Reviews
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Morgan Magnificent as Hereford Advance to Final
3rd February 2009
Opposition: King Edwards Stourbridge
Date: 28th January
Match: Regional British Colleges Cup Semi Final
Venue: Stourbridge (Away)
Score: Hereford 45 Stourbridge 37
Hereford player of the match: Kate Morgan
Many of the girls were really feeling the pressure as they travelled to Stourbridge in their biggest game of the season. This extra adrenaline certainly spurred them on as they dominated the early part of the match. Their build up play was superb as Kate Morgan (GA), Ella Langford (C) and Natasha Davies (WA) broke Stourbridge’s defence time and time again. Their awesome speed and agility made sure that Helen Hancock (GS) was given plenty of opportunities to score. Hancock herself was outstanding, scoring around 90% of her shots in the first quarter. This excellent play established a 10 point lead for Hereford and laid the foundations for victory.
The girls continued to push hard in the second quarter but Stourbridge began to up their game and the match became more even. Hereford resisted Stourbridge’s attacks very well with Anna Muldering (GD) and May Blackman-Howard (GK) making key interceptions, breaking up the opposition’s rhythm. Hereford’s attacking play continued to be very effective with Emily Pedersen (WA) often cutting inside to give Hereford’s play a different look. The girls gave Hancock and Morgan chances to score and the pair kept up their high level of shooting. The girls maintained the lead from the first quarter and seemed in the perfect position to go on and win.
In the third quarter Stourbridge began to dominate the game and it seemed that Hereford had taken their foot off the pedal. The lead was reduced to four points at one stage and the girls were making too many extravagant passes and being caught out. However, Jade Finney (WD) played superbly and seemed to have an everlasting supply of energy. She frequently threw herself into the air in an attempt to intercept the ball and was often successful. Her incredible play began to rub off on the rest of the team as they regained control of the game. In the last five minutes they stretched their lead back to 8 points and the final was in sight.
Though there were some scares in the last quarter Hereford were always in control and the game finished 45-37. The girls played exceptionally well for large periods of the match and though they may have lost some of their concentration in the third quarter, they fully deserved the victory. Hereford are now in the final of the Regional British Colleges Cup and one more victory will take them through to the nationals. COME ON GIRLS!