Confident win for Cowie Blacks
The absence of their captain due to illness proved no barrier to Cowie Blacks as they bagged their third win of the season with a solid team effort against MTM 2 on Thursday 29th October.
Cowie won the toss up for the first time this season and elected to take the first centre pass. This proved an auspicious decision as they scored within three passes of the starting whistle. MTM failed to score from their first centre pass and Cowie seized on the opportunity to increase their early lead. The MTM Centre was penalised on a couple of occasions for forcing contact, which allowed Cowie to capitalise on the possession they gained and score. Cowie remained calmly in control as MTM’s passing appeared sloppy and the receivers were unable to catch the ball. Cowie’s confidence increased and their simple short passing worked the ball into the circle where Claire Buckley and Leanne Thomson netted the goals to finish the first quarter three goals ahead, 8-5.
The Cowie team remained unchanged for the second quarter and the centre court and attacking players used set plays time after time to net goal after goal. As the shooters gained confidence they became more willing to shoot beyond their comfort zone to great success as the team finished half time leaders 19-8.
The third quarter brought changes for both teams and Cowie were slightly unsettled by their own centre court changes. Movement became frantic and passing proved inaccurate with the team losing its previous flow. Despite this Cowie worked on and thanks to some high passes into the circle from Vicki Corbett, which were deftly caught and netted by Thomson, they managed to maintain their lead to the end of the quarter. 29-18.
Cowie made one final centre court change in the last quarter and the team settled their play. Louise Fry continually offered for the square pass in the centre court and when she received a pass play opened up, Cowie then had the space to connect swift passes into the circle and net the goals. MTM seemed to have nothing of substance to offer despite their hard work and enthusiasm; their defence lacked conviction and their attacks lacked drive. However, the determination, fair play and increased confidence of MTM’s Goal Shooter earned them six goals, and her the team’s player of the match. Cowie dominated the last quarter and finished convincing winners with a final score of 42-24.
Vicki Corbett’s hard work following her second half substitution earned her the opposition’s nomination for Cowie player of the match.
Cowie Blacks have a rest this week before facing their Newtonhill neighbours Rebound on the 12th of November.
Team: Graham, Fry, McFadden, Elrick, Craig, Thomson, Buckley, Corbett.
