Another blistering Sunday afternoon overlooking Bedford Academy for what was the last round of cup competitions for the Juniors in the Beds & District Netball league.
Sunday 22nd June was scheduled for a Versatility Cup game but owing to postponed fixtures back in May, this week now held home to the final 2 fixtures of Sapphires ‘Pulse Cup’.
The Sapphires has a quick shock to the system after dominating the 2nd division this year, being grouped with 3 division 1 sides was always going to ‘ask different questions’ and that they have but questions which our girls have answered it true Tiger fashion! Taking 8 quarters in this competition so far and competing to a high standard in all, this has so far shown that we can compete at the ‘top table’ in this division.

The fixtures this week were exactly the same as last weeks, facing a overall win against Westoning Gemini and loss to the Maulden Lions. It was a chance that was going to be relished as last week it was left thinking that had more in them and the beating of these two sides…. Although not sure how much training would of assisted this week? Given the scorching weather we turned netball courts into a war zone of hectic water balloon fun, super soaker play and general mayhem! If I was trying to convince you it had ‘netball benefits’ I would tell you about the change of pace and direction we practice as we dodged flying objects and used balloons to practice target practice. In reality it was carnage but I am hopeful the girls enjoyed themselves (definitely a rare event though given the manic couple of hours that took place).

GAME 5 - PULSE CUP
BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES VS WESTONING GEMINI
Going out onto court each player was give their own little area to focus on personally. The Gemini team were a unique team with some big players and over the shoulder passes which would get two thirds down the court. A reminder of this and some tactics discussed before E HIGGENS led out the team.

A confident start in quarter one with an instant sharper feel then last week, going through those phases that little bit more quickly and it paid off. In the 3rd minute we found a quick counter attack, landing with L HABERSHON and our top goal scorer who put the ball where it needed to go! The same again in just before the whistle, making it 27 for the season and that caps it off as L HABERSHON is unavailable for the final fixture in the one day tournament.

QUARTER 1 - BEDFORD TIGER SAPPHIRES 2 WESTONING GEMINI 0

Despite dominating the first second was much more even and the Westoning time have found their feet with balls in and around the D at both ends…. With a number of missed opportunities for both teams as well.
A notable physicality was spotted from the first from one of the ladies in pink but it was dis-missed as a ‘one-off’ until the second saw both coaches and supporters saw behaviour not fit for the court. As a fan of physical competition but this far exceeded that, so much so that intervention with the umpire was needed during the break after that quarter but it turns out they were the only ones who didn’t see it.
The quarter ended all square.

QUARTER 2 - BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES 0 WESTONING GEMINI 0

The third was equally as closely contested but or captain in the shooting position, we eventually found a break through after a number of failed attempts. I can’t blame the players as notable shooting across all teams had been impacted and some of that must of had something to do with the gusts of winds we were experiencing this afternoon. It was the only goal that was needed to take the quarter.

QUARTER 3 - BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES 1 WESTONING GEMINI 0

Both teams must of been saving themselves for the final quarter …as this was when the scoreboard started to rack over.
I’d given the personal objective to D LYNCH to ‘use her controlled aggression on the court, use it positively and not let it effect her game’. Did she listen? Well she was certainly do just that, putting herself around the court and in between every Westoning pass.
An early goal by a calm shooting Gemini was soon levelled out by a finish from LYNCH neatly gathering a HIGGENS rebound.
Westoning took the lead again in the 19th from their most prolific goal scorer who was saved for the last quarter. Responding again almost immediately, this time from E HIGGENS who was getting success through sheer repetition this week. Thinking is was destined for a draw, a typical Tigers finish was on the cards again, not stopping until the last whistle. Another from E HIGGENS not only did it mean that was another quarter win but also put HIGGENS onto 26 for the season, just one behind HABERSHON and just one day of games left.

QUARTER 4 - BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES 3 WESTONING GEMINI 2

A hard fought battle in there against a well respected first division side. That win would of taken a lot out of them but a great performance in some really difficult conditions and demonstrating that grit and determination that have come to be known for and what I personally have some much time for this team.

A rogue pass in the final quarter saw an awkward bounce of the hand of E AYLING and we could see she was struggling. Although she goes onto play the following game, the fingers started to swell and turn colours very quickly after that which was soon to be established that it was fractured fingers. A disappointed Tiger knowing she wasn’t going to be playing in the final week but a couple of performances to be proud of.

GAME 6 - PULSE CUP
MAULDEN LIONS VS BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES
Last week I came not knowing how we didnt best this team. Sadly this week was the same result, a better performance from the Maulden side who utilised their tall side well and finished more clinically on the day.

Still a great performance from our girls who made it a very competitive and low scoring game with a impressive display of defensive performance. Not that we didnt have our chances as it was fairly even, they just finished there’s better on the day.

QUARTER 1 - MAULDEN LIONS 1 BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES 0

Another injury was to fall to us in the second with a brave M LEWIS taking to the courts irrespective of suffering a accident causing some burnt hands and blistering. A heavy fall and a game and a half of putting those hands under stress… it was time she came off and got those hands tended to. An injury replacement in D LYNCH came on and turned out where she left out providing another energetic defensive display.

QUARTER 2 - MAULDEN LIONS 1 BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES 0

Another proud moment in the third, displaying what they have in their locker as they go on in this quarter to dominate this first division side. Possession was one way but they couldn’t get that allusive goal. This one was going to be a draw.

QUARTER 3 - MAULDEN LIONS 0 BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES 0

The final quarter, equal throughout both teams. An opportunity falling for N MAHWING, finding that movement required to evade her much bigger marker. A composed and well placed shot this time and nobody wanted it to go in more then myself…. I say that but looking around outside the cage you could see everyone willing it to go in. It wasn’t to be, bouncing just outside the rim.
Played at our own game this time, in the final few seconds an excellent long range effort from a Maulden attacker found its way home for them to take the final quarter.

QUARTER 4 - MAULDEN LIONS 1 BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES 0

Despite the mixed results this week, the performances this week was as good as any I have seen this season and the effort was second to none. It was on par with some of those legendary comebacks earlier in the season. The progress just keeps coming and once I got home, settled down and reflected …. Another notch. Another proud moment watching them out there today, their attitude as a team is every I could hope for and more.

We applaud you ladies. Amazing.

STAR PLAYER - D LYNCH for her explosive effort around the court and her defensive play across both games.