In another successful weekend of basketball, Taunton Tigers Women defeated Guildford Heat in their Wellsprings lair and over-took the top spot in National League Division 2 from their close rivals, Birmingham Bears, who were without a game on the weekend. This was the first time that these two sides have met at any level, so there was little information available to Tigers to counter any threats posed by the opposition, who are enjoying a mix of fortunes in their first season at National League level.
After their slow start in their previous game against UWIC, Tigers were keen to return to their normal fast flowing game and they made a dream start, with points on the board in the first offence. Excellent ball pressure and half court traps caught the Heat off-guard and were rewarded by a flood of early turnovers from Heat and the fast breaking Tigers side enjoyed an early domination as they eased into an early 8 point lead as Hannah Watkins and Hannah Maddocks were rewarded for strong drives to the basket. Heat for their part, countered with points from the line and a long 3 pointer to take the sting out of Tigers, as the quarter ended 16 – 9 to the Tigers.
There was little respite for Heat in the 2nd quarter, when strong running of the lanes enabled early ball release and was rewarded with the first points at this level from Elly Leader, and well-earned lay ups from Nicky Hartston and Abby Pow. At this stage Tigers were rampant and playing some of their best basketball of the season, hitting 19 unanswered points as their inside players, particularly Laura Dyke and Emily Farthing, dominated at both ends of the court. Good, quick bench rotation kept all the Tigers girls fresh on court and maintained the offensive and defensive pressure on Heat. Roared on by an appreciative crowd, scoring was well spread throughout the team and by the half-time break, Tigers had stretched their lead to a well deserved 39 – 17.
A half time team talk by coaches Steve Green and Jo Wood emphasized the need to maintain the momentum in the second half and it was a refocused Tigers team which took to the floor. Unfortunately, although the intensity remained, the rich vein of scoring of the first half dried up. A mixture of over-eagerness, uncharacteristic turnovers, and less than clinical finishing restricted Tigers points and Heat enjoyed the luxury of a deuce of long range threes to take the quarter 15 – 8, but trail at the three quarter stage by 47 – 32.
The final quarter was more of a return to the Tigers normal game as the ever-dependable Jenny Ridgway and Hanna Byrne took control of the game, and despite some sympathetic refereeing putting Tigers in foul trouble for the fourth time in the game, Tigers finished the game worthy winners 65 – 47.
Assistant coach, Jo Woods commented,
“Another great display by the girls, who all played a significant part in the victory. Some great basketball in the 1st half gave us a firm foundation, and despite a sticky patch in the 3rd quarter, we finished strongly for a well deserved win.”