The weekend had gone so well…. Training was great with some work on ‘finding space’ and some game experience against our older Saffron girls, MARTIN, L had got her self a goal in her football team to come back from a 3-1 deficit, HARBERSHON, L was undertaking county tennis and it was one of the coaches birthday (just saying!).

Following a super cute serenade of an impromptu ‘happy birthday’ by the Sapphire girls, thoughts were firmly on business with the prospect of facing off against a Grangers Lightning team who pushed us to the wire last time out, coming back from being 5-1 down to narrowly squeezing a win 6-5 back in March.
This was a real crunch week which could make the difference when the result come in at the end of the season.

Yes, I’ve said it… I’ve said it! Its too close to ignore. Sapphires before this weekend are 10 wins from 10 with BCNC Rubies hot on our tails, with their only losses to the Sapphire girls on both occasions narrowly. Only 6 points separate the top two sides of the league and it will either way go down to the last weekend of the season.

Pre-match rituals underway with their sisters, the Jades who were kicking off their matches at the same time. Music, fun …and a bit of warming up before they take to the court.
Missing our top goal scorer was a unavoidable feeling in the air as HABERSHON, L had commitments on the tennis court. Down to one substitute , who would step up? A pep talk of that exact nature felt needed, that each of them needed to give an extra 10% this week to fill that void.

BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES VS GRANGERS LIGHTNING

Tigers took to court 5 early to get engaged and ready for ‘take-off’ but there was an unusual absence from the opposition. Time ticked by which required umpires to search for a opposing 7…. They came back, but it wasn’t until a couple minutes into the quarter it was noticed that it wasn’t but a Grangers 5. Clearly depleted this week and a loss of that degree was always going to have a huge impact when it comes to netball.

As the game unfolded this is exactly what transpired, with the focus on the team being discipline, not having complacency and respect for their opponents.
Nerves were settled when the first goal went in after 30 seconds, clearly maximising the extra players, Tigers has much more time and space on the ball. An assist from LEWIS, M, feeding in HIGGINS, E got us underway.

Bedford Tigers Sapphires 1 Grangers Lightning 0

Chances came and went in the first quarter with the metal rim of the goal being one of the main players in the first 5 minutes. HIGGINS, E second came mid-way through the quarter, collecting her own rebound before finishing.

Bedford Tigers Sapphires 2 Grangers Lightning 0

The third came from a swift set of passes through the middle, a series of passes starting with AYLING, G in the centre, finding anew found confidence up top in LEWIS, M who found the net.
LEWIS, M wasn’t finished there as before the break, with possession securely in the hands of Tigers, fell to our GS but not in a position under the net. A long shooting opportunity would of been something months ago which LEWIS, M would of passed up on but not today. A confident effort from afar pushes Tigers to a confident 3 goal lead and the whoop from the supporters showed their appreciation.

Bedford Tigers Sapphires 4 Grangers Lightning 0

A new pairing of AYLING, E and HIGGINS, E was about to make the difference to a hugely depleted Grangers side and with focused ruthlessness the team ‘drilled-in’ in at getting the job done.
Straight from the whistle AYLING, E gets her first.. and then her second straight from the re-strart.
The completion of the hat-trick came in quick succession soon after effortlessly.

Bedford Tigers Sapphires 7 Grangers Lightning 0

A 7-0 lead settled nerves and we felt a little tenseness disappear before another goes in, making it number 17 for the season for our second top scorer. HIGGINS, E

Bedford Tigers Sapphires 8 Grangers Lightning 0

There were three more to follow before the half ended, two coming in the way of an AYLING who had found her shooting arm today and was relishing in the team work between her and HIGGINS, E. The second, making it double figures came by a smart assist from MARTIN, L who pushed wide to recover a spilled ball, finding the critical pass into the D.

HIGGINS, E was gifted her number 18 of the seasons from an inspired and quick thinking pass from LYNCH, D to set HIGGNS, E up under the net.
Yes, defensively there wasn’t a huge amount to do but we were going to remain switched on throughout.

Bedford Tigers Sapphires 11 Grangers Lightning 0

The second half was a lot more subdued with only two goals coming across the 8 minutes. With MAHWING, N now adopted a shooting position there was a hope to get her on the scoresheet and fulfill that elusive goal …and by damn she gave it a go! Shots reigned and and the team rallied around to support her, narrowly missing on each occasion. One of our few year 4’s and one of the smallest in the gang couldn’t seem to hold onto that power in those biceps of hers as they each had just that little too much in it causing it to go just beyond the ring.
MAHWING, N did provide a beautiful assist to another AYLING, E goal as the ball went back a forth a couple of times over the net with MAHWING, N planting her feet well and her outreached arms retained the ball from going out when, in all honesty she shouldn’t have. Excellent skill!

Bedford Tigers Sapphires 12 Grangers Lightning 0

The last goal of the game came aptly for a Grangers side which showed so much heart and resilience, to keep fighting in this situation was a quality that the Tigers girls were reminded off. A goal was the least they deserved.

Final Score - Bedford Tigers Sapphires 12 Grangers Lightning 1

CRANFIELD TITANS VS BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES
The last game out wasn’t the game we were expecting, so we shouldn’t be expecting the same here. It was a 9-0 victory for the Tigers last time these two teams met but today was not going to be the same….

As soon as the whistle blew we knew we were in for ‘a game’. The Titans had movement and it was instantly creating havoc when we were defending, Titans players finding space in key areas and getting into the D with relative ease. …And as a result Cranfield open the scoreline within the first two minutes, with the goal shooter peeling off the back to her marker and a ball over the top found a clearly competent shooter under the net.

Cranfield Titans 1 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 0

Once mid-way into the quarter the girls started to get to grips of the game with much of the play in the middle of the court. We remained vulnerable going backward but going forward we moved with pace and conviction. PYECROFT, O levelling to score, starting the play in the middle, only to move in great space and following a series and well timed passes received in back under the net.

Cranfield Titans 1 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 1

That attacking instinct from the team came again just a minute later with a narrowly missed shot by AYLING, G setting up her ‘partner in crime’ PYECROFT, O off of the rebound who tucked her second away nicely.

Cranfield Titans 1 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 2

Before Tigers got too comfy Titans were on the attack once more piling on the pressure resulting and despite some empathic defending across the centre of the court Cranfield found a way through, squaring the score just before the bell.

Cranfield Titans 2 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 2

The second quarter found much of the pressure coming in the way of the Cranfield but a firmed up defence found both teams cancelling each other out for the most of it. The first real attack by Tigers fell to LYNCH, D who adopted her position as our shooter. A first time effort perfectly weighted found the net and found the joy on the face LYNCH, D simultaneously.

Cranfield Titans 2 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 3

A dis-heartening feeling across the team, a feeling of just not being able to wriggle away from this consistent Cranfield side. A long ranged effort from a Titan, levelled up the score once again.

Cranfield Titans 3 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 3

LYNCH, D returned fire by starting a play through the middle with high energy, assisting a well placed shot by AYLING, G who is getting more and more comfortable within the D.

Cranfield Titans 3 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 4

The efforts required across the court we demanding and taking its toll, an emotional AYLING, E came off determined but exhausted and it was all clearly being left out on the court each and every 5 minutes.

This was turning into quite the game and for the neutral, I have no doubt a thoroughly entertaining and exciting one BUT this was a test of nerves for those close to the Tiger family, non-more felt then those on the sidelines.

The third quarter had Tigers with the majority of the efforts, chances coming within the D, a close effort from MARTIN, L just remarkably staying out from dropping.
Finally, some breathing space as LYNCH, D popped up to get her brace for the day, collecting her own rebound to finish well under pressure.

The bulk of the hard work needed still in defence as Titans continued to pile on the pressure but with the pairing of HIGGINS, E and AYLING, E now working as well as they did forward as they were defending, shots were been blocked and stopped from every angle and bodies were being thrown in the way of everything and anything in two’s and three’s.
An early break in the final quarter pulled Cranfield with just one score from an exhausted Tigers, to add to matters, a rogue ball jarring a finger of MARTIN, L caused an unexpected late injury substitution bringing LYNCH, D back off the bench as Goal Shooter.
Titans soon finding a little space had a couple of shots go ‘up and over’ before converting the equaliser and bringing about a very tense conclusion.
A draw would still have the league in Tigers own hands but changes the tone of the games next week.

It seemed inevitable a draw was going to be the final result but as has been the character of this Sapphires side, they do not know when to quit and never give up, right up to the final whistle. A final ditch effort into the D found LYNCH D, more confident then ever. She lays up which was a dedicated placed shot. A shot which felt like slow-motion as it just makes the rim, rolls slowly over the top and drops in like a win off a ‘2p machine’. The final play of the game and the girls had done it again. Another inspiring performance.

Final Score - Cranfield Titans 5 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 6
Star Player - AYLING, E
Not for the goals in the first game but her sheer effort and determination defensively, covering every part of the court and leaving nothing in tank.

The 2 wins this week means a single win is needed from the final two league fixture to secure the title. How have we come so far? Whatever the outcome, what a ride it has been and the girls should be so proud of what that have achieved together.
We wont start popping the corks just yet! See you all next weekend!