PANTHERS LOSE OUT IN CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH LASTONET 4
Lastonet [4] 27, LNC Panthers 24
Panthers made the journey to Cornwall College wanting to make an impact on their opponents Lastonets 4. After winning their original home match Panthers were confident they could pull a performance out of the bag.
Due to Amy Greenbank being unavailable Panthers starting line up consisted of: GK Kay Barker, GD Lauren Finch, WD Sophie Thomas, C Julia Eldridge, WA Emma Dunn, GA Gabi Duffey, GS Christina Broad Res. Louise Piner and Maria Jordan.
Liskeard started positively, gaining their first couple of nets without reply and settling in with the change in mid court. Thomas provided the attack with strong passing and support and Finch and Barker kept any counteract play at bay, the quarter finishing 5 - 7 in Panthers’ favour.
Louise Piner replaced Thomas in WD in the second quarter and with the game theirs for the taking Panthers took to the court. With a few team nerves and some good mid court play, Lastonets crept back into the scoring run and with some passing errors from Panthers, the home side ended the half with a 14 - 12 lead.
Panthers remained unchanged for the third quarter and with some great feeding from Dunn into Duffey and Broad, they started to come back into the game. Finch and Piner provided great support for the back passing so as not to give possession away. Lastonets were able to turn the ball over and lead the attack down the court, Barker had to up her game with some fantastic defending, providing many interceptions and tips to push the GS out. However, the Lastonet GS really found her form shooting from almost every angle on the edge of the circle and netting every ball leading Panthers into the last quarter down by just one goal 18-19.
Panthers were fighting for the win but with having to pass back and work for each other in a crowded mid court they ended up with a few interceptions. Again great shooting from Latsonets gave them a 27-21 lead going into the last dying minutes. Piner however held her own and provided Dunn and Eldridge with some great attacking opportunities. Duffey capitalised on 3 goals on the bounce but with the final whistle the game ended 27-24.
Emma Dunn received player of the match for her relentless support up and down the court.
COUGARS LOSE OUT TO LASTONET IN THE LAST MINUTES OF PLAY
Lastonet [6] 37 - 36 LNC Cougars
Line-up: GK Rachel Congdon, GD Lauren Finch, WD Sophie Thomas, C Siobhan Howe, WA Louise Piner, GA Emma Thomas, GS Vicky Ford. Res Debbie Drinkell & Amelia Bridges
Cougars were looking for their 5th away win of the season when they made the long trip to Camborne to face Lastonet’s 6th string.
Cougars started strongly, intercepting a loose pass which GA Emma Thomas was quick to convert to take an early lead. Cougars did not have it all their way in the first quarter however, and with the tall Lastonet GS ensuring her team kept in touch with the score, the first quarter ended with Cougars having a slender 1 goal advantage to lead 8 - 9.
No changes were made in the second quarter but Liskeard came out stronger with both GS Vicky Ford and Emma Thomas finding their range, shooting confidently from distance with some impressive goals. With only one missed goal Liskeard extended their lead to 19 - 23.
Debbie Drinkell replaced Siobhan Howe at Centre and Amelia Bridges came on in place of Louise Piner at WA for the 3rd quarter. Straight away Cougars were on the attack, adding 3 quick goals to their growing tally. The momentum however was short lived as Lastonet regained their focus and replied with 3 goals of their own. GK Rachel Congdon did well to mark the GS, and with GD Lauren Finch and WD Sophie Thomas working the ball up the court Liskeard ended the quarter 26 - 32.
Going into the last with a 6 goal lead, Howe came back on court at Centre and Drinkell went to GK. The home side were quick to take advantage of some silly mistakes and Cougars quickly saw their lead evaporate. Lastonet levelled with only a minute to go and a delay in getting the ball back to Howe and a footwork giving away possession saw the ball again converted by the 6’1” Lastonet GS for her team to take the game 37 - 36.
Although it was a disappointing end to the match there was some great team play including some excellent shooting by Emma Thomas and Vicky Ford. Lauren Finch was awarded captain’s player of the match for her persistence and great defending. Cougars can now look forward to a six week break from the league before they’re next match in January.
COUGARS CLAIM BONUS POINT IN THE DYING SECONDS AGAINST LASTONET 5
LNC Cougars 16 - 31 Lastonet [5]
Starting Line-up: GK DebbieDrinkell, GD Lauren Finch, WD Emma Thomas, C Siobhan Howe, WA Amy Greenbank, GA Louise Piner, GS Vicky Ford. Res Lynn Webb, Sophie Thomas & Amelia Bridges
Cougars started their first home fixture of the season with two new players in the squad, former Tiger Amy Greenbank and new club member Amelia Bridges.
Having collected the maximum 15 points from the last 3 games Cougars were keen to build on their early season success, however, this was not to be as a strong Lastonet team were determined to take the points.
Cougars started well and worked hard to take the first quarter 6 goals to 5.
They remained unchanged for the second quarter but their passing errors let them down. Lastonet started the second quarter the better of the two sides netting 4 unreplied goals. Cougars rallied to try and get it back but by the end of the quarter found themselves down by 4 goals at 12 – 16.
At the start of the third quarter Lynn Webb came on at GK, debutante Amelia Bridges at GA and Sophie Thomas at WD. The team were slow to settle though and Lastonet capitalised on this, going onto win the third quarter 10 goals to 2 and extending their lead to 14 – 26.
Emma Thomas came on at WA for the last and Louise Piner replaced Howe at Centre but despite limiting the visitors to only 5 goals in the final quarter the damage had been done and Cougars were unable to cut the deficit. They were in danger of finishing the match pointless but Amelia Bridges netted a pressure shot with 20 seconds to go ensuring Cougars got the bonus point.
Coach’s player of the match was awarded to Emma Thomas.
Pictures by Glen Rogers
ANOTHER HOME WIN FOR PANTHERS
LNC PANTHERS 29 - 21 LASTONET 4
Starting line-up: GK Kay Barker, GD Vicki Hastings, WD Laura Smith, C Julia Eldridge, WA Emma Dunn, GA Gabi Duffey, GS Christina Broad. Res Lauren Finch & Siobhan Howe.
Liskeard Panthers welcomed Lastonet 4 to Lux Park in the hope of continuing the Club’s recent winning streak.
Panthers started well, winning the first quarter 10 goals to 5. There was excellent play throughout the court with the team gelling well and defensively Panthers were as strong as their previous games with GD Vicki Hastings and WD Laura Smith restricting the attack and GK Kay Barker pressurising the GS under the post.
Liskeard focussed on their set plays and carried the ball into the shooting circle. Both shooters worked hard to get the shots at goal, supported by WA Emma Dunn and C Julia Eldridge, and GS Christina Broad was back to the impressive shooting she is renowned for, netting some excellent long range shots.
Liskeard relaxed in the 3rd quarter and allowed Lastonet back into the game. Despite them having doubled Lastonet’s score, the visitors worked hard to ensure they would get at least 1 point from the match. GA Gabi Duffey was shut down by her strong defence and Liskeard started to flounder on the circle edge. The team persevered though, creating space in the mid court to allow the ball to swiftly move from defence to attack.
Lauren Finch came on for Barker in the final quarter and it was credit to both Hastings and Smith that Finch wasn’t involved in the play for much of the period. Injury to Captain Eldridge also saw Siobhan Howe come off the bench for the closing 10 minutes and her renewed energy encouraged the team to play to the final whistle. Duffey and Broad had an excellent final quarter with Duffey working hard around the defence and the shots were duly converted.
Panthers won the game 29-21 with Lastonet’s picking up the bonus 1 point. Laura Smith was awarded Player of the Match from Coach Rudi Britz for her outstanding defending and interceptions which disrupted Lastonet’s play all match.
TIGERS LOSE OUT TO FORMER DIVISION ONE SIDE, LASTONET 1
Liskeard opened their 2011/12 campaign against former division 1 side Lastonet last Thursday.
The Tigers selected team this year is Lucy Smale (GK), Holly Lemon (GD & Captain), Emma Dalton (WD), Erin Beale (C), Jo Glossop (WA), Amie Hoskin (GA) and Sophie Hocking (GS) but with Dalton out for their opening fixture, Julia Eldridge stepped up into centre with Beale dropping back to fill the WD position.
Lastonet opened the scoring from their centre pass but Liskeard were quick to reply and the sides were goal for goal for much of the quarter. However, it was Lastonet who settled into the game quicker, feeding the ball hard into the circle, converting the goals and winning the quarter 9-5. Coach Rudi Britz tried to settle his side in the break, encouraging the defence to reduce the shooters’ movement and keen for attack to continue working the ball around the circle and getting closer to the post.
Liskeard came out much more positive for the second period and their strong defensive play throughout helped them begin to claw back the deficit, getting within a couple of goals mid way through the quarter. Lastonet were quick to respond though, and despite the Tigers only loosing the period by one goal, Lastonet had extended their lead to 12 - 17.
Liskeard continued to work hard throughout the second half and moved the ball well down the court but the Lastonet defence began to read the shooters’ play and Liskeard struggled to get the ball into a shooting position. With limited shooting opportunities for the home side the gap got bigger and the game ended 24 - 33 to Lastonet.
Although disappointed to start their season with a defeat, the team were happy with their overall performance, holding their own for much of the game against a very strong opposition. Captain Holly Lemon was really pleased with her team, “We were expecting a tough match tonight but I was impressed how well we all played and we certainly didn't make it easy for them. It was great to welcome Amie back to Tigers and she fought hard against a really tough defence; and Jo clearly impressed our new coach, receiving his Player of the Match. For a first game with the new line-up there are many positives to build on before our next match away at Newquay.”
Pictures by Glen Rogers
Tigers finally get a win and do it in emphatic style against Lastonet
Lastonet [2] 25 - 44 LNC Tigers
Starting Line-up: GK Lucy Smale, GD Vicki Hastings, WD Holly Lemon, C Jo Glossop, WA Julia Eldridge, GA Sophie Hocking, GS Kirstie Chappell. Subs Laura Shephard & Amie Hoskin.
Liskeard Tigers claimed their first season win away at Camborne to Lastonet 2. Coming off of two close defeats Liskeard were hopeful they could secure a win against the newly promoted side.
Liskeard started well scoring the opening few goals but miscommunication with the centre pass kept Lastonet within 2 goals.
The second quarter saw Liskeard take charge. Excellent movement throughout the court, utilising the defence and moving swiftly into attack gave the shooters Hocking and Chappell every chance at goal which they duly converted. Such was the Tigers dominant force they won the quarter 11 goals to 5, to lead 21-13 at half-time.
Liskeard took their time to settle in the third quarter after some changes to the mid-court and Lastonet started to hit back. Defensively Smale and Hastings remained strong and with Hastings picking off interceptions at every opportunity Liskeard still had the edge, going into the final quarter with a healthy lead.
The Tigers however had saved the best til last and put the game beyond reach of the home side; with the shooters again proving accurate under the posts and patiently working the ball around the circle. Liskeard took the quarter 13-5, and the match 44-25.
Captain Lucy Smale was really pleased with the team’s performance. “This was by far the best the team has played this season, you could see all that we have practised and at last the hard work has paid off. We’re still a relatively new line up, along with some of the more experienced players, and there was a real team feeling out there tonight.
I thought both shooters had a great game and grew in confidence which boosted the whole side. Kirstie deservedly received Player of the Match for her shooting and excellent work collecting any rebounds.”