2nd Round; ¼ Final; Semi Final;  

 

W/e 31st January 2010

WOMENS NATIONAL CUP FINAL

EIS, Sheffield

Nottingham Wildcats 54 City of Sheffield Hatters 67

Hatters took the first piece of silverware of the domestic season, retaining the National Cup with a victory over Nottingham Wildcats.

The first quarter saw the teams trading blows with neither holding more than a four point lead throughout the quarter. With little between the sides there was little surprise that the scores were tied at 18-18 going in to the second quarter.

Newly appointed England Women’s coach Vanessa Ellis had said pre-game that her side needed to play better than in the league encounter earlier in the season when the midlands side became the only team this year to beat the Hatters, and for much of the second quarter there was still little to chose between the sides.

With just under 2 minutes of the half remaining, Hatters lead was still only four points but then Coach Ellis’s side went on a 9-2 run to lead 38-27 at the half.

Hatters began the third quarter the better of the two sides and quickly increased their lead to 19 points. Wildcats, however, were not going to be beaten easily and by the end of the third quarter had reduced the deficit to ten with Hatters leading 50-40.

The two sides continued to trade baskets, with Hatters unable to pull away and with less than four minutes remaining the lead had narrowed slightly to nine. Despite Wildcats efforts, the cup holders finished the better and stretched the lead again with Hatters keeping the cup in South Yorkshire with a 67-54 victory.

Hatters top scorers: Helen Naylor 19 points, Shanna Oaddams 17, Rosalee Mason 13.

W/e 13th December 2009

WOMENS NATIONAL CUP - SEMI FINAL

London Heathrow Acers 49 City of Sheffield Hatters 85

Hatters cruised into the final of the Women’s National Cup after a comprehensive win in London. Hatters were quick out of the blocks and took a commanding 22-9 first quarter lead. Hatters didn’t let up and by half time had increased their lead to 49-26.

Despite the deficit, the hosts refused to give up and the third quarter was the closest of the game, with Vanessa Ellis’s side just edging the period 22-19. Normal service was quickly resumed and Hatters were able to easily close out the game 85-49 to move one step closer to defending the title they won last year.

Their opponents in the final, which will take place at EIS, Sheffield on 31st January 2010, will be Nottingham Wildcats. Wildcats took their place in the final after beating last year’s runners up UWIC Archers in the other semi final.

Top Scorers: Camp 18, Naylor 16, Oaddams 12

W/e 29th November 2009

WOMENS NATIONAL CUP - ¼ FINAL

City Of Sheffield Hatters 90 Manchester Mystics 45

A slow start from Hatters including several missed lay-up opportunities saw Manchester taking an early lead.  Following a Vanessa Ellis time-out, Hatters gradually got into their stride. However, Hatters continued to look somewhat flat on defence with Manchester players gaining position in the post as well as beating them on the drive. Despite an overall poor performance in a low scoring first quarter, Hatters finished 13-4 up.

Sheffield had a second quarter surge in which the defence improved dramatically and Hatters gave a much more positive team performance at both ends of the floor. Communication and co ordination proved the key to Hatters dominance in the quarter as they began to run the Division 2 side. Naylor lead the home side as she added points to the board with several fast break baskets.

Mystics themselves scored 23 points in the second period but the hosts were still able to head to the locker rooms with a half time lead of 18, with the game score 45-27.

The 3rd quarter was another low scoring period with Hatters outscoring Manchester12-4 to increase their lead further.

Hatters racked up points in the 4th quarter, again lead by Helen Naylor as they maintained a high tempo in transition for the final 10 minutes of the game. This resulted in a final score of 90-45 to the home side and a place in the semi finals.

Hatters Top Scorers:  H. Naylor 39, Taylor 17, Camp 11.

W/e 8th November 2009

WOMENS NATIONAL CUP - 2nd ROUND

Cheshire Jets 17 City of Sheffield Hatters 123

Hatters traveled to Division Two North side Cheshire Jets in the National Cup second round and returned to South Yorkshire with a place in the quarter finals after a comfortable win.

Hatters were in control from the start, playing well against the home sides zone defence and by half time, the game was almost over as a contest with Hatters leading 65-5.

Any thoughts of Vanessa Ellis’s side easing up in the second half were quickly dispelled as Hatters continued to pile on the points, wrapping up the game with a convincing 123-17 scoreline.

Hatters top scorers: Helen Naylor 40, Shanna Oaddams 30 and Lisa Hutchinson 16

The victory books Hatters’ place in the quarter finals and guarantees them a home tie on November 29th against the winners of the Manchester Mystics and Stockport Lapwings tie.