CUP SEMI FINALS: TAUNTON Tigers WOMEN 56 – 36 EXETER EAGLES

Taunton Tigers Women stormed into the Exeter League Cup Final last Sunday by beating arch-rivals Exeter Eagles in a pulsating match at Exeter College. These 2 sides, close rivals for the Exeter and District Basketball Association championship title met for the 2nd time in 3 days and once again, Tigers came away with the spoils, setting them up for a final against Newton Abbot this coming weekend. This was a potentially difficult tie for the Tigers, who were missing their Captain Jenny Ridgway for this important fixture.

The Tigers were certainly up for this tie. It was evident from the first whistle that the team were focused on a positive result. To the delight of the travelling spectators, Tigers took the game to their opponents at both ends of the court. High intensity defence and good prosecution of the basics at the the Tigers end of the court provided the springboard for the victory. There were no easy looks or cheap baskets available to the Eagles in this game! Half court traps by Tigers were rewarded by turnovers from the opPOSITION and easy lay ups as the Tigers took the 1st quarter 13-5.

As is becoming increasingly customary with Tigers opponents, Eagles retreated into a zone press in an effort to staunch the Tigers basketfest. This served to frustrate the Tigers and allowed the Eagles to ease back into the game taking the 2nd quarter 16 – 14, with the half finishing in Tigers favour 27 –21.

The game ebbed and flowed throughout the 3rd quarter, but it was becoming increasingly evident that Tigers were increasingly gaining the upper hand and fitness was becoming a factor. Eagles continued in their strong zone formation, but Tigers “big men” Hannah Watkins, Laura Dyke, Petra Kostrejova and Emily Farthing were making life increasingly difficult inside and picking up valuable points as the Tigers took the quarter 11 - 8.

The last quarter saw the Tigers running game come into its own. Eagles resistance visibly crumbled as Tigers stepped up the pressure once again. More turn overs by Eagles – more cheap baskets for the Tigers. The pattern was set, the result was inevitable as the Tigers finished the game strong – taking the quarter 18 – 7, and the game 56 - 36.

This was a fine win by the Tigers in their most impressive team performance of the season. They can now look forward to the Cup Final next week against Newton Abbot, and are secure at the top of the league with a record of 14 wins in 15 games. Players: E. Farthing, J. Carter, A. Pow, N. Hartston, M. Pattemore, L. Clifford, L. Dyke, A. Brook, H. Watkins, J. Ciesielski, P. Kostrejova. Match report by Jim Hartston