Champions are quick to find their feet

But immediately before their clear 66-28 victory against Lightning B, the side they are set to face next Tuesday – last season’s runners-up Blaze A – had scored a 59-18 win over the Rezzers Black seconds team.

Both matches unfolded at the Grammar School in the first full week of Premier Division action since an extended festive break, each showcasing the quality of the top tier’s best teams.

Ahead of back-to-back big tests in the next two weeks – firstly Blaze and then Lightning A – Rezzers Green showed glimmers of great form in victory.

Yet they spent the first 15 minutes finding their feet.

Tiff Gervaise-Brazier’s side lacked composure initially and struggled against a largely unfamiliar circle defence, with rangy GD Sammie Cox and GK Lily Simmons competing effectively for rebounds.

Rezzers’ relatively modest quarter lead of 12-7 kept the game open.

But their second quarter was one befitting of champions as, after a fairly even start, they embarked on a scoring rampage.

Lightning had no choice but to cheer when it was finally over.

Young step-up Harriet Savident shone at Rezzers WA after returning from injury, making plenty of nice feeds that GA Verona Tomlin and GS Clare Henry converted with ease.

Defensively they also excelled, with GD Gemma Batiste working towards player-of-the-match honours.

Faced with a gaping 31-11 deficit at half-time, Lightning tried to start afresh and go back to basics.

That helped, but Rezzers continued pushing them to the outward channels and built to 48-19 after three quarters. Their final stanza was similarly impressive.

‘I think we just got into the swing of things in the second quarter – more accurate shooting and just calmer in general,’ winning captain Gervaise-Brazier said.

‘Last week we played the men [in a ‘friendly’], so I think it’s always a different style.

‘It took us a while to settle, but really good defence – we made some good turnovers.

‘We’re looking forward to next week. We need to settle a bit quicker but all-in-all, for the first game back after a break, I’m pleased.

‘Really nice to mix in Harriet and we’ve got “Bex” [Chamberlain] and Cassie [Le Page] out of position – shows good depth in the squad.’

The promising Cox earned Lightning’s ‘POM’ honours.

Meanwhile, Blaze captain Nena Copperwaite described their own game as one of ‘musical bibs’.

They had near-complete squad availability for the first time since early this season and capitalised fully on that by giving everyone court time.

Some promising youth players served Rezzers Black well but Blaze outclassed their opponents, producing a red-hot first quarter of 17-3.

Blaze’s dominance continued – at only a slightly lesser pace – as they led 29-8 and 44-13 at the following intervals.

Olivia Cotterill coped well in both shooting positions for Rezzers but it was their C, fellow youngster Evie Robinson, who earned POM.

Blaze’s standout performers included teenager Lillie Cochrane playing a mature and steady game in the middle, plus their sharp-shooting player-of-the-match GS Zola Saunders and GA Abbie Greening.

Copperwaite also highlighted the returning Hannah Blondel and Amy Fallaize, who have been out of action even longer than the rest.

‘We haven’t had them for a long time, so I thought they played well today,’ she said.

‘I can definitely speak for myself and the others when I say we felt like we hadn’t played for a full time.

‘Last quarter we were a bit guilty of switching off – lots of errors – but I think that was to be expected. Other than that, I thought it was good.’