Day 5 at Terrigal saw us have to play our old foe, Rockingham, in the Semi Final of the Shield.  A re-match of our WABL Grand Final two weeks ago (we won by 2 points), two Mother/Daughter combinations at the coaching helm, and the third WA team at the Championships, Stirling, helping to welcome players onto court created an exciting atmosphere.  Our supporters were decked out in their best royal blue sparkly attire and were in fine voice.

The scene was set for an epic struggle.  Just for a change (not!) it was a fast and furious start with baskets being traded on fast breaks and hard drives to the basket.  We have to be at our quickest when we play Rockingham and move our feet fast to stop their drives and fast break.  There’s little time to think, it’s all about fast reactions and the guts to go for it.  The battle under the basket was fierce, every rebound was hard fought and heaven help anyone that didn’t make a strong outlet pass because if you didn’t, the other team had intercepted it and scored before you could blink.

We went into the quarter time break 5 points up.  In the second quarter the Flames chipped away at our lead and then we went into a lull for the final three minutes of the quarter, not putting in our shots and letting the Flames score 7 points to our 1.  Half time it was 21-27, we had our work cut out to get back into this game.

In the third quarter the girls busted their guts in defence, creating some crucial turnovers and doing a tremendous job rebounding.  We clawed our way back during the quarter to go into three quarter time just 2 points down.  The scene was set for an epic final quarter – or did I already use that adjective?  Too bad – it’s true.  It was going to be epic.  With 3.48 minutes to go we hit the lead with a great 3 pointer and then backed it up with another 2.  5 points up and we seemed to have the momentum.  Alas, it was not to be as the Flames then tried to get ascendancy.  With 23 seconds to go we were 1 point up and Rockingham took a time out to advance the ball.  An aggressive attack on the basket resulted in a two pointer that put them a point up with 16 seconds to go.  A Hawks time out to progress the ball and a side play drawn up for the girls.  Flames’ defence was desperate and paid off as our shot missed and no foul was called.  The Flames claimed victory - L

It was an excellent game from both teams and just creates even more rivalry for the next time we play them.  Our Coaches and Players were bitterly disappointed but we have been greatly encouraged that we won the Social Media award today so we did get one win out of two!!  The match of the Championship takes place tonight between Bulleen and Knox in the Championship semi final – so we’re off to see the first quarter and then we’ve finally got a chance to have a dinner with our full entourage, currently numbering 27 in addition to our 13 member team. 

Tomorrow we take on the Hornsby Spiders and we are expecting another tough game.

 

 

Article : Kerry Clarke

Photo:   Kangaroo Photos