Fantastic Warriors too good for league leaders
Head coach Sam Griffin.
CHARNWOOD Rutland Warriors travelled to London to face top of the league Academy who were boasting numerous professional players within their squad.
Warriors started well, with brilliant defence from the start. Brown had the GS summed up from the first whistle and straight away started to win Warriors the ball. Warriors’ young attack struggled against the experience of Huckle so couldn’t always capitalise but the first quarter ended 9-9. The second quarter, Academy came out firing with fast pace and lots of physicality, Warriors struggled to find any form and lost the quarter 15-9 with Academy taking the half-time lead 24-18.
Coach sam Griffin gave some strict instructions at half-time to get Warriors back in the match giving them belief to compete. Warriors listened and the defence were outstanding with McGlynn, Tooms and Brown instantly turning ball and giving Warriors a run of five goals.
Attack started to play smarter with Welsh and van Neirop linking well to feed shooters Hughes and Watts. A great quarter for Warriors winning it 16-8 and taking the lead 34-32.
The final quarter was set to be a showdown with Academy needing the win to stay top of the table. The match intensified, but with fresh legs of Lount on defence and Brown having the game of her life, Academy couldn’t get any easy passage of play.
Warriors’ attack for the first time this season remained composed and clinical, Warriors took the win 44-39, a great result showing lots of development from the young side.
Warriors have four matches left in their first season in England Netballs Premier League 1 and look set to hit their target of retaining a spot in the league.