TIGERS MAINTAIN THEIR WINNING STREAK WITH A CONVINCING VICTORY OVER SILHOUETTES
Silhouettes 19, LNC Tigers 47
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, Kirstie Chappell & Christina Broad.
Liskeard Tigers travelled to St Austell to meet Silhouettes in the hope of doing the double and maintaining 3rd place in the division. Despite a convincing win against the side last month Tigers didn’t want to become complacent and let mistakes creep into their game.
The teams both started tentatively and matched goal for goal for the beginning of the period. However, with Silhouettes having scored 5 goals the Tigers upped their defensive play and ensured no more goals were scored for the rest of the quarter. With rebounds and interceptions from both Smale and Hastings the ball continued to find its way to the Tigers shooters who both began on excellent form with just 3 missed attempts. 10 goals with no reply from Silhouettes gave Liskeard the first quarter win at 17-5.
Silhouettes made several changes for the second, with their stronger shooter moving into the circle. This unsettled the Tigers and it was a low scoring quarter all round. Lemon and Glossop disrupted the mid court play, picking off interceptions where possible. Fewer attempts at goal from Hocking meant GA Hoskin had to lead the play with lots of movement off the ball in order to create the chances. Again Hoskin netted all but 1 goal to keep Liskeard in front, going into half-time 24-9.
An ankle injury to Lemon saw Liskeard make their own changes for this period. Eldridge came off the bench into WA and Glossop moved back to defence. In spite of the changes Liskeard had a strong quarter. Both Hastings and Eldridge picked off interceptions throughout the court and Liskeard had total control of the match. Reduced attempts at goal with few being converted meant Smale could feed the ball out of the circle and up towards the attack. The partnership work of Hocking and Hoskin was excellent, supporting each other in the circle and boosting the whole side. More shooting opportunities for both girls kept Liskeard in front, winning the quarter by 8 goals.
With the strong lead Liskeard welcomed Kirstie Chappell back into the side following injury and Captain Lemon returned to the court. It was a tentative start to the quarter in the shooting circle but partnering well with Hocking, Chappell began to find the form the side had previously been used to. Silhouettes again changed their shooting pairing but this didn’t disturb Hastings or Smale. Patient, possessional play from defence into the mid court meant Liskeard could maintain their lead and not throw away silly passes or make mistakes. Lemon supported the attack and despite fewer converted goals, the Tigers won the quarter 10-5 to record their best win of the season so far.
A strong performance by the side was commended by both their opposition and the umpires. The Tigers were all pleased with the match and particularly the changes they were able to try out. Player of the Match was awarded to Amie Hoskin for her movement in and around the circle and excellent shooting, netting 80% of her attempts at goal.
Tigers now have to prepare for their second game of the week, they will face Saints 4 at Lux Park on Thursday.