Blaze A hold their nerve to edge pre-Christmas cracker

Two months ago, Resolution IT Black secured a significant scalp against the annual Deloitte Winter League Premier Division title-contenders, but this time the in-form B team went down by a single goal – 47-46 – at Les Varendes.

Up-and-coming Guernsey player Tillie Graham, speaking in the absence of injured captain Zola Saunders, had a clear game plan on Tuesday night.

‘This game, there was a bit of pressure on it as we knew we had to come back fighting and be able to get the win,’ she said.

‘I am really proud of that win.’

Both sides were missing experienced players, but in Blaze’s case young WD Emilia Mullins and GS Amy Laine stepped up to first-team action and ultimately did an admirable job. The latter had her work cut out against Rezzers’ considerably taller and more experienced Naomi Szmierek.

Rezzers were significantly faster out of the blocks, leading the youthful Blaze team 15-10 at the quarter.

But, after an honest team talk, a reignited Blaze retained their possession better to draw up a promising 27-23 lead by half-time.

Among their capable young guns was WA Frankie Savident, whose player-of-the-match performance helped guide her team forward.

Yet it was never easy going, as Rezzers – armed with a strong rotation of young shooters, including POM Taylor Callanan – hit back in the last five minutes of quarter three to hit the interval level at 36-all.

The last quarter was where Blaze had failed in October. They had been level with 15min. left only to lose by four goals.

However, they got across the line this time with a continuation of their strong team performance.

Graham, who played much of the match in an unusual GD position, credited the roles filled by Mullins and Laine.

‘They both played really well and played a good chunk of the game,’ she said.

‘They made a real difference.’

She added of their strong finish: ‘It’s good reassurance from our point of view we can have the pressure going into the last quarter, and hold our nerve and focus that last 15 minutes or so to get the win.

‘The goal difference just showed how close the league is this year – I’m really excited for the second half of the season.’

Blaze enter the break just one point down on the Blacks, albeit with a match in hand, and so are in a solid position to climb to second behind Rezzers Green in the new year.

Specsavers Lightning Strike have stayed in touch with the top three by taking the expected win against their B team, Flash, at St Sampson’s High on Tuesday.

They ultimately triumphed 67-27 but proved particularly dominant in the first half, where they scored 37 and limited their opposition to nine.

GA Abbie Greening earned Strike POM in her renewed shooting partnership with Donna Brehaut, who has just returned from injury, while opposing GK Sophie Pontin took the honours for Flash.