Sitting top of East Midlands 3A tier in the BUCS league – Nottingham Trent University’s second team came face to face with University of Nottingham’s fifth team for their toughest encounter yet.
NTU have comfortably won all of their games this season – with their biggest victory being a 96 to 12 win against Aston University’s first team.
After winning seven out of seven games in a fabulous manner, the Trent girls maintained their unbeaten status in term one with a dominant 55-28 win over UoN on December 8 at the Lee Westwood Sports Centre.
The girls in pink were out of the blocks fast with a 14-6 lead at quarter time – with centre Nicole Carmo Alves being a menace in midcourt.
Goalkeeper Stephanie Winfield produced an excellent display in the first quarter accumulating four crucial rebounds.
Wing attack Phoebe Grey had a standout performance, with her excellent feeds as she threaded the needle between attack and defense.
Ireland’s Ciara Lynch provided a sensational second quarter with multiple flying intercepts contributing to a 12-goal lead at half time.
Wales under-21 Nan Williams was introduced into goal attack replacing Poppy Picken in the second quarter producing an outstanding performance sinking several long-range shots.
The third quarter was Trent’s highest scoring quarter with a huge 19 goals.
University of Nottingham switched around their attack at half time resulting in their lowest scoring quarter after taking off their starting goal shooter.
Loughborough Lightning under-19-star Sophie Murray was impeccable at goal shooter, shrugging off an impressive UoN defense.
A 26-goal advantage in the final quarter gave head coach Louise Hopkin the chance to switch things around – moving Poppy Picken into wing attack, Phoebe Grey into centre and Stephanie Winfield into wing defense.
The versatility within the squad was exemplary to see – leading the team in good stead for the second half of the season.
Phoebe Grey’s consistency was rewarded after she received player of the match for the second time this season.
Phoebe Grey said: “It was a good last performance before Christmas from the whole team.
“It was good to secure top place in the league before the second half of the season starts, we have high hopes for the season.”
Quarter scores:
Q1 – 14 – 6
Q2 – 25 – 13
Q3 – 44 – 18
Q4 – 55 – 28
Starting seven:
GK – Stephanie Winfield
GD – Ciara Lynch
WD – Katie Rawlings (Captain)
C – Nicole Carmo Alves
WA – Phoebe Grey
GA – Poppy Picken
GS – Sophie Murray