It must of been the ‘coaches curse’ as Friday the girls got a little bit of a ‘talking to’ around the importance of training, learning and striving to improve following a lack lustre evening training session…. Only for both teams to step out on the court and deliver two much deserved wins. Typical!

BEDFORD TIGERS ROSES VS CRANFIELD TITANS
Sunday 12th October saw another early start for the Roses girls in the Beds & District 4th division as they set to play against a familiar foe in a Cranfield team many of the players faced off against last year when they played in the 4-6’s under Sapphires.

A GOODCHILD was back from in the squad following her ankle injury and last weeks absence saw the return of E GEE.

E AYLING led out the team onto court 2 at Bedford Academy this week and leads by example with a confident performance controlling the centre of the court. The team looked there strongest they have under the new Roses name in the first quarter, putting 5 past the Cranfield team with no response. With goals coming from both shooters in L HABERSON and J DHILLON, it made for a formidable partnership with some excellent movement, working the circle area at times.

The second quarter held a similar tone, pushing L HABERSHON into centre gave rise to E GEE to step up and get goals of her own with some nice movement of the shoulder of her defender, bringing the score to 7-0. Sadly GEE had very little other parts to play with a finger injury forcing her off for a ice pack and home for some practical first aid from nurse mum.

Comfortable on the scoreboard may have allowed for a lapse in concentration in the third, with two goals coming to a persistent Titans team, getting their rewards with a ball over the top, finding that space before converting. Struggling to keep up with an energetic wing partnership was proving difficult at times for a developing Tigers side and the stop, start nature of the game where the whistle felt like it was never going to stop blowing became frustrating. It made a bitty game at times, one which could of flowed but a part of the game the girls will need to learn to manage and look past.

The fitness levels is still something which is a work in progress, as we spilled into quarter 4 we had players asking for a rest… cardinal sin! :-)
The dynamic movement of our girls proved to be the defining factor (so they do listen… a bit in training), none more evident then from our star GA L HABERSON, often making the difference through her 1-2’s in the middle of the court and neat bounce passes to find space in the shooting circle. M LEWIS in this quarter being the benefactor and finding the net.
Cranfield seemed to give their all and made room for the like of D GREEN to find some space and provide some key passing off of an out reached interception to set up another. The ever growing in confident little winger is clearly growing in confidence with every game and it is showing on the court…. As is that smile!

Smiles were a bit premature with yet another finger injury a couple of minutes from time. A bundle under the Cranfield post found L HABERSHON pushed onto an oncoming ball jarring her fingers and forcing a change. Limping through the final whistle, it ended with a confident win with one of our best performances to date. A thorough performance by all and a well-rounded team effort.

FINAL SCORE - BEDFORD TIGERS ROSES 11 CRANFIELD TITANS 2
OPPOSITION PLAYER - J DHILLON
COACHES PLAYER - L HABERSHON

With 3 wins from 3 and possibly only one more game to play, this has been a successful start to newly formed group of young ladies.

BEDFORD TIGERS SAFFRONS VS MAULDEN SANDCATS
A loss at the hand of another Maulden team last week and still seeking their first win in the mini league, this week would be about the right time to get one! But…. Losing key players of L MORRIS and the long term absence of R DEVONSHIRE through confirmed fractured fingers in a previous fixture, both shooters… where were the goals going to come from…..

Step up L MARTIN, persistent in her desires to pursue a shooting role was this the opportunity to prove herself? Yes! yes it was!

Early on MARTIN looked keen and not afraid to shoot but the first goals came by the hands of E HIGGENS preying of the rebounds and finishing well. 3 successive goals … it was clear HIGGENS had her ‘shooting boots’ on this week.
A close fought quarter would turn out to be the tone for the match, Tigers just nicking the lead 3-2.
Quarter two went to the Sandcats, pushing back hard and bringing it level and taking the lead, they seemed to have the more explosive movement around the court but our girls were more clinical with the chances we had under the post in the third… further goals from E HIGGENS but pairing up nicely with L MARTIN saw MARTIN got a brace before the end whistle went.

This one was going to go to the wire and despite out prolific attacking qualities it was ultimately defence which won us the game. the final quarter were home to some fierce battles across the court and Tigers nicking the 50/50 balls with disruptive interceptions and break-up play which kept Maulden at bay, none more evidenct of this then J IZEDONMWEN who grew more and more into the game, using her towering height and timing to make a real difference and keep her opposition quiet. Heckles from out of the cage and questions of strategy, we stood firm and as the final whistle blew the onlookers were left wondering the final score….we did it, fighting until the end, by just one goal.

FINAL SCORE - BEDFORD TIGERS SAFFRONS 14 MAULDEN SANDCATS 13
OPPOSITION PLAYER - L AITCHISON
COACHES PLAYER - J IZEDONMWEN

A real nail biter and a great game played both both teams. Hats off to a tough Maulden side and a much needed game to raise the spirits of this feisty Saffron team, taking their first win of the season and a well deserved one at that. Players still testing their positions and finding where they best fit, it’s all part of the process… D LYNCH as a GK? L MARTIN a GS? Let’s see what the future brings. well done team!