Panthers finish their season on a high securing 3rd place with their best performance to date, coming agonisingly close to victory against unbeaten league winners, Penzance

Liskeard Panthers   23 - 25  Penzance [4]

Starting Line-Up: GK Kay Barker, GD Vicki Hastings, WD Sophie Thomas, C Siobhan Howe, WA Kerry Elliott, GA Vicky Ford, GS Christina Broad. Res: Erin Down, Amie Hoskin, Emma Dalton.

Panthers knew it would be a tough game against the team at the top of their division, and adding to the pressure, Panthers knew they needed a win to be in with a chance of promotion to division 5. They now face an agonising wait to find out if they will be promoted upon a division re-shuffle at the beginning of the new season in September.

Ensuring they had their best squad ready for the match, Panthers put on an impressive display of determination and contest for the ball with the first quarter being goal for goal until Penzance gained a lead of 7-5. At quarter time Erin Down came on in place of Thomas at WD, a decision by coach Hocking to maximise potential and the first of many changes throughout the match.

The second quarter saw more excellent play from the home team, with some fantastic interceptions from Hastings and some great mid court battles between Howe and her opposing centre. The first half ended 9 - 13 to Penzance, but Panthers knew they were definitely still in the game.

Elliott and Ford came off at half time, with Hoskin coming on at GA and Dalton at WA which proved to be a good decision by Hocking. The pair gelled well together working the ball fast down the court and into the circle, and Panthers won the quarter 7 - 6, going into the last quarter just 3 goals behind.

Elliott came back on for Howe for the last, and Panthers continued to fight for possession and go for goals with Broad and Hoskin proving a great first time partnership. Holding the play and keeping Penzance’s goals at bay were (player of the match) Hastings and Barker, constantly on the defence, obtaining re-bounds and delaying play, the partnership between the two proved again to be a perfect pairing.

Liskeard fought hard throughout the match, their performance however, although the best they had played all season, was just not enough, the final score being an extremely close 23 - 25.

Panthers put up an excellent fight and finish the season on a well deserved high.