Hinckley Ladies had two games cancelled this week due to the high winds, at one venue the post was actually blown over. However, the remaining three teams excelled under the extreme conditions and were rewarded with three wins.
Hinckley B team took on second in the league Leamington E at home in very blustery conditions. Play was steady to take into account the weather conditions. Hinckley took a small lead and due to tactical play from Centre Sadie Baker maintained it throughout. Player of the match went to Goal Attack Emily Harrison whose shooting was on target despite the wind doing it’s best to make things difficult. Final score 20-16 to Hinckley.
Hinckley C, away at Alvis B, instantly adapted their play to the conditions, coming forward for the ball and keeping the passes short. The defence were strong and increased the pressure for the Alvis Shooters allowing them to score just 5 goals in the first half of the game. Meanwhile at the other end, despite having to battle against the elements the Hinckley Shooters were superb, somehow managing to find the net and picking up the wayward wind driven overshots and converting them. By half time the score was 16-5 to Hinckley. In the second half Hinckley continued to control the game, both attack and defence intercepting the forced Alvis long passes and sending the ball back into their own circle leading to a great 29-12 victory for Hinckley. Shooters Charlotte Wilkinson and Darcey Arrowsmith were awarded joint Player of the Match for their outstanding play throughout.
The horrendous windy conditions also caused problems for both Hinckley D and their opponents LMR C this weekend. Shooting for both teams was tough with the ball being taken by the wind as soon as it left shooter’s hands. After a tight first half Hinckley D refocused and with short, strong passes down the court they managed to open up a small lead. The Hinckley defence made solid, well timed interceptions throughout, adapting to the conditions and carefully reading the game, preventing LMR from making progress down the court. The game finished 26-19, another win for top of the league Hinckley D team. PoM was Holly Hemsley.
Whilst the F team’s Saturday game was cancelled they did play earlier in the week on Tuesday evening. They had an even start to the game with Hinckley matching Ernesford goal for goal. Unfortunately Ernesford managed to pull ahead in the second quarter though changes made by them in the third proved an advantage to Hinckley as they were evidently weaker. Hinckley took advantage and closed the score slightly and kept more possession of the ball. However, despite scoring more goals than the opposition in the final quarter and playing a strong and steady paced game it was not quite enough to beat Ernesford and they lost the match 30-39. PoM went to Anna Poulsen at GS which was well deserved after contending with such strong physical defenders.