Member NewsEngland Netball - SuperCup 2003 - Birmingham University BlazeBlaze lose to Bath and finish fourth25th May 2003By Siobhan Atkinson
Team Bath Force finally delivered what they have been promising for three years in this competition. They took third place in the event after beating Birmingham University Blaze 40 - 31. A solid all round performance from the Team Bath players saw them pull of a run of four unbeaten games. Coach of Team Bath Force Jan Crabtree said Pamela Cookey continued her journey back to full fitness and posted a good performance. At times her movements was just sensational and with a full season behind her next year she will cause defences lots of issues. Bath fielded an experienced defence line up of Mentor at GK, Welsh international Billy Bowers at GD and Natalie Seaton at WD. This combination was successfully in restricting the movement of the Blaze attack. Coach of the Blaze, Colette Thomson admitted that she was deeply disappointed with her team's loss. "We didn't make the most of our opportunities. Too many errors were made and we didn't stick to the game plan. However Bath played well and they deserved the win."Gemma Gibson and Verona Jackson worked hard for the Blaze in defence but gained little reward for their efforts. In a low scoring game the ball moved up and down the court with long periods between goals. Blaze were however without the services of England International Karen Aspinall who was suffering from illness and was unable to take any part in the game. Blaze therefore had limited options in their mid court combinations but Astle was back in action in the circle for them. Camilla Buchanan had a good game at WA for the Force with some beautiful placements of the ball into shooters Garland and Cookey and later Rachel Dunn. Bath displayed great poise and were patient with their possession and it was these characteristics which gave them victory. It was a very mature performance from a team whose average age is just 21. Blazes had limited chances in the 60 minutes but were unable to really capitalise on them. The first quarter was perhaps the most exciting with nothing to chose between the two sides. Goals were scored off each team's centre passes and the scores were locked at 11 all. For the next 45 minutes Bath held the upper hand and did the crucial damage in the final 15 minutes of play taking the quarter 10 - 5. It was a double delight for Force GD Billy Bowers who was named as "Ted Baker" woman of the match. Bowers who will line up against some of her Force team mates at the World Champs later this year said "Winning the player of the match award was a real bonus. I am just so pleased for the team that we won. We have improved so much since our first game and our hard work payed off today. "Blaze were disappointed with their campaign. After being beaten in the final for the past two years they had high hopes of finally taking the title. Captain Alex Astle said "We made a positive start but made too many unforced errors. Bath played well and cohesively." All teams will be keen to be in the action next year and it will be even tougher. Astle said "I am looking forward to next year, this competition is just getting better and better"
Previous Results 2001 Birmingham University Blaze 64 Team Bath Force 36 2002 Birmingham University Blaze 51 Team Bath Force 48 2003 Birmingham University Blaze 46 Team Bath Force 42 Umpires Beryl Lewis Turner - IFNA Umpire Hayley Gillman - IFNA Umpire
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