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WOMEN'S NATIONAL TROPHY REPORTS |
RESULTS
SERVICE|
WOMEN'S NATIONAL TROPHY 09/11/02 TCi Northants “Lightning” 49 - 78 Ellesmere Port “Panthers” This National Trophy 2nd Round match brought together the country’s two leading junior teams. Last season in matches between the two teams, the “Lightning” won both Northern Conference matches, clinched the Cup Final but lost in the Play Offs. So, everyone was expecting a very close game although there was an awareness in the Northants camp that the “Panthers” were a leaner, keener outfit than last season’s model. This was clearly emphasised in the first quarter with the “Panthers” rushing into a 25-9 lead with a combination of aggressive defence and rapid counter attacks. The “Lightning” had considerable height advantage but they were unable to get the ball to their taller players. Consequently their usually smooth running offence became static and hesitant with several of their players appearing intimidated by their opponents. Needing a massive effort in the second period they did improve a little losing it 23-16 but the 48-25 half time deficit left the “lightning” with a mountain to climb. With things looking as if they couldn’t get worse they did. Sandra Wainwright stole the ball and set off on a lone attack. Preparing to shoot she slipped on some on-court dust and suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury; possibly torn ligaments. In fairness to the “Lightning” they were much more competitive in the final two periods but the game was already as good as over and Ellesmere Port well deserved their comprehensive 78-49 win. |
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WOMEN'S NATIONAL TROPHY 09/11/02 SOUTHEND SWIFTS 57 OXFORD SHE-DEVILS 61 Southend Swifts welcomed Oxford She-Devils to Greensward College for a second round tie in the Womens National Trophy, a competition for clubs playing below the Womens Conference. This was the first meeting between the two teams for some four years, Oxford having withdrawn from the National League at that time. It soon became apparent that the visitors huge height advantage would have a material effect on the result of the game. With two players over 6' 2" and another at almost 6', Swifts were always going to be in trouble getting close to their opponents basket. The early exchanges saw Oxford with a 13-4 lead as Sinead Murphy made her presence felt close in. Southend could simply find no cohesion and five unanswered points by Petra Hartmanova at the end of the first quarter saw Oxford with a 25-12 lead. If that was bad, the second period was even worse as Swifts could simply find no way to score. With Sarah Hopkins and Jo Andrews unable to find their scoring range and the inside players simply outmuscled, the home side managed a paltry five points to trail by 39-17 at the half time interval. When Hartmanova helped herself to eight of her sides first 12 points of the third stanza the margin was 30 at 51-21 and the match surely over. In fact the margin reached 31 before Swifts decided they might like to take part in the match. Hopkins finally nailed a three-pointer and despite the never ending problem with foul shots for the whole team, an 11-1 run saw the deficit reduced to 36-57 at the end of the third quarter. But whatever was said during the final interval seemed to have a remarkable effect. Suddenly the Swifts pressure began to reap rewards. Sarah D'Silva and Talia Smith seemed to be everywhere on the court and a 7-0 run on the back of an Andrews three-pointer cut the score to 43-57. Murphy replied with two for Oxford before an 11-0 run for Southend made the improbable seem possible. The visitors scored again before yet another Andrews three-pointer, her fourth of the afternoon, reduced the margin to four. But in a frantic last two minutes, with the crowd roaring their encouragement, neither side could score as Oxford held out for victory. The statistic of only 13 scores from 30 foul shot attempts cost Swifts dearly as they drop out of a competition they won so famously two years ago. They now have a week off to reflect as the younger teams all have away fixtures next weekend. |
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Women's National Trophy First Round; 14-09-02 Northants “Lightning” 73 - 58 Nottingham “Wildcats” II In search of extra competitive games the Northants “Lightning” have entered two senior competitions this season. Last Saturday they took on Nottingham “Wildcats” in the National Trophy and against equally young opposition came away with a comfortable if unconvincing victory. The first quarter of the game was a close run thing until coach, Karen Goodrich introduced centre Vikki Hinds to the fray with the “Lightning” edging it 14-12. Two baskets in quick succession plus a free throw gave the home side an 18-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. The “Wildcats” were now finding it difficult to pierce the aggressive “Lightning” defence and when they missed shots the rebound usually dropped into the waiting arms of the influential Angelina Browne. It was the same at the other end of the court with Browne mopping up a number of offensive rebounds which she coolly converted to points with some stunning close to the basket moves. With Hinds again supporting well the “Lightning” went into the half time break leading 41-24 with the game as good as won. The biggest danger to the “Lightning” was now complacency and that certainly set in at the start of the second half. They managed just four points in seven minutes of play as the “Wildcats” dragged themselves back into contention at 49-40 with Liz Ward causing the previously impressive “Lightning” defence all sorts of problems. In a time out towards the end of the period Goodrich laid it on the line to her players that they were in danger of losing the game. To their credit they responded as Lucy Chilton came to life with six points at the start of the fourth period. The “Lightning” quickly extended their lead back to fifteen points and eventually ran out comfortable winners by 73 points to 58 but they were heavily indebted to their youngest player Angelina Browne who had an impressive 34 points and sixteen rebounds. No other “Lightning” player got into double figures although Lucy Chilton’s fourteen rebounds were vital. In the 2nd Round of the competition the “Lightning” will face the winners of the Leicester / Ellesmere Port tie. The latter team like the “Lightning”, are an under 18 team and beat the Northants girls in the semi final of the Play Offs last season. |