The weather gods must of been looking down on us, as the first league games got underway at Bedford Academy last weekend, Sunday 15th March 2026. The first proper day of sun was gracing us, not only for ‘game week 1’ but sublime timing as it fell on one of the most celebrated days of the year…. MOTHERS DAY!
… and our mothers were out in force, our legion of loyal mums come out in mass to support all of our junior league teams (as they always would) but today they would be gifted a treat in the form of a chocolate bar from the club to celebrate.

So pre-game warm up always starts in the same way, music, chit chat and prep for the task ahead but today’s special day had Kate and Vicki flitting around offering out a little special Mothers Day photo shoot of mother and daughter showing the female empowerment all the way throughout the club!

BEDFORD TIGERS AMBERS VS GALAXY PROTOSTARS
First thing was the turn of our year 7-8 girls and our newest team, the Ambers got the early draw facing off against Galaxy Protostars. The Protostars are a team the Ambers faced in the most recent grading tournament and on that occasion they came out victors.

Kicking off division 4, Ambers had a full strength side captained by Piper, who also led by example from the first quarter providing some dynamic movement in the circle to claim the first 3 goals of the game. Galaxy had to absorb a lot of Tigers pressure from the very start and the defence consisting of Orla, Sienna and Marcy mopped up anything that came into mid-court territory.
Heading into the halfway point, just the single goal from a well timed and precise pass from Marissa over the top to a hungry Piper who finished well.
As the game moved into the second half, Galaxy were resilient and made much more of a game for it, Tigers finding it difficult to penetrate into the circle but their defence held strong with some excellent reading of the game from Orla to keep a high line.
Two more goals would come Piper’s way before Galaxy would finally find their way through and with a well deserved consolation goal in the final quarter.

Final Score - Bedford Tigers 6 Galaxy Protostars 1
Players player - Marissa
Coaches player - Piper
Excellent work rate and movement with a noticeable improvement under the post.

Ah great first match to get some confidence under the Ambers girls belt for their first season together.

BEDFORD TIGERS ROSES VS GRANGERS THUNDER
The Roses had a last minute placement change, bumping them up into division 3 as a result of their last weeks performance. An expected challenging season ahead but one these girls will take head-on.
Moving up with the girls were their opponents this morning in the form of a resilient and consistent Grangers side. In the grading tournament it was a hard fought, close battle with Roses just nudging it and today’s game would be just as hard fought.

Olive led the team out onto court with a traditional coming together of hands and the cheer of ‘Tigers’ lofted aloud.
Early moments of the game were positive with chances coming Tigers way but a sleepy start is what the girls have been guilty of in the past and we could not capitalise on it.
The table soon made its first turn with Thunder striking twice (I thought it never could?) in quick succession from penalties given away in the circle. This would ultimately be an area to work on for the team as discipline slipped too often given minor fouls and penalties away all across the court.
What the girls lacked in a little discipline they certainly made up for in effort and team spirit, never dropping their heads and fighting right until the final whistle. It was ‘Nip and tuck’ for the entire game, Grangers going ahead early on, only to have the pairing of Lucille and Emily kick into gear and pull it back to 5-5 going into halftime.
Tigers seem to hit their stride in the second half of the game with some beautiful forward movement, stringing passes together from back to front and our shooters had definitely found their range, even swapping positions to keep the defenders guessing.
A lead started to develop and despite the dominance across quarter 3 and 4 Grangers held fast owing to the performance from the sizeable attacker who we couldn’t seem to keep quiet. Defenders were swapped and moved but an excellent performance all round from the rangey Granger girl, brought success after success.
Going into the final minutes 12-10 up there was a feeling we might just take it (even if parents on the sideline thought we were behind). The forward duo were really working well and making for a formidable partnership but single handed the dark haired attacker from Thunder stepped up yet again. With just a few seconds remaining we simple couldn’t ‘keep ball’ and as the whistle blew for the end of the game, the ball came down into our net, bringing the game to an admittedly fair outcome.

Final Score - Bedford Tigers Roses 12 Grangers Thunder 12
Players player - Emie
Coaches player - Emie
Sheer hard work in the centre and excellent movement to connect back to front for the duration of the game

A tough game beckons for Roses as they face their sisters the Saffrons next week

BEDFORD TIGERS SAFFRONS VS BCNC EMERALDS
With an odd number in division 3 Saffrons had a ‘bye’ this week but managed to secure a useful friendly against division 4 side from BCNC. Coincidentally the girls were a few players short this week, losing Luna and Lexi, which although unfortunate, if there was a game to miss at least it wasn’t a league game.
Elsie got awarded the armband this week following her efforts in training and it was an opportunity to try out some partnerships and positions in this freebie match.
…and with that, the whistle announced the start of the game, only to be halted immediately for a unusual but mutually funny moment where Dana thought she was still playing her traditionally ‘centre’ role and found her offside… there is a lesson to those coaches for messing with the team line up too much!

It was a dominant display for the Tigers ladies, attack gelling and linking well together with less call for the defence in this game. A flurry of goals early on from Esme got the Saffrons into a confident place with contributions then coming thick and fast from GS Rose displaying some beautiful hold up play and linking in with her GA.
Much of the same rained in in the upcoming quarters with a unexpected injury coming in the 4th through an overturned ankle on our staple GK, Jhene. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery! This prompted unexpected moves for Elsie into GD until positions were reset.
The only goal of the game for a tenacious BCNC side was the last goal of the game getting them onto the scoreboard …

Final Score - Bedford Tigers Saffrons 15 BCNC Emeralds 1
Coaches Player - Sofia
For adapting during the game and taking on coaches feedback, collecting loose balls well and tight defending.

Back to training on Friday and like our Roses a focus on basics and conceding a little less penalties will be the focus of the day. A useful confidence boosting session, as they prepare for their first game of the season next week.

So week 1 …. Zero losses across our Years 7 & 8 . That one was for you mums!