3rd team fight back brings success

The team settled well in the first quarter, with GS Elize Ansell making herself available in the shooting circle from the off. She was partnered by Pia Hooker at GA, who was also finding space and shooting very accurately.

Jessica Roberts and Emma Hall were working well together in the attacking third and although some passes were going astray, they were giving the shooters plenty of opportunity. The first quarter ended 9-6 to Club, with Westconbe having a slow start but beginning to get into the game.

The defence of Grace Thomas, Ellouise Edwards and Sadie Burch were all working hard, but the Westcombe Park attack were finding it a bit too easy to pop the ball over the top. So at quarter time, coach Shirley Winsborrow brought on Denise Grant at GK to try and close the circle down. This proved effective, but Westcombe's defenders had sharpened up, the Club attack were finding it harder work, and the gap closed to 17-16 at half time.

Shirley brought on fresh legs at half time, with Sadie back on for Ellouise, Fern Thomas on at GA and a whole new centre court of Georgina Penny, Shannon Murray and Beth Rolf taking to the court. Unfortunately these changes unsettled the team and a lot of possession was squandered. Elize, under pressure in the circle, was becoming off balance, and this was leading to some loose balls on court. Shannon Murray was driving powerfully through the court but was struggling to deliver the final pass, and Georgina was a little inconsistent, with some good and not so good feeding. Beth was bringing the ball up the court well but could have been a little tighter in defence. As a result, Westcombe won the quarter 7-3 and were now three goals up.

The final quarter saw Pia Hooker return to the court at GA and Fern back to GS. Jess and Emma returned at WA and C respectively and this attacking combination looked a lot more comfortable. Fern was making powerful well timed moves in the circle and this made life easy for the feeders. Both shooters were scoring well, and despite going 5 down at the start of the quarter, Club soon began to claw their way back into it.

The defensive trio of Ellouise, Sadie and Denise also got down to it and piled on the pressure, leading to a lot of turnover ball. The Westcombe attack started to hesitate and their number of attempts on goals was limited. Club dominated the final quarter, winning it 14-7, and the match 34-30.