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Hurricanes Come From Behind To Steal Win At Bridgwater! |
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Storm's Under 16 team went to the top of the South West Regional League after nicking a tense match at Bridgwater. The Hurricanes, without Evie-Mai Hagger who's out through injury, started with Stacey Bradley at Goal Defence as the only change from the team that beat West Exeter two weeks ago. It was Bridgwater that got off to the better start though and after the early goal for goal exchanges the home side managed to pull out a three goal lead to take the first quarter 14-11. Storm started the second quarter well and soon reduced the deficit only to lose concentration and let the home side stretch the lead by a further goal to 22-18 at the half time break. Captain Beth Thomas moved to Goal Defence with Hollie Coles coming on at Wing Attack and Storm set about reducing the arrears. With their half time 'pick me up' ringing in their ears the team went out and started to play like they can. Spaces started to open up as Storm looked to move the ball faster through court and safer in and around the circle. By the end of the third quarter the scores were level at 30-30 and the game was perfectly poised for an exciting final fifteen minutes. Storm carried their momentum over from the previous quarter and managed to edge in front, a lead which they kept to win a thrilling game 43-39. Head Coach David White was full of praise for his side; "We really showed some spirit in this match as we got off to a slow start and made a lot of basic and let's be honest uncharacteristic errors but they pulled themselves together in the second half and managed to turn it around."
Beth Thomas said the support from both sides was amazing; "If you could have heard it in there!! There's a big board around the whole of the court and they were banging on that and shouting. They had quite a big amount of spectators as well as us, shouting, screaming, banging and it was really hard to hear some of the umpires decisions when they were calling them!" Storm knew they needed to win this and their remaining game in Plymouth to stand any chance of qualifying for the Regional Finals. The club took a full coach to the match and White said the supporters really added to the excitement of the game; "It was an incredible atmosphere and both sets of supporters went through every emotion with the players. The building is essentially a big hanger and the shouting just boomed through the place, it was brilliant to play in. Full credit to both teams because they really gave everything and either side could have won it in the end." The win puts Storm on top of the league table with just one game remaining away to Plymouth Marjon on Sunday March 4th. Storm's next U16 game is the trip to play the Wales National Under 15 team at the Welsh Institute of Sport at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. The club is running a coach to the game, which is on Saturday 18th February, so If you're interested in coming along on the coach to support the team please contact us as soon as possible. Tickets are only £5 for the return trip!
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"I looked at them coming off at half time and they looked beaten because they'd put their all in to getting back into the game but still went further behind. We made a couple of changes, had a chat during the break and they went out with renewed energy and determination and really turned it around. It was great team spirit from the girls."