LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING DEV V BRUNEL HURRICANES DEV SAT 31ST MARCH 2007

After our confident and positive performance against Leeds Met we were all looking forward to a hard, physical game against Brunel, hoping to build and improve on our previous game performance against the London side.

The first quarter proved to be a close physical performance with both teams creating numerous chances and neither being able to establish domination on court. Lightning Development as a team, after a somewhat shaky start and with nerves settled, we established our mark, driving positively down the court, using the entire width, with our speed and strength this enabled us to release the ball confidently and accurately into the shooters, Leah Connolly and Hannah Perrett. Leah found her form quickly and showed maturity, strength and excellent timing against a physical and determined Brunel defence. Lightning defence Sara Parkinson and Kay Sparkes worked tirelessly closing down the space, making movement for the home side shooters difficult, this forced many 3 second errors for Brunel. . The quarter ended 14 – 13 in our favour.

For the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter coach Bev Burnham, made numerous changes giving all bench players exposure at this level. Though these changes were made we as a squad are more than capable of playing with any combination put out. As the season has progressed the team have become accustomed to how each of the members play and have every confidence in whoever is on court will give 100%.

With Brunel edging ahead Lightning Dev stayed strong producing some good passages of play, with the combination of Rachel Whitmore (WA), Katie Flaherty (C) and Kate Murphy (WD) driving down and opening up the court. All members of the team showed excellent defending skills and offered an option at all times.

In the 3rd quarter we saw Becky Gentle come on at GK, with her height the same as the Brunel GS, they found it difficult to give overheads, this forced many errors on the home team’s behalf allowing our defence to make numerous interception and tips. There were times during the 2nd half of the game when we seemed to forget our game plan, this is an area that we need to improve on before our next match.

Although we came 2nd best today, overall there were more positives, as a team we stayed upbeat throughout, even as the goal difference widened we still gave 100% and did not let our heads go down, man to man defence down the court forced many errors, rotational work in the circle at both ends created shooting options at our attacking end and closed down theirs in our defensive circle. We can take away from today’s match great team work and spirit, determination to stay focused and confidence in our team mates.

Final score Brunel Hurricanes Dev 53 Loughborough Lightning Dev 40.

Player of the match Leah Connolly.

Rachel Whitmore, Captain 31.3.07