Taunton Tigers Women bounced back to winning ways in the National League, following their defeat to leaders Birmingham Bears the previous week, in a hard fought tussle against UWIC Archers at the Wellsprings Sports Centre. Although, Tigers had defeated UWIC in January, a tough game was expected from the ever improving University side that has had pushed many in the league in recent weeks, and particularly as Tigers were missing the pace and court-craft of Hanna Byrne for this game.
Any concerns of a ‘hangover’ from the Bear's defeat were quickly dispelled as the girls made a dream start to the game. Intensity right from the tip by a lively Tigers, earned rich rewards as turn-overs from UWIC and a fast breaking Tigers side enjoyed an early domination as they eased into an unanswered 9 point lead after 3 minutes. Although foul trouble hindered Tigers, particularly with the early ‘benching’ of influential point guard Jenny Ridgway after an early 3 pointer, UWIC really had no answer to the Tigers pace and crisp passing game, or their slick finishing as no less than 7 of the Tigers players had their name in the scorebook as they closed out the quarter leading 20 – 7.
UWIC maximised the break to re-organise into a pressing defence and, although initially not gaining success as Laura Dyke and Hannah Watkins made inroads to the boards, Tigers were no longer getting the easy looks of the 1st quarter. Ominously, the dangerous Raper (game high 23 points) was starting to find space inside and starting to convert from within the paint. The bench rotation, which had served Tigers well early in the game, was threatened by unforced errors by the girls as the points were shared evenly, but Tigers entered the locker room leading comfortably 32 – 19.
A half time team talk by coaches Green and Woods emphasized the need to maintain the momentum in the second half and also to look after the defensive boards. Early baskets by Nicky Hartston, Abby Pow, and Elly Leader stretched Tigers lead to 17 points, but a time out by UWIC took the sting out of Tigers scoring, as the visitors took full advantage of unforced errors to hit 11 unanswered points to bring them right back into the game as they took the quarter 23 – 17. Although Tigers still led 49 – 42, they were visibly shaken by the UWIC recovery and were accumulating a high foul count as they were forced onto the back foot.
The final quarter started in much the same vein as the third ended as Tigers lead was cut further still before a welcome basket by Hannah Maddocks and some clinical finishing by Emily Farthing (game high 17 points), finally took the sting out of UWIC and enabled Tigers to take a very hard-fought game 63 – 53 to maintain their momentum in the league.
Tigers coach, Steve Green commented,
“This was a really important win for us today, particularly after the disappointment of last week. UWIC have some big inside threats who have made life difficult for most in the league. This win brings us back to joint top place in the table and we are now assured of at least the runners-up spot in the league, and a place in the play-offs. This is a tremendous effort from the girls and just reward for all the hard work they have put in this season.”