Storm win close encounter
07 March 2011
Surrey Storm took their fourth win in a row beating a competitive Loughborough Lightning side 58-53, keeping them in contention for one of the four valuable play off places.
Head Coach Mary Beardwood made only 1 addition to her starting 7 from Monday’s match - reintroducing Katy Holland to the line up at GD, and moving Natalie Seaton across to Wing Defence. With Loughborough needing the win to give them any hope of a play off place and Storm counting every goal to keep them in contention, it was always going to be an interesting match, and that was exactly what was delivered.
The first five minutes of the game saw the teams going goal for goal before a blood injury was called by Loughborough's Bliss. A chance to regroup, and the physicality of the match started hotting up in the Storm attacking circle. Morris and Caunt not giving Rachel any room for manouvre, however despite hitting the deck several times, 'Hollywood Dunn' still netted 8 from her 8 attempts. Turnovers were executed by both sides, but the visitors were more successful in taking advantage and won the quarter 15 - 13.
No changes on court at the start of Q2, and Trippick was quick to turnover a ball thanks to the ever successful Storm zone. Reid and Holland were forced to work consistantly hard by England Shooter Harten, and James - both of whom had a great game. However, Storm took their first lead of the game with 5 minutes remaining and a swift Reid interception helped the home team win the quarter, going 29 - 27 into the break.
Loughborough's defence continued to knuckle down on the Storm shooting circle in the third quarter, but the goals didn’t stop trickling through. At the other end of the court, Reid was forcing errors against her ex-team mates, but with Surrey not utilising all opportunities, the goal difference only started to look more convincing towards the end of the period. The quarter ended with Storm 6 goals up: 44 - 38.
Fresh legs took to the court for Loughborough in the final quarter, Haynes and Sinclair giving the visitors a final push. However, Storm were resilient in their lead and made the most of some rare rebounds in the Loughborough attack. The game ended with Surrey netting 58 to Lightning's 53, and put them one step closer to that play off place.
After the game, Beardwood was keen to praise Storm. She said, “There was a great deal to play for tonight, and the girls should be proud with their performance. It was a physical game, but we came out on top. My Gidden Place Most Valuable Player Award went to Hannah Reid for her stirling work in defence. Jo Harten and Becky James definitely made the defence work for the ball and Hannah was pivotal in the Storm’s success.”
A weekend off greets the Storm squad next week before they make the journey across the border to Wales to face Celtic Dragons. Tickets are now SOLD OUT for the Bath match on Saturday 26 March, but you can still come and see Storm take on Glasgow Wildcats on Friday 1 April or Northern Thunder on Saturday 9 April. Get your tickets online here, from Surrey Sports Park, or call the box office on 01483 689111.
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