Tigers women enjoyed another winning weekend on the road which saw them secure 2 more valuable points in a local derby with closest rivals Bristol Storm. Storm, like Tigers, are in their first formative season competing at National League level, but unlike Tigers, were still looking to secure their first win in the top flight. For the Tigers, this was a ‘must win’ game to secure their mid table position in the league. So often local derbies are unpredictable in their outcome and can upset the form book, and this was one such game! To the credit to the Tigers, they took to the court, following their shortest road journey of the season, in a competitive frame of mind and broke the 60 point barrier for the first time this season, and also for the first time spread the scoring through all 10 players.
From the outset it was apparent that the Tigers would have the edge, both in terms of general ability and court savvy. For their part, Storm bought a real competitive edge to the game. They were determined to take the game to Tigers and gave no quarter at any stage of the game, seeing this game as the ideal opportunity to measure progress at the top flight. Storm started at a cracking pace and shook the Tigers with an easy lay-up and a long range 3 pointer to secure an early 5-point lead within the first minute. Tigers regrouped very quickly and went on a run of 10 unanswered points to re-address the perspective of the game, with Grace Savage and Jenny Ridgway featuring strongly. Storm responded in kind as the lead changed hands 7 times in the first quarter, ending 18 points apiece.
Coach John Abbott took advantage of the break to re-focus the Tigers. It was clear that it was only defensive lapses by the Tigers which was allowing Storm to remain in contention. Offensively, Tigers were performing particularly well and were putting their moves together in a very controlled fashion. Laura Dyke, Emily Farthing and Hannah Watkins were the main beneficiaries of the patient offenses, all having clear looks at the basket and scoring freely to allow the Tigers to finish the half comfortably leading 32 – 26.
The 3rd quarter saw Tigers, for the first time this season increase their intensity with guards Aimee Brook, Abby Pow and Nicky Hartston controlling the floor and ensuring no slip-ups. Although there was a slight hiccup halfway through the quarter, when Storm benefited from unforced turn-overs by the Tigers, an increase in scoring at the offensive end allowed the Tigers to enter the final quarter leading 52 – 40.
Early baskets from Hannah Maddocks and new French player Caroline Gulden strengthen the Tigers lead still further in the final quarter and, despite a flurry of scoring by Storm, Tigers closed the game out as comfortable winners 64 – 51.
Reflecting on the weekend, Manager Jim Hartston commented,
“This weekends game will be another massive uplift for the confidence of our team, who performed particularly well at the offensive end of the court. Taunton can be particularly proud that it can field a team of local players who can compete more than favourably with teams representing cities such as Bristol and Plymouth — it speaks volumes for the quality of the coaching and the opportunities provided locally.”
Tigers Womens next game is away in the National Trophy against Bristol Storm on the 25th November. Victory would give Tigers a home tie against Reading Rockets on 10th December.