Warriors dig deep for last gasp victory
CHARNWOOD RUTLAND WARRIORS 50 NORFOLK UNITED 49
THE CHARNWOOD Warriors faced Norfolk United at home this weekend in England Netball’s National Premier League and having lost the away fixture by two points in the dying minutes of the match they knew they had a tough game ahead.
Warriors started poorly with Norfolk going ahead 4-0, however they didn’t panic and continued to settle in a new combination of McGlynn at C and and Robinson at WA.
The defensive duo’s move into attacking roles began to pay off with Warriors finding a rhythm and scoring 7 on the bounce giving them the quarter lead 19-13.
In the second quarter Gallacher and Griffin continued to work well in the attacking end frustrating Norfolk’s defence and forcing them to make changes. However, Warriors were finding it hard to shut down Norfolk’s tall GS but Warriors held the lead 30-26.
Changes were made by both sides working to combat each other with each individual player facing mini battles on court to out play their opponent, Warriors brought on Brock-Taylor to add some speed through the mid court.
The defensive circle of Hymas and Munro-Hall worked tirelessly and continued to turnover ball. However, Warriors’ attacking end were struggling with Norfolk’s defence piling on the pressure, Norfolk found a rhythm and took the lead 41-39 after the 3rd quarter.
Warriors had a huge final quarter ahead and went back to their starting 7 line up with Oakman returning to GK, hoping they could pull the game back.
Warriors worked tirelessly chasing the game with Norfolk keeping their centre passes safe. The defence were working on over time which soon paid off with an intercept by Oakman converted to goal bringing them level followed by another turnover giving Warriors the edge with their centre to follow. Warriors worked to be patient and keep the ball but Norfolk didn’t stop working and intercepted.
The last minute of the match was full of competition but Munro-Hall had the final say intercepting Norfolk’s Ccentre pass and Charnwood came out on top 50-49 of what was a thrilling highly competitive game of netball.