Corsham crush Croft, Joint Top

With Saturday’s demolition of Croft “B”, Corsham have quietly but assuredly snuck up on the rails to sit joint top of the SDNA second division. Yes, ladies, the possibility of promotion has now become a distinct possibility of promotion.

An unseasonably, yet very welcome, mild December morning promised perfect playing conditions with no breeze to speak of and no blinding sunlight. For the first time, this season Corsham were able to field their tried and trusted front seven of Shelley and Lisa in the defensive circle, Mandy, Lou, and Alice in the midcourt, and Deb and Michelle up top. At this juncture I would like to point out that this is no slight on the twins, without whom, Corsham would be propping up the division, and the fact they lie second is largely due to their ability to step in at various positions and play so effectively with a constantly changing cast.

Corsham hared out of the blocks, rendering laughable their notorious reputation as slow starters they pulled six goals clear by the end of the first quarter to lead 12-6. I don’t know if it was me or did anyone else think that Croft appeared short? There wasn’t one of them that was over five feet tall. Anyway, what a joy it was to see Deb back at GA, buzzing around the circle as of old, Achilles injury and all, fabulous.

There was no reprieve for Croft in the second period as they were outscored 17-11 to trail 29-17 at halftime. They had little answer to Corsham’s all-around game, movement, options,…decisive, accurate passing, astute decision making in and around the attacking circle, dogged marking, and beautifully timed interceptions…, this performance had it all.

Mindful of her Achilles, Deb made way for Laura for the third quarter. Sadly for Croft, it made no difference as Corsham, in a concerted effort to banish last week’s faltering display from the memories of their devoted followers, forged on relentlessly netting a further 15 goals to Croft’s 9 to lead 44-26 at the end of the third stanza.

In days of yore, and with such a healthy lead, there would have been a slackening of effort and productivity in the final period which would tend to leave a, somewhat, unpalatable taste in the mouth for the return journey west down the M4, but not today…! Corsham piled on the agony, scoring another 15 goals to which, a clearly broken, Croft could only muster a paltry 4, leaving the final tot up reading 59 goals for Corsham, 30 for Croft.

Just as Corsham gets into full stride something called Christmas comes along and ruins their run of form, dash it all…! Well done Ladies on a very good first half of the season, Merry Christmas to all, and see you in the new year, where I will be expecting great things and a concerted push for promotion… Yay…Whoop, whoop..!

Croft player: Mandy Gale, this is happening too often to be anything other than a ringing endorsement of how well Mandy has been playing. Corsham’s most consistent player of the season, so far. Excellent.

Correspondents player: Alice Wilson, dominating performance at WA, linking up with Deb and Michelle effectively, always available and demanding the ball in transition…, and always defending from the front, too. Terrific all-around performance.