Essex 54–39 Claygate: A Flying Start to the Regional Season!
What a way to kick off the regional season! Essex put in an impressive team performance to come away with a convincing 54–39 victory over Claygate.
With several key players unavailable, Essex knew they would need to work hard from the start. It was Claygate who settled quickest, taking an early 5–3 lead midway through the first quarter. Essex soon found their rhythm, though, and fought back to level the scores at 7–7.
From there, the Essex attack began to click. Kim Bennis, Johanne Linehan and Rebecca Wilks worked brilliantly through the centre court, supplying Leah Hayzelden and Maddie O’Shodi with plenty of opportunities under the post. Both shooters were in fine form, and Essex finished the opening quarter 14–11 ahead.
Essex carried that momentum into the second quarter, quickly adding three more goals to stretch their advantage to six. Claygate battled hard to stay in touch, but the Essex defence of Charlotte Peters and Emma Thorogood made life difficult, shutting down opportunities and forcing Claygate to work hard for every goal.
At half-time, Essex had established a healthy 25–19 lead.
The third quarter saw Essex turn up the pressure once again. Dominating possession through the centre court, they continued to create opportunities for Hayzelden and Oshodi and soon extended their lead to nine goals.
Claygate made a number of substitutions in an attempt to change the momentum, but Essex continued to control the game. Claygate struggled to move the ball quickly enough into their attacking circle, while Essex kept the scoreboard ticking over. Going into the final quarter, Essex were firmly in control at 39–30.
There was no letting up in the final quarter. Essex came out firing, scoring ten goals while restricting Claygate to five. A brief Claygate revival saw them rattle off three quick goals, but Essex immediately answered back with five of their own to put the result beyond doubt.
The final whistle brought a fantastic 54–39 win for Essex — a superb team effort and a brilliant way to begin the regional campaign.
Peters, Thorogood, Bennis, Linehan, Mead, R Wilks, Acons, Hayzelden and Oshodi
Coaches player of the match: Kim Bennis
Opposition player nomination : Leah Hayzelden
