The away trip against Leicester was an important game for both sides as they were level on points and both had started well after the festive break. Given the Tigers excellent win of the previous week, it was somewhat disappointing to travel with only 8 players, due to work and academic commitments. That said, the players traveled in high spirits and in a confident mood for the game. Although Tigers had eased a win after overtime against Leicester in their 1st encounter — the previous score of 39 – 37 did not point to a high scoring game.
Leicester have enjoyed a similar season to Tigers, losing the games by only a few points, but picking up high profile scalps at home. Tiger's players knew they were in for a difficult game, and Leicester certainly turned the screw in the opening minutes as they eased into an early lead, whilst Tigers had difficulties putting moves together. Half way through the quarter Tigers discovered another gear, ran the lanes exceptionally well and finished with clinical precision to take 10 unanswered points, with the ‘dynamic duo’ of Laura Dyke and Emily Farthing dominating at the offensive end, Jenny Ridgway hitting 3 pointers, and Hannah Watkins rebounding tremendously at the defensive end, Tigers took the quarter 22 – 16.
Whatever happened in the break will forever remain a mystery, as Leicester themselves suddenly found another gear, whilst Tigers lost all their confidence and composure as their attempts on the basket failed to drop. Whilst Tigers failed to score in the 1st eight minutes of the quarter, Leicester hit 12 unanswered points despite Tigers best defensive efforts and, to add insult to injury finished the quarter with a long three pointer. Two late baskets from Ella Hewton enabled Tigers to stay in touch as Leicester achieved a massive 12 point turn-around to lead at the half 31 – 27.
It was a more composed Tigers team which started the 2nd half as Hannah Watkins restored parity at 31 points apiece. Despite the excellent defensive efforts of all the team, particularly Abby Pow and Hannah Maddocks, Leicester once again imposed themselves on the game as they went ahead again and stretched their lead to 11 points with only 12 minutes of the match remaining. A galvanizing time out by coach Steve Green refocused the team.
With Leicester in foul trouble valuable points from the line by Jenny Ridgway and Emily Farthing started the recovery as Tigers clawed their way back into the game once more, trailing 48 – 45 at the end of the quarter. Nine unanswered Tigers points from Watkins, Dyke and Farthing at the start of the final quarter swung the game back in Tigers direction. Back came Leicester to within 1 point with 2 minutes of the game to go. Greater intensity, with composure, from Tigers, a brace of 2's from Nicola Hartston, and more lay-ups from the ‘dynamic duo’ enabled the Tigers to take the game with a two season high of 68 – 57.
Tigers coach, Steve Green was thrilled with the effort and achievements of the past two weeks,
“What a great way to start the New Year — hopefully all our injury woes are now behind us and we can look forward to putting out a more settled side in the coming weeks. The results over the past couple of weeks have been a great confidence booster for us and have really opened up the league for so many teams. From what we have experienced, it appears that every team in the league has the capability to compete well and beat even the top clubs.”
“ Despite not all the early results going our way, there have been many real positives to take from the first part of the season. We are a young and capable side and are, in reality, just coming out of the development stage at National League level. We still have much to learn and will need to remain focused in our approach to our games over the coming weeks as we tackle some extremely tricky games, both at home and away.”