Final Score: Eagles 66 vs 33 Sussex Storm (W)
Eagles 1 travelled away to Brighton today for a top of the table versus bottom of the table clash. Having an unbeaten season so far, the pressure was on Eagles to continue that run and push on their goal difference.
Starting 7: GS – Kirsty Rusher, GA – Georgie Maxfield, WA – Abi Watson, C – Amber Frobisher, WD – Charlotte Burnage, GD – Charlotte Maxfield, GK – Naomi Sterio
Eagles got off to a flying start with the main objective being to gain an early lead and put pressure on the opposition from the start. With some quick work off centre passes in attack and some solid defensive pressure, forcing balls off the back line and creating turnovers, they were able to gain a good advantage. They finished the first quarter 16-7.
2nd Quarter: GS – Kirsty Rusher, GA – Georgie Maxfield, WA – Abi Watson, C – Amber Frobisher, WD – Charlotte Burnage, GD – Charlotte Maxfield, GK – Naomi Sterio
Going in to the second quarter Eagles were keen to continue to put pressure on Sussex whilst still building on their goal difference. Communication played an important role in defence, who continued to make interceptions and turn over the ball. The attack were then able to capitalise off this and continued to feed well in to the shooters who put the ball up. The second quarter finished 32-12.
3rd Quarter: GS – Kirsty Rusher, GA – Georgie Maxfield, WA – Abi Watson, C – Amber Frobisher, WD – Carys Willimott, GD – Charlotte Burnage, GK – Naomi Sterio
The third quarter saw a slight change to the defensive line up for Eagles with Carys Willimott coming in to WD. Sussex also made some changes, swapping defence in to attack and vice versa.
This change by the opposition saw an increase in unforced errors for Eagles and it took a little while to settle back down again and focus on their own game. Eagles continued to push on towards the end of the quarter, creating more opportunities for the attack to put the shots away. They finished the 3rd quarter 48-21.
4th Quarter: GS – Kirsty Rusher, GA – Georgie Maxfield, WA – Abi Watson, C – Amber Frobisher, WD – Carys Willimott, GD – Charlotte Burnage, GK – Naomi Sterio
Going in to the fourth quarter the aim was to push on and extend the lead as much as possible. Attack continued to work well around the circle making feeding in to Kirsty easy. Defence put a lot of pressure on the Sussex centre pass and again as a unit continued to turn over ball. Eagles tightened up their mistakes and their experience this season showed through as they held their cool to the end. Final score 66-33.
Player of the match for Sussex was their Centre for her quick movement and interceptions through the court.
Eagles player of the match was their GK Naomi Sterio
