Taunton Tigers Women hung on by their finger-tips to maintain their winning run in National League Division 2 with a nother win on the road against Cardiff Celts. Tigers had comfortably won both previous encounters against the Celts, but made hard work of finishing off the Celts resistance on this occasion.
Tigers made a tremendous start to the game and had the majority of the possession, imposing ball pressure at every opportunity, and denying any easy passes, however a succession of easy lay-ups, long range shots and foul throws from failed to drop, with only 2 points in their favour by the 5th minute. Celts for their part soaked up the early pressure and made the most of Tigers misfortunes, hitting on the break and nailing a brace of long range 3 pointers to open up an early 11 – 6 lead, and although baskets by Emily Farthing and Hannah Maddocks, reduced the deficit, Celts finished the quarter strongly leading 18 – 12.
Tigers fared little better in the 2nd quarter as Celts, through Murcia and Gooch each nailed a further brace of 3's each to stretch the Celts lead to 32 – 19. The introduction of Abby Pow and Nicky Hartston, gave that extra hustle and defensive intensity, and with Jenny Ridgway and Hanna Byrne directing, the points tide started to turn in Tigers favour as they hit 16 unanswered points — with Laura Dyke and Hannah Watkins making inroads inside — allowing Tigers to enter the locker room leading 35 – 32.
Tigers started the 3rd quarter with a great deal more purpose than the revious quarters and they stretched their lead to 45 – 34 by the 4th minute. The loss of Hanna Byrne through illness, broke up the Tigers pattern of play, and allowed Celts some breathing space to gather themselves together to finish the quarter strongly, as the ever dangerous Murcia (who finished the game with 28 points) increasingly found easy baskets inside as Tigers led 57 – 49.
An eager Tigers team took to the floor for the last quarter, and they stretched their lead to 19 points after only 3 minutes, before Celts hit back with a pair of deuces. With the game apparently won, 5 minutes left on the clock, and leading 74 – 57, Tigers eased back a tad too early on the throttle and rotated the bench for one final time. A productive time-out by Celts re-organised them for a final assault on Tigers lead,it appeared as if every shot took, dropped as Tigers apparently ‘unassailable’ lead evaporated quickly and set the nerves on edge as Celts hit 19 points in a devastating 4 minute spell but leaving Tigers with the win in a lively game 79 – 76.