Panthers’ promising start fades away
THE visiting Weston Park Blades ultimately proved too sharp for Panthers yesterday, winning 50-44 despite a rough start at the wrath of Storm Dennis.
A flight delay left the Greens waiting an hour, but the Southampton side defied a hurried warm-up on arrival to resign Panthers to their second home defeat of the South Division Three season.
Blades drew first blood but Panthers retaliated with an onslaught, breaking away to 8-2 within six minutes.
This start had painted the picture of a highly promising team performance.
Near-faultless shooting from Clare Henry and eventual player-of-the-match Steph Batiste, drawing upon fine playmaking from welcome ‘new’ wing-attack Keeleigh Le Tissier, proved instrumental.
Meanwhile, Panthers’ dependable circle defenders constantly pressured the Blades attack and forced a number of turnovers.
Blades swiftly rallied but Panthers still ended the quarter 15-12 to the good.
Thereafter, Panthers began to face some conversion struggles and Blades hit several crucial scoring runs.
The visitors netted seven in succession at one point before going goal-for-goal to enter half-time two down. Panthers brought on Nena Copperwaite and later Lorna Hall, eventually settling at wing-defence and goalkeeper respectively in a period of multiple changes.
Panthers clawed back slightly from a six-goal deficit shortly after introducing Hall and a 35-38 scoreline sent them into the final stanza with a chance. But Blades' dominance of the dying minutes sealed them the win.
Panthers captain Charlotte Hill said: ‘Very physical the whole way through – it was a good game and we’re just a bit frustrated to lose at the end.’
