Falcons Black vs Jets

Starting 7 
GK – Issy Beighton
GD – Iman Thomas
WD – Kathryn Binks 
C – Francesca Desmond
WA – Katie Flaherty (vice captain)
GA – Olivia Mason (Captain) 
GS – Helen Hancock
Sub – Hannah Joseph
Sub – Harriet Gill
Sub – Tyler Bexton
Sub – Alicah T Campbell
Coach – Donna Swann 
Manager – Zoe Caulder
Primary Carer – Donna Swann and Zoe Caulder.

The first quarter started with Jets taking an early lead but Liv Mason’s and Helen Hancock’s shooting pulled the Loughborough-based team back into the match, leaving the game finely poised at 11-11 after the first 15 minutes. 

No changes were made during the break. Falcons’ defence applied heavy pressure and created a number of tips and interceptions but unfortunately these were not capitalised upon. To make matters worse, Falcons themselves made some unforced errors, which Jets intercepted and took to goal. Throughout the quarter, Falcons struggled at the centre pass 1st phase, which contributed to their 9-13 Quarter 2 loss (overall score 20-24). 

Katie Flaherty moved to the bench and Hannah Joseph moved to WA at the break. The change helped Falcons retain their centre pass, with Hannah getting free with ease. Falcons also managed to up their number of rebounds, tips and interceptions, with Kathryn doing  a particularly impressive job at WD, forcing her opponent high and wide. This limited Jets’ options, and Falcons were able to capitalise. They won the quarter 14-12, to make the overall score 34-36. 

Francesca moved to the bench with Tamikah coming on at Centre. Falcons held their own centre pass and then broke Jets’ to level the score. The game went goal-for-goal for the next few minutes, until Tamikah found Liv in the shooting circle, who had an opportunity to take a long range shot. Liv made it, which catalysed Falcons’ comeback. The attack began to move the ball much flatter and faster down the court, and the goals kept coming from there.  Falcons won the quarter 18-10 to win the match52-46. 

A well-deserved win for Falcons! 

Player of the match: Olivia Mason