DRAGONS BOUNCE BACK

DRAGONS BOUNCE BACK

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""9th May 2013

Celtic Dragons were out to prove to the home crowd and the live TV national audience that they were made of better stuff than Monday’s performance, and they signed off Phase 2 of the NSL with a comfortable win over Hertfordshire Mavericks, 64 – 46.

The win puts Dragons at second place on the table, which would secure a home semi final against Surrey, but until Monday 13th’s game between Bath and Surrey is played out, there is no certainty.

Coach Melissa Hyndman is relieved the team was able to show their true colours again so quickly. “It was nice to blow the cobwebs out and that was the Dragons on out court tonight.”

Said Hyndman. “Obviously we fixed the demons from Monday but I’m probably a little bit disappointed with the last quarter.

“I’m happy that this phase is finished now and we’ve got a bit of a break. It’s been a really tough couple of days for the girls.”

It wasn’t all plain sailing however as the home side was guilty of footwork and passing errors in the opening exchanges causing Mavericks to turn over possession.

Mavericks’ shooters weren’t able to make the efforts count on the scoreboard however and Dragons’ defenders Sara Hale and Stephanie Williams were at the ready to snatch rebounds.

The contrasting statistics of the two goal shooters told a clear story as Lottysha Cato scored 91% compared with Vicklyn Joseph’s effort of 77%.

Dragons began the second quarter positively with three consecutive goals and their composure improved as the game progressed.

Mavericks fought to the end and equalized the number of goals scored in the final quarter though the overall margin was already too large to make an impression on the final result.

All focus is now turned to Monday night’s game between Bath and Storm, to determine if Dragons will play their semi final at home or away.

Quarter scores:
Q1: Celtic Dragons 16, Hertfordshire Mavericks 14
Q2: Celtic Dragons 31, Hertfordshire Mavericks 20
Q3: Celtic Dragons 49, Hertfordshire Mavericks 31
Q4: Celtic Dragons 64, Hertfordshire Mavericks 46

Shooting stats:
Celtic Dragons
Lottysha Cato 52/57 91%
Cara Moseley 12/17 71%

Hertfordshire Mavericks
Vicklyn Joseph 36/47 77%
Alice Ewer 10/17 59%

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