Hatters finish with a win

City of Sheffield Hatters wrapped up their Division One campaign with a win In Brixton on Sunday

Sunday 28 March 2010.

Women’s National League Division One

Brixton Topcats 55 City of Sheffield Hatters 79

Hatters finished their league programme in London and returned North with another win, the nineteenth in twenty league games this season. The result, however, doesn’t tell the full story, with the London side matching the champions for three quarters of the game.

The first quarter wasn’t quite the start Hatters would have wanted. Their defence was untidy and they were one step behind Brixton, who got open cuts and lay-ups to basket. Meanwhile offensively, Sheffield were a little static. Despite a poor 1^st quarter, they led 16-12.

In the second quarter, Sheffield’s defence tightened up a little more, reducing Brixton’s scoring opportunities. Hatters offensive movement also improved but with the referees failing to call contact under the basket, the visitors struggled to put points on the board. By the end of the half, Hatters had extended their lead slightly, to 30-21.

Any thoughts of a comfortable second half were quickly put on hold as the Londoners took the game to Vanessa Ellis’s side.

Lead by Payne and Ofamata, Brixton fought hard to get back into the game. With two minutes left in the third, The hosts had pulled level, tieing the game at 39 all.

Coach Ellis called a time outand whatever she said seemed to have the desired effect with Hatters returning to court with a much more positive attitude. In the remaining two minutes, Hatters had increased the lead to seven with the score at 41-48 in favour of the visitors at the three quarter mark.

There was no stopping Sheffield in the final period, with the champions finally showing their form. Some great shooting by Crowley against the zone and some good drives by Naylor, meant Sheffield were able to add 31 fourth quarter points to. Secure a 79-55 victory to wrap up the regular season.  

Top Scorers: Naylor 25, Crowley 17, Watkins 12.

The victory means that Hatters win the league by 4 points from UWIC Archers.

Hatters qualify for the play-off’s seeded number one and will entertain Sunday’s opponents Brixton Topcats  at All Saints on the weekend of 10/11 April 2010. In the other play-off games, UWIC Archers will play Sevenoaks Suns whilst Nottingham entertain Northumbria and Leeds face Barking Abbey.

The winning quarter finalists will then compete the final four weekend on 24/25 April 2010.

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Saturday 27 March 2010

U18 Women’s Play Off 1^st Round

City of Sheffield Hatters 69 Northants Lightning 38

Hatters eased into the quarter finals of the U18 play-offs with a comfortable victory over Northants at All Saints. Hatters dominated from the start, leading 18-4 at the end of the first, and 40-16 at half time. Hatters increased their lead further in the third and lead 59-26 with just ten minutes to go. Northants had slightly the better of the final quarter but by that time, Hatters had done enough to earn a place in the quarter finals. Their opponents in the last eight will come from the winners of the Manchester v Hartlepool match.

Team and Scorers: Ellis Clayton 12, Kendal James 12, Ellyn Carnall 10, Emma Burkinshaw 8, Charlotte Carrick 8, Rebecca Pinnock 6, Kasia Zajac 6, Jess Furniss 2, Jasmyn Owen 2, Naz Saghafian 1, Annie Crithcher and Kathryn Neal.

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Saturday 27 March 2010

U14 Girl’s Play Off 1^st Round

City of Sheffield Hatters 95 Stockport Lapwings 53

Hatters moved into the quarter finals with a comfortable victory over Lapwings at All Saints. Hatters controlled the game from the start and and by half time were up by almost 40 points. This proved too much for the Lapwings to come back from and the visitors were reduced to throwing up a barrage of outside shots, and although this worked well in the final quarter, the contest by this time was effectively over. At the other end of the court, hatters continued to pick up baskets regularly and ran out deserving winners to book their place in the last eight with a 95-53 victory. 

Hatters reward is another home tie, where they will entertain Southend Swifts.

Top scorers: Rhianna Laing  16   Sirena Sampson  16   Courtney Shaw  15

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Sunday 28 March 2010

U16 Girl’s Play Off 1^st Round

Sevenoaks Suns 77 City of Sheffield Hatters 49

Neal Lovell’s Under 16 side failed to make the last eight of the under 16 play offs after losing to Sevenoaks in their first round tie.

The hosts lead from the start and increased their lead throughout the first three quarters of the game to seal a comfortable victory and end Hatters season.

Hatters team and scorers: Leona Jorgensen 16, Katie Hall 13, Naz Saghafian 9, Annie Critcher 5, Isobel Hannity 2, Serena Sampson 2, Holly Shingler 1, Elinor Hargreaves 1, Courtney Shaw.