City of London Academy’s Southwark Pride young guns ran Nottingham Trent University close from the start, but experience told in the end.
The first period began in frenetic fashion with both teams inefficient from the jump.
It did not take long for the quality of both teams to shine through however with Southwark Pride drawing first blood and NTU taking a while to reply.
Once into their stride the technical ability of NTU showed with point guard Brahe Ashton controlling the tempo early and Isabel Bueriberi causing chaos defensively and offensively leading to Southwark bringing in Shanice Flitton early to stem the flow.
This was a move that proved effective as an intriguing battle of the bigs commenced as the score remained close for a stretch.
The second half of the first quarter really saw Southwark Pride player to watch, Simona Henshaw take control.
She continued to be a nuisance throughout for the NTU defence, going coast to coast, drawing contact and finishing around the basket.
Ashton continued to be effective in traffic using hesitation moves and step backs to her advantage in an attempt to create open looks.
The second quarter began much like the first with Southwark Pride coming out of the blocks early and taking an extended lead.
NTU captain Vicky Gray showed her leadership qualities as she marshalled her troops, not letting the lead get blown open.
The Southwark Pride defence where very effective at denying Trent much below the basket in the opening exchanges.
Two converted free throws from Naomi Campbell saw herself and Trent grow into the game and they began finding the ball movement around the perimeter which they had been lacking previously.
Not to be counted out Henshaw showed more athleticism and caused more problems through traffic on NTU’s defensive end but a 6-0 streak at the end of the quarter saw Trent take a 5-point lead into the break.
Having found her range from beyond the arc, Gray then hit another deep shot soon after the resumption to take the lead even further.
Bueriberi continued to prove the importance of defensive rebounding, managing to turn defence into offense with captain Gray and overpowering Southwark on the boards.
This defensive improvement and the offense initiating skill of Guerreiro, Ashton and new Signing Abbey Whitehouse (who had a huge impact off the bench) was key throughout the third.
Guerreiro then finished the quarter with a fantastic hesitation and finish through the lane, the game was now blown wide open at 51-33.
The fourth quarter was largely a formality, but this allowed Trent to express themselves a little bit more through their creative ability.
Despite the result being more or less in the bag there was no let up on the boards as Gray and Bueriberi continued to grab rebounds and recycle the ball.
The key performances came through Gray who finished with 16 points and 5 rebounds with a startling 50% conversion from distance, Bueriberi who gave Southwark a physical test on both ends of the floor and Naomi Campbell who was efficient throughout and provided great defensive coordination.
After the game Campbell reiterated the importance of keeping in a game even when the shots were not falling.
Of the game she said: “It’s always hard when you come out in a slow start, keeping your head in the game, knowing that you’re going to get the looks can be quite hard so it’s about having that discipline as a team”.
On getting back out and playing elite level sport in the current circumstances Campbell said: “It’s incredible, all credit to NTU allowing us to practice and use their facilities, being able to compete still is important for us as individuals and the sport”.
NTU face the Reading Rockets at home next Saturday in an anticipated, close match up.
By Michael Vince