Cardiff Uni 1 away, 1sts
18-6 Jack McNamara (4), Lee O’Sullivan (4), Remco Broekhuis (4), Helen Gubby (2), Dave Thomas (1), Joey Niblett (1), Rachel Knight (1), Sian Hunt (1), Alison Eaves, Julia Harnett, Natalie Gardner
The second match of the season for the first team, and a near identical scoreline. However, this game took a very different path to the game as Dragons started hesitantly, lacking in fluency and failing to put away their chances. It was some time before Jack scored from long-range to open the scoring, but the students responded with a goal from collect. Another long-shot from Rachel put Dragons ahead, but again uni responded from close range after Sian missed an interception. Helen then scored a couple of running-in shots, exploiting the inexperience of her marker, but a penalty kept the score tight at 4-3.
Finally Dragons began to exert some control over the game and find space around the basket. Taff and Lee worked a nice move for Taff to score, then Joey won a penalty for Jack to convert. Sian and Lee both scored from the collect position, before Rachel fed Lee for his second. The students had continuted to play well though and they grabbed 2 goals back before half-time, one of them an impressive long shot. 9-5 at half-time.
In the second half, Remco came on for Taff, Alison replaced Julia and Natalie made her debut in place of Helen. While goals didn’t flow all that quickly, defensively Dragons were much tighter and gradually they pulled away. First Remco used his experience to grab 2 close shots, and the boys began to dominate. Jack, Joey and Lee scored in turn, before Remco hit a veer from the sideline. Jack’s 4th was a running-in shot and the lead was now 16-5. Uni stuck to their task and got a 6th goal from a drop-off, before Lee and Remco finished the scoring with their 4th goals apiece.
Again the newer players held their own, particularly in defence, where none of them were scored past, and the final score was a good result. However, there are still clear signs of rustiness and the teamwork and positioning will still need some polishing.
Thanks to Ian for refereeing.