Firsts: Frome Stars vs Devizes Harriers – Tuesday 7th October
Stars started strong with GA Liv making an immediate impact with her clear-headed play and deliciously accurate shots. C Hannah and WA Emily worked their socks off, hustling to keep possession and directing some beautiful play through court.
The whole team implemented effective passages of play with direct square and straight balls allowing us to advance the ball to the shooting circle with ease. We ended the first quarter four goals up.
The second quarter saw more of the same with defence anchoring a strategy to prevent high balls coming in with GK Freya and GD Lucy working together seamlessly to put pressure on the opposing shooters.
The third quarter saw a rise in volume from the opposition’s side line. It got under our collective skin… our flow shifted and our dominance started to unravel. Struggling to regain our discipline and maintain possession we ended the quarter one down.
GD/coach Lucy stepped in with a much-needed motivational pep talk with an exceptionally clear message: DO NOT LOSE.
Entering the final 15 minutes, with her words ringing in our ears… we stepped up. We fought for every tip, every rebound, every opportunity to force errors. The lead swung from one team to the other, until the final minute… 58 seconds left on the clock and it was Frome’s centre. Down the court the ball went with some apprehensive passes around the D until it was into the hands of our shooters. A shot was taken and rebounded. Possession lost… and then regained!! 18 seconds to go and Frome slotted the ball through the net! With no time left for Harriers to equalise the final whistle blow with the score sitting at 37-36.
Tighter than we’d like but a masterclass in how to pull your socks up, dig deep and never give up. POM Liv Albrow. PP Liv Albrow
Thirds: Frome Hearts vs Melksham – Thursday 9th October
With a powerful squad, Hearts started off confidently and had some brilliant drives and secured a 10-6 lead in the first quarter.
Hearts dominated the second quarter with superb set ups around and in an out of the D. We maintained possession the majority of the second quarter and widened the score to 23 – 9.
Heading into the second half, we had three fresh players and made patient and thoughtful passes into the circle and held strong defence throughout to finish the third quarter with a 28-15 lead. With determination and motivation throughout from the sideline, we ended the game spectacularly with a 35-17 win.
Report: Freya Kingsley
Pictured: Frome Hearts
