Essex Open A became Essex Met Division 1 Champions as they defeated New Cambell Blues 41-38 at Redbridge Sports Centre today.
Essex Open A emerged as champions of the Essex Met League Division 1 after a narrow victory over New Cambell Blue.at Redbridge Sports Centre today. From the outset it was a closely fought contest. Cambell started well and took an early lead. However throughout the game Essex were defensively very strong and made it difficult for Cambell to get the ball into the Essex circle. Emma Shaw enjoyed an excellent game on her return from injury and Rene Hurley continued to display her huge promise as goalkeeper. Nicola Alves as wing defence gave Shaw and Hurley excellent support. Midway through the first quarter the scores were level at 6 all. Essex then started to dominate possession with Sarah Biss and Rebecca Wilks creating lots of chances for Leah Hayzelwood and Maddie Oshodi taking advantage scoring 6 goal with Cambell only able to make a solitary response. Towards the end of the quarter Cambell fought back and at the end of it had reduced the deficit to 2 as Essex led 11-9.
In the second quarter Essex dominated the early exchanges as Cambell found it difficult to handle Hayzelden and Oshodi who threatened to take the game away from them. Essex extended their lead to 6 with the score at 19-13. Cambell fought back briefly but Essex took their 6 goal lead into the half time interval.
Cambell made tactical changes at half time which caused Essex real problems at the start of the 3rd quarter. Finding goals difficult to come by Cambell halved the deficit. Cambell narrowly won the quarter and at the end of it Essex led 31-27.
Going into the final quarter Essex needed to retain possession of the ball and make it difficult for Cambell to get down the court. the first part of the quarter started well and Essex found themselves 36-30 in front and in control. However as in a number of games this season Essex found it difficult to retain possession and gave the ball away all too frequently.
Cambell battled hard and reduced the deficit to 2. However Essex kept their heads and passed the ball around in order to run the clock down. When the final whistle went Essex
held a 3 goal lead.
Hurley, Shaw, Alves, Biss, R Wilks, Hayzelden, Oshodi.