|
Hatters Close in on Title Two wins in two days over the weekend has put City of Sheffield Hatters in pole position on the race for the Division One title.
Women's National League Divisione One Saturday 06 MArch 2010 UWIC Archers 64 City of Sheffield HAtters 79 Hatters took to the road to play UWIC Archers on Saturday, in the game seen by many as the title decider. UWIC held the top of the table at the start of place but had played two games more than Hatters. Sheffield were looking to steal the top spot with this long awaited and much anticipated fixture. The home side started the game off strongly with the support of a packed sports hall of lively supporters. They took an early 12-5 lead with Sheffield not remaining disciplined on outside shooters letting Collins lead her team with a couple of treys early on. Offensively, Sheffield weren’t taking the best options and struggling against Archers “hands on” pressure defence. Then Hatters captain Katie Crowley entered the game and began to turn things around for the visitors. She demonstrated great leadership as well as going hard against UWIC’s defence and some smart team play helped Hatter’s to close the gap. Sheffield seemed more comfortable as they took the lead at the end of the first 18-23. The second quarter continued in a similar way to the end of the 1st with a fast paced game from both teams and UWIC continued to change up their defence, which at times threw Hatters, but not enough for them to take the lead. Some strong offensive play from Sheffield saw them pull away in the closing stages of the first half taking a 13 point lead into the half time interval. This gave Vanessa Ellis’s side a psychological boost to Sheffield going into the second half. Archers knew that they needed to close the gap early on in the 3rd if they wanted to turn the game around. Some quick transition play from the home team closed the lead to 6 points within moments. A much needed Ellis’ time-out followed to get composure and Sheffield then regained control of the game. Oaddams made some nice offensive rebounds to get the momentum going back in Sheffield’s favour. UWIC remained in the game with offensive rebounds as Sheffield allowed them several chances each time down the floor making the game harder work. As a result, UWIC were still in the game at the end of the 3rd quarter trailing by just 7, 48-55. Sheffield had an outstanding 4th quarter performance led in scoring by Mason who made some strong offensive baskets to extend the lead. Meanwhile, Avery and Hoffman continued to look strong for the Archer’s but they couldn’t do enough to get back into the game. UWIC’s fight back was all but ended when Collins, Butters and Spasowska all fouled out and with Hoffman struggled to stay on court with 4 fouls, Hatters were able to run out the clock.. Sheffield sustained their intensity of play until the final buzzer to take the win, the points and UWIC’s place at the top of the table with a final score of 64-79. Top scorers: Oaddams 20, Mason 18, Crowley 13
Women's National League Division One Sunday 07 March 2010 City of Sheffield Hatters 85 Team Northumbria 44 For the second game of the weekend, Sheffield faced 5th place Team Northumbria. Sheffield led from the offset, getting good looks in transition and managing to contain the opposition defensively. However, it was evident that Hatters were a drained side after yesterday’s victory on the road to UWIC as they lacked intensity on defence which transferred to looking flat offensively. Despite this, Vanessa Ellis’s side won the first quarter, 24-13. Northumbria seemed to struggle offensively to get good options and were forced on several occasions to shoot under pressure without success. Unfortunately, Sheffield let Northumbria in for a number of rebounds giving them multiple chances at scoring and keeping the visitors in touch. At the other end of the court, the home side continued to score freely and by half time, Sheffield had a comfortable 41-22 lead. In the second half, Hatters began to execute offences well, in particular the secondary break which saw Watkins secure several lay-ups, extending the lead further. Hatters kept the upper hand throughout the third, stretching their lead to 60-33. With the game over as a contest, Sheffield punished Northumbria’s zone defence at regular opportunities and were able to close out the game decisively, adding 25 fourth quarter points to win 85-44. Top Scorers: Watkins 18, Oaddams 14, Crowley 13. The win puts Hatters in pole position and with just three games left, Vanessa Ellis’s side are closing in on the title. Next Saturday, Hatters entertain Barking Abbey in a match being played at Doncaster Deaf School. Tip off is at 3pm. _______________________________________________________________ Women’s National League Division 2 North Saturday 06 March 2010 Mansfield Giants 63 City Of Sheffield Hallam-Hatters 68 Hallam-Hatters made the short trip to Mansfield, at the begin of a weekend double header which would see them looking to secure third place in Division 2 North. Mansfield began well, forcing Hallam-Hatters onto the back foot for much of the first quarter, and at the end of ten minutes, it was the home side who led narrowly, 16-14. The game remained close throughout the second period, with Hatters struggling to take control. Baskets were traded for much of the quarter and at half time, it was the Giants who led by a point, heading into the lockers leading 31-30. The teams continued to trade points throughout the third, with little between the sides. With ten minutes to go the two sides were tied with the score line 49-49. With all to play for, Hallam-Hatters edged the final quarter, outscoring the hosts 19-14 to record a hard fought 68-63 victory. Top scorers: Lindsay 21, Kirk 14, Malendowicz 13 Women’s National League Division 2 North Sunday 07 March 2010 City Of Sheffield Hatters 65 Team Northumbria II Eagles 60 Hatters made it a maximum point weekend and secured third spot in division two North with an overtime victory over Team Northumbria II. Hallam-Hatters began well and led at the end of the first quarter by 15-6. Any thoughts of an easy victory were quickly dispelled as the visitors dominated the second quarter, outscoring Michael Talbot’s side 30-11 in the second period to go into the interval leading 26-36. With the two teams trading baskets for much of the third quarter, Hallam-Hatters were unable to make inroads into the visitors lead and with ten minutes left, a shock looked on the cards with Northumbria leading 31-40. Whatever coach Talbot said before the start of the fourth quarter, it had the desired effect and Hallam-Hatters stormed back into contention. Winning the quarter 23-14, the home side took the game into overtime with the scores tied at 54-54. Hallam-Hatters pressed hard throughout the overtime period, reducing turnovers with a good team effort and were able to close out the game with a 65-60 victory. Top Scorers: Lindsay 27, Taylor 13, Kirk 11 Hallam-Hatters complete their regular season programme at Doncaster Deaf School where they entertain Mansfield Giants. _______________________________________________________________ U18 Women’s National League Northern Conference Saturday 06 March 2010 Barrow Thorns 32 City Of Sheffield Hallam-Hatters 56 After a slow start, which left the scores at the end of the first quarter close, Hatters found their feet and were able to pull away from their hosts to lead 26-17 at half time. The third quarter saw Hatters break the hosts zone and dominate the floor with their press, increasing their lead to 20 points in the process. Hatters tough defence in the final quarter helped them to easily close out the game and post a morale boosting 56-32 win. Team and scorers: Kendal James 20, Rebecca Pinnock 9, Ellis Clayton 8, Kasia Zajac 7, Annie Critcher 5, Ellyn Carnall 4, Jasmyn Owen 2 and Emma Burkinshaw 1. U18 Women’s National League Northern Conference Sunday 07 March 2010 City of Sheffield Hallam-Hatters 64 Manchester Mystics 67 Hatters produced their best performance of the season against a Manchester Mystics side who are unbeaten in the league this season. Hatters fought well against Mystics, trailing by just three points at the end of the first and second quarters. When Manchester extended their lead to 9 points in the third, it looked as f Hatters spirit had been broken, but Walter Campbell’s side refused to give in. Hatters were able to eat into the visitors lead but were unable to get within 3 points as Mystics held on to take the points. Team and scorers: Charlotte Carrick 15, Ellis Clayton 14, Kendal James 14, Ellyn Carnall 7, Emma Burkinshaw 5, Rebecca Pinnock 4, Rhyanna Bunniss 3 and Jasmyn Owen 3. Despite the defeat Coach Campbell was proud of his side, who still have an outside chance of finishing as runners up in the northern conference. Next week Hatters face two road trips. They begin at Hartlepool Heat on Saturday before travelling to Stockport Lapwings on Sunday. ___________________________________________________________________ U16 Girls National League Midlands Conference Sunday 07 March 2010 Northants Lightning 48 City of Sheffield Hallam-Hatters 59 Hatters, playing their final regular season game of the season, took the points with a solid performance. Hatters controlled the game after falling behind at the start of the first and ran out comfortable winners. Team and scorers: Aniie Critcher 19, Leona Jorgensen 9, Naz Saghafian 9, Katie Hall 8, Elinor Hargreaves 8, Holly Shingler 3, Serena Sampson 2, Isobel Hannity 1 and Courtney Shaw 1. ____________________________________________________________________ U14 Girls National League Midlands Conference Saturday 06 March 2010 City of Sheffield Hatters 76 York Vikings 22 Top Scorers: Sirena Sampson 14 Zviko Kafamba 12 Isabel Hannity 12 City of Sheffield Hatters 78 Gateshead Storm 29 Top Scorers: Rhianna Laing 15 Eleanor Goodwin 14 Courtney Shaw 13 Hatters warmed up for their two National League games by playing host to the Sheffield University Team. After a close game the delighted Hatters snatched the victory from the jaws of their more senior opponents, by 51-48. In the National league fixtures that followed, Hatters took the opportunitiy to give their U13 players some valuble league experience playing alongside the more experienced U14 players . Hatters were able to maintain their 100% record in the North East conference with two convincing wins against enthusiastic opponents. Next Saturday, Hatters travel to Leeds Carnegie. __________________________________________________________________________ Next weekends Fixtures Division One Hatters v Barking Abbey – 13/03/10 – Doncaster Deaf School, 3:00pm Division Two Hallam-Hatters v Mansfield Giants – 13/03/10 – Doncaster Deaf School 5:00pm U18 – Hartlepool Heat v Hatters – 13/03/10 – Headland Sports Hall 1:00pm U18 – Stockport Lapwings v Hatters – 14/03/10 – Lapwing Centre 2:15pm U14 – Leeds Carnegie v Hatters – 13/03/10 – Carr Manor High School TBC |
