TIGERS DO THE DOUBLE OVER STORM 2

Storm [2]   37,  Liskeard Tigers   43

Liskeard Tigers travelled to Camborne on Friday evening to meet Storm 2. Despite winning the home fixture before Christmas, the visiting side were nervous as they knew Storm would want to avenge the defeat. In addition, the Tigers were without Vicki Hastings so had to change their defence, Captain Holly Lemon returning to GD and Lauren Finch stepping up from Panthers into WD.

Starting Line-up: GK Lucy Smale, GD Holly Lemon, WD Lauren Finch, C Julia Eldridge, WA Jo Glossop, GA Amie Hoskin, GS Sophie Hocking. Res. Emma Dalton, Christina Broad & Kay Barker.

Liskeard started strong, netting 5 goals with no reply, but Storm soon settled into the game and began to claw back the deficit. Play was fast up and down the court and at the end of the quarter the teams were level at 11-11.

Emma Dalton replaced Eldridge at the start of the second period and worked hard with WA Jo Glossop to work the ball into the shooting circle. The Tigers soon found themselves 5 goals in front again, but the strong Storm defence caused problems for GA Amie Hoskin and GS Sophie Hocking. Despite their hard work in training, their play was being read and the defenders began to gain the upper hand. Storm scored 5 in a row towards the end of the period to take a one goal lead, leaving the score 22-21 at half-time.

The Tigers were flustered in their team talk, desperately wanting the win and needing to focus on their own game. GK Lucy Smale and GD Holly Lemon worked hard in defence, Lemon tipping interceptions wherever possible and Smale restricting the GS to only long-range shots. The turnovers boosted the side and the ball was fed swiftly down the court for more chances at goal. WD Lauren Finch backed up the attack, allowing the team to keep possession and increase their shooting opportunities, netting 10 goals to Storm’s 8 giving them a 31-30 lead going into the last.

Just one goal ahead, the Tigers knew they needed to remain calm in order to see out the win. Storm came out ready to pull back the score and were physical in their play but this didn’t unsettle the Tigers. Rebounds from Smale, along with Lemon and Finch supporting the forward play meant Hocking and Hoskin could take control of the shooting circle. Excellent partnership play ensured they netted their shots, Hoskin converting 8 out of 9 attempts, to give Liskeard a well deserved win.

Fantastic play in the dying minutes, with 3 goals on the bounce, meant that Storm were kept to just the one losing bonus point - the final score 43 - 37 to the Tigers.

Player of the Match was awarded to Sophie Hocking for her persistence in attack and excellent shooting against a very strong defence.