Tigers women enjoyed a winning weekend 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, are 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 in a really competitive frame of mind and gained their biggest winning margin of the season.
From the outset it was apparent that the Tigers had the edge, both in terms of general ability and court savvy and bought a real competitive edge to their game. They were determined to take the game to Storm and gave no quarter at any stage of the game, seeing this game as the ideal opportunity to measure progress at the top flight. Tigers started at a cracking pace and shook the Storm with easy lay-ups and strong inside moves to secure an early 5 point lead within the first minute. Although Storm regrouped very quickly, Tigers went on a run of 10 unanswered points to re-address the perspective of the game, with Hannah Watkins and Emily Farthing featuring strongly and took the quarter 17 – 8.
Guest coach Cam Seeley 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 30 – 15.
The 3rd quarter saw Tigers, increase their intensity with guards Abby Pow, Nicky Hartston, Aimee Brook and Jenny Ridgway, controlling the floor and ensuring no slip-ups. Although there was a slight hiccup towards the end of the quarter, when Storm benefited from a series of long range 3-pointers, Tigers entered the final quarter leading 51 – 32.
Early baskets from Grace Savage, Caroline Gulden and Hannah Maddocks strengthened the Tigers lead in the final quarter, and despite a flurry of scoring by Storm, Tigers closed the game out as comfortable winners 58 – 42.
Reflecting on the weekend, Manager Jim Hartston commented,
“This weekends game was another massive uplift for the confidence of our team, who performed particularly well at both ends 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 large cities such as Bristol and Plymouth — it speaks volumes for the quality of the coaching and the opportunities provided locally.”