw Siobhan Howe come off the bench for the closing 10 minutes and her renewed energy encouraged the team to play to the final whistle. Duffey and Broad had an excellent final quarter with Duffey working hard around the defence and the shots were duly converted.
Panthers won the game 29-21 with Lastonet’s picking up the bonus 1 point. Laura Smith was awarded Player of the Match from Coach Rudi Britz for her outstanding defending and interceptions which disrupted Lastonet’s play all match.