Thundercats in dramatic final-quarter fightback

THUNDERCATS came of age last week in pulling off a dramatic fourth-quarter fightback to earn a 39-39 draw against Zebras. With both teams missing some key players, it was set to be an interesting tussle, although few could have predicted what was to come.

Zebras settled the quicker with Anna Trump combining well with Kath Coutanche and soon popping in goals at will while their defence of Anais De Carteret and Laurel Garfield were making it difficult for Tessa Hinshaw and Hannah Dunnell.

Thundercats hit back to end the first quarter level at 11-all, but their opponents dominated the next two periods to go into the fourth with a 36-26 lead. That should have been enough to see them ease home.

A reshuffle for the red-and-blues after an injury saw Laura Webber leave the court meant that Elaine Creed slotted into GK, Nena Bourgaize went to GA and Hinshaw filled the vacant WA position.

That rattled Zebras and Thundercats scored eight goals without reply to come right back into the game.

With nothing to lose, they kept the pressure on and with 30 seconds left, they pushed one goal ahead.

At that time it was Zebras' centre and, as the clock ticked down, Trump had a last, successful pop at goal to seal the draw.

The following encounter between the youthful Sharks and Crazy Roos had the potential of being a David v. Goliath clash.

Roos took an early 8-4 lead, but by half-time the Sharks, for whom defenders Gemma Loveride and Roxanne Wylie were in fine form, had reduced the deficit to trail 15-12.

It was a lower scoring match because of the tussle within centre court, with all players fighting hard for the ball and therefore forcing many turnovers.

Sharks substituted Jess Batiste for young Leah Green. She settled well and was soon feeding her shooters well.

The game was nicely poised at 19-all going into the last quarter with Roos having been rocked, but to their credit they regrouped, fought hard for every ball and put immense pressure on the Sharks' attack.

A couple of turnovers in the circle were quickly transferred to the other end of the court to the Roos shooters, who made no mistake.

The team's confidence grew and eventually they ran out 29-24 winners, but Sharks can take a lot from the game.

'I still maintain that Sharks are the team to watch in the next half of the season,' said development officer Gill Queripel.

'They are a young side who are starting to gel and believe in each other. I think the phase is ?watch this space?.'