COUGARS FIGHT BACK TO SECURE A VICTORY IN THEIR FINAL HOME GAME THIS SEASON

Liskeard Cougars 34,  St Agnes [5] 32

It was an unusual start to Cougars last home game of the season. Due to sickness, injury and prior commitments and with GA Emma Thomas delayed, Cougars took to the court with only 6 players. Defender Lynn Webb started at GA, versatile Louise Piner replaced injured Siobhan Howe at Centre and Maria Jordan replaced absent Kerry Elliot at WA with the WD position remaining vacant

Cougars won the toss and for the first 5 minutes held their own and taking a 5 goal to 3 lead. Unfortunately the lack of a WD was becoming noticeable with the St Agnes team making use of the space afforded by its absence. Cougars struggled to contain an increasingly confident Aggy attack and were relieved when “missing” Cougar Emma Thomas was cleared to come on court with 90 seconds to go in the first quarter. St Agnes took the first quarter leaving Liskeard a lot of work to do in the remaining 3 quarters, Liskeard 5,  St Agnes 12.

Emma Thomas took over at GA freeing Lynn Webb to return to GK, Debbie Drinkell went to GD and Rachel Congdon took the WD bib. Defence became very tight and Cougars worked hard to prevent any advance by the visitors. They produced some good transitional play down the court  with Centre Piner and WA Jordan ensuring shooters Vicky  Ford and Emma Thomas had quality balls into the circle. Cougars took the quarter thanks to some superb shooting by Ford to trail by just 2 goals at the end of the quarter, Liskeard 17 St Agnes 19    .

No changes were made for the rest of the match as Cougars sensed victory and the third quarter was indeed their strongest. Utilising the momentum generated in the second quarter Cougars applied pressure on all the St Agnes balls resulting in a 27 - 23 lead going into the final quarter.

Captain Drinkells team talk at quarter time reminded the team to stay focussed and with Cougars having the Centre pass at the beginning of play they were confident of a victory. St Agnes however were not beaten yet and came out the more determined pulling back the 4 goal lead to tie the scores at 32 all with just minutes to go. Congdon made a crucial interception which was fed through Jordan to GA Thomas who held her nerve to give Liskeard the slenderest of leads. With a St Agnes Centre taken quickly the visitors came within a whisker of tying the match  but Webb sprung into defend and made a brilliant interception. With the ball safely moved up the court Thomas again netted to win a very close and competitive match. Final score Liskeard 34, St Agnes 32.

Player of the match was Louise Piner for an all around strong performance.