TIGERS HANG ON FOR A DRAW AGAINST TOP OF THE LEAGUE NEWQUAY
Tigers 29, Newquay 29
Liskeard Tigers welcomed division leaders Newquay to Lux Park for their last home game of the season. A win for the Tigers would keep them with a promotional chance but they knew it would be a tough encounter, with Newquay having lost only once all season.
With Emma Dalton unavailable, Julia Eldridge again stepped up into the centre position, the line-up: GK Lucy Smale, GD Vicki Hastings, WD Holly Lemon, C Julia Eldridge, WA Jo Glossop, GA Amie Hoskin, GS Sophie Hocking.
Liskeard opened the scoring and then turned over the Newquay ball through some tough circle defending. Extending to a 3 goal lead the Tigers had control but Newquay were able to pull back through their strong GS. Liskeard led by just one goal at the end of the period.
Encouraged by their first quarter performance, Liskeard wanted to continue controlling the match. Strong defence by Newquay saw the scores draw level but Liskeard upped the pressure.
Smale and Hastings caught the rebounds and turnover ball to securely feed down the court. Possessional play through the mid court from Lemon to Glossop gave the Tigers more chances at goal. With Hoskin shooting at 100% and Hocking helping to create more chances, Liskeard lead 16-12 at half time.
The third quarter started well with Liskeard extending their lead to 6 goals but Newquay meant business and weren’t going to go down easily. A change to their GA, along with the GS having her best quarter of the match, Newquay were soon back in the game. Defensively they restricted Hocking in the circle and fewer goals were being converted. The 6 goal lead was soon forgotten as Newquay started to close the game out and level the scores.
Liskeard were disappointed to have lost their lead but were determined to not throw away the match. Possessional play would again be key as they knew Newquay would pounce on any loose balls. Both teams threw their all into the final 15 minutes; Newquay edged to a two goal lead and the scores matched goal for goal for much of the period. With two minutes to go, and two goals behind, the Tigers pulled together.
A turnover by Hastings was fed swiftly up the court for Hocking to close the score to just one point and then Player of the Match Amie Hoskin scored from Tigers’ final centre pass to give the home side a hard fought and well deserved draw.
The Tigers now need to prepare for another tough fixture, they travel to Truro on Thursday 5th April to face second placed Lastonet.
Pictures by Glen Rogers