Saints storm their way into semi final
Fantastic result despite poor start
Craig Ritchie
St Mirren Junior Women stormed into the Scottish Cup semi- finals at the expense of Ayr.
Despise their lowly standing, Ayr Storm had a couple of good players who could cause highflying St Mirren some problems as Saints had both Ella Duff and Fiona Waddell out injured.
The home side started slowly, but soon got in to their stride, with baskets from Iona Ross helping Saints keep up the pressure to take the first quarter 22-13.
Ayr came out and upped their tempo to grab to early baskets and reduce the deficit as St Mirren failed to take their chances.
Coach Leanne Renfrew immediately decided to introduce some fresh faces, as her side reacted to their poor start as both Emma Jackman and Eilidh Parker scored to get the Paisley side back on track.
Ross scored a fine three-pointer as Saints opened up the play.
Steals in midfield by Laura Collins and Ross, which both resulted in baskets, had Ayr coach Laura Nisbet calling a timeout to steady her side as they found themselves 40-18 down.
Saints kept up their press and scored late baskets by Collins and Hall to go to the half-time break 46-18 in front.
After the restart, St Mirren did not let their opponents off the hook as Morven Robertson fired in a three-pointer, followed by a good basket from captain Shona McCrea. Constant Saints pressure had Storm struggling to get the ball out of their own half.
A couple of consolation baskets from the Ayr side brought some respite, before Saints finished the third quarter strongly with baskets holding to lead 70-24 at the end of the third quarter.
Saints kept their fast-moving game going in the final quarter with early baskets from young cadettes Emma Jackman and Heather Ritchie, before some sparkling inter- passing from Internationalist Ross brought applause from the crowd as she scored.
Saints were on a run, and it was to be a total of 12 points unanswered before Storm managed to get any points on the board.
Storm were penned in under their own hoop, and a fine threepointer and a quick lay-up from Jenny Hall, added to the home side’s tally and took the game well beyond Ayr. Maisie Huey and Alix Stewart kept up the punishment as the clock ticked down.
A late score meant Saints finished the game 103-30 up and advanced to the Scottish Cup Semi-final.