Match Report 21.04.2023
It wasn’t the best start with Warriors creating a turnover to get the first two goals, but Rangers won it back to even up the scores and the battle was on. Warriors made the most of the opportunities provided by some loose passes, with Hannah Stokes accurate in the circle. Rangers kept fighting, pressuring Warriors into mistakes of their own and bringing the lead back to within a goal 14:13.
The second opened somewhat controversially with Warriors being given the first centre pass, having taken the last one before quarter time, but Rangers managed to win it from them to even the scores. It took a while for both teams to settle in this quarter with mistakes all over the court creating a lot of turnover ball. Kat was brought in at WA, Chelsea to Centre and Kate to WD, but Warriors took a 34:27 lead into half-time.
It went goal for goal for the first part of the third, but energy levels seemed low and with both teams gritting it out, Warriors eventually got the first break to extend their lead to 10. Rangers made the switch to Heidi at WD, Kat into GA and Kate into Centre and the team seemed to lift. Kat shot well and combined well with Georgia and Heidi grabbed a couple of intercepts that helped swing the momentum back Rangers’ way. Defensive pressure created a held ball and Rangers were back in it pulling the deficit back to 5. Ash, Heidi and Kate combined to pile the pressure on Warriors, but they made it just as tough at the other end and the quarter finished 46:40.
Kat proved that being the shortest player in the circle didn’t stop you getting rebounds and Rangers started the quarter strongly, pulling the gap back to just 3. Rangers’ defensive wall left Warriors with few options and Warriors started to look rattled. Rangers looked fierce and smooth at both ends of the court. The defensive efforts created a held ball and Kate’s heroic leap for the ball saw her hit the deck hard but resulted in Rangers’ first lead of the match. Warriors played with desperation and the umpired had to work hard to retain control and keep the game safe. Rangers players kept their heads, played their team roles and pushed through to a fantastic 56:58 win.
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