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Hatters seal title Hatters retain title with victory at All Saints
Women’s National League Division One Saturday 13 March, Doncaster Deaf School City of Sheffield Hatters 71 Barking Abbey 38 City of Sheffield Hatters wrapped up their defence of the Women’s National League Division One title with a resounding victory over Barking Abbey at Doncaster Deaf School. Hatters took control form the start of the game and by the end of the first quarter had built a 19-4 lead. If Vanessa Ellis’s side had any thoughts that the game was over, the visitors quickly dispelled them in the second quarter, trading points with the champions elect. Hatters edged the quarter 16-15 to go into the half time break leading 35-19. Whatever coach Ellis said at half time had an immediate effect and Hatters returned to the court in dominant form, piling on 22 third quarter points to go into the final ten minutes leading 57-24. Barking Abbey again traded points with Hatters in the last quarter, but the game was well beyond them and Hatters comfortably wrapped up the game, and the title with a 71-38 victory. Top scorers: Crowley 16, Naylor 12, Hutchinson 12.
Hatters finish their season with two road trips, beginning next weekend with the short journey North to visit Leeds Carnegie, who are still looking for points to secure a top three finish. The game takes place at Leeds Metropolitan Carnegie University on Saturday, with a 4pm tip. Hatters then conclude their regular season programme with a trip to the capital to face Brixton Topcats on Sunday 28th. Hatters top the table, four points clear of second place UWIC who could still tie with Hatters on points if results went their way, but would still finish second to Vanessa Ellis’s side, based on the head to head record between the two sides. ______________________________________ Women’s National League Division Two North Saturday 13 March, Doncaster Deaf School City of Sheffield Hatters 49 Mansfield Giants 40 Hallam-Hatters concluded their National League Division Two North programme with a victory over Mansfield Giants in a low scoring game at Doncaster Deaf School. Hallam-Hatters edged the first quarter by two points before extended their lead to what would ultimately become a game winning margin in the second, going into hallf time leading 28-20. The visitors won the third quarter 11-9 to reduce the deficit slightly, before Michael Talbot’s side wrapped up the game with 12 final quarter points to post a 49-40 victory. Top Scorers: Lindsay 17, Malendowicz 12, Kirk 10 Hallam-Hatters finished the season in third place in Division Two North, finishing two points behind runners-up Manchester Mystics. Hallam-Hatters face the toughest of tasks as they begin their play-off campaign this weekend. Coach Michael Talbot, takes his side on a long journey to the south coast where they will play Brighton & Sussex Students. Brighton and Sussex go into the game having won the Division Two South East title and Hallam-Hatters will have to be at their best if they are to return to South Yorkshire with the win. The game is being played at the University of Sussex and tip is at 3.30pm. ____________________________ U18 Women’s National League Northern Conference Saturday 13 March Hartlepool Heat 58 City of Sheffield Hatters 64 Hatters played the first of two weekend away games after a long trip to Hartlepool. Knowing that only a maximum points return would keep them in touch with second placed Nottingham, Hatters found the early going tough and trailed at the first break 15-12. The second quarter saw the two sides trading points, with each adding 20 to leave the half time score at 35-32 in favour of the home side. Hatters stepped up the pace with a tough press which allowed them to outscore the hosts and lead by 3 going into the final quarter. Hatters increased the intensity of the press still further in the final quarter, and were able to stretch the lead further to wrap up a 58-64 win. Team and scorers: Ellis Clayton 18, Naz Saghafian 17, Kendal James 14, Rebecca Pinnock 5, Ellyn Carnall 3, Jasmyn Owen 3, Leona Jorgensen 2, Kasia Zajac 2, Emma Burkinshaw and Jess Furniss.
U18 Women’s National League Northern Conference Sunday 14 March Stockport Lapwings 45 City of Sheffield Hatters 53 24 hours after the win in Hartlepool, Walter Campbell’s side crossed the Pennines to face Stockport Lapwings. Hatters had the better of the first quarter and lead by 5 at the first break. The visitors extended the lead to nine in the second quarter to head to the lockers leading 28-19. In the third quarter, Hatters stretched their lead further to go into the final ten minutes leading 39-27. The home side were determined not to go out without a fight and reduced the deficit to 8 points but it was Hatters who held on to win 53-45. Team and scorers: Kendal James 12, Rebecca Pinnock 11, Ellyn Carnall 7, Ellis Clayton 6, Naz Saghafian 4, Jess Furniss 4, Jasmyn Owen 3, Kasia Zajak 2, Emma Burkinshaw 2 Annie Critcher 2 and Charlotte Carrick. Hatters double victory puts them in second place in the table, having played a game more than third place Nottingham and fourth place Doncaster. Much will depend on the outcome of Tuesday evenings game between the third and fourth place sides, before Hatters travel to Nottingham next Saturday to conclude their league programme.
Next weekend’s fixtures Division One Saturday 20 March 2010, 4pm Hatters @ Leeds Carnegie. Division Two Play-Offs Saturday 20 March 2010 Hallam-Hatters @ Brighton & Sussex Students U18 Northern Conference Saturday 20 March 2010, 12 Noon Hatters @ Nottingham Wildcats U14 North East Conference Saturday 20 March 2010 York University Hatters v York Vikings, Hatters v Newcastle Eagles |
