The Tigers Women had a taster of National League action this weekend when they entertained the Leicester Cannons Women's side, who play in National League Division 2 (North), in two friendly games. Matches were played on both Saturday and Sunday and it was mixed fortunes for both sides as Cannons won the first game 66 – 50, and Tigers gaining their revenge by winning the second game 55 – 37. The games did, however, serve the purpose of giving the Taunton Women an early insight and taste of the tougher competitive world of the National League. The manner with which they coped with the Cannons, who have a reputation as a tough and uncompromising side, bodes well for the forthcoming season.
Tigers got off to a flying start to the 1st game leading comfortably 19 – 15 at the quarter. But indiscipline and lack of concentration cost them dear, as turn-overs increased allowing Cannons back into the game to lead 37 – 30 at the break. After the break points were traded equally, until the last quarter when a spurt of scoring by the Cannons and numerous missed free throws by Tigers cost them dear, allowing Cannons to gain an unassailable lead, taking the match 66 – 50.
The second game of the weekend was a far different proposition. Although Leicester made the early running, taking the 1st quarter 10 – 7, Tigers running and passing game and complementary tough defence, took the game away from Cannons in the second quarter. Tigers exciting passage of play thrilled the watching spectators as they took the quarter 22 – 5, leading at the break 29 – 15. Cannons came back strongly with early baskets after the break and benefited from Tigers turn-overs, however, Tigers pressure defence stopped the rot with the quarter finishing evenly at 13 – 13, and Tigers leading comfortably 42 – 28. The final quarter saw Tigers cutting loose again with their high intensity game, pressurising Cannons at both ends of the court and running out deserved winners 55 – 37.
Tigers Coach John Abbott expressed his pleasure with the way the girls had coped with the the weekend games,
“This was excellent experience for the girls, many of whom had not experienced playing at this level before. I was exceptionally pleased with the way we coped with both games and, while there is still much to work on, we have the basis of a very good and competitive side.”