Corsham Bandwagon just keeps rolling along

Same unit, different opposition, same result. This Corsham caravan looks on a collision course with promotion and it is only they, themselves, that can prevent it. This latest outing against their closest rivals for second place in the division, who started the day a mere two points behind, turned into a dominating display belying their close proximity in the league.

The magnificent seven started the first quarter in their now accustomed positions, took a few minutes to size up the opposition, then slowly, but surely, crushed RTM. It was akin to watching a Boa Constrictor kyboshing a helpless hamster. The difference between now and the beginning of the season is that they know what is required regarding in-game adjustments but now, they have learned how to fully implement them, with devastating effect.

The first quarter meandered along ending 13-10. The girls got into the huddle and, after a brief period about the opposition, got down to business conspiring to bring about RTM’s downfall.

It paid off, big time. It all started with the defence, and, once again, I don’t just mean the two in the defensive circle. Everyone contributed again today before the ball ever reached the circle, once it reached the circle Shelley and Lisa cottoned on to what the shooters were trying to do and just took their gameplan away with an awesome display of disciplined defence. For years I have been banging on about “ One possession, one-shot “ and today it actually happened. Get in tight behind the shooter, let her take it short and shoot from a distance that is a little out of her comfort zone and pick off the inevitable rebound. Sounds simple, but it takes a massive amount of concentration and discipline. The second quarter went 13-6 for Corsham leaving them 26-16 up at the interval.

The third quarter was the exception that proves the rule…. They were awful…, nothing went to plan, all the best-laid plans went out the window, all the umpiring decisions went against them…etc.,etc. But the thing is this…, despite playing 15 minutes as poorly as they have played any 15 minutes this season, they still only lost the quarter 11-9, meaning, their worst is still better than most team's best.
With the match score now 35-27, there was no need to panic and the discussion turned to righting the listing ship. Corsham scored the first two goals of the period and never looked back. The defence was superior to anything RTM could muster and the more they tried the easier it became to repel all incursions. The defence shipped a mere 5 goals in the fourth quarter and that will win you a lot of netball matches. The final score was 48-32.

Next up, the dangerous and unpredictable Pinehurst who have inflicted Corsham’s only defeat of the season. That said, if they perform as they have for the previous 2 weeks there will be no upset come the first weekend of February.

RTM player: Deb Carson, all fizz and diabolical offloads, another match-winning performance. Excellent.

Correspondents player: Lisa Wozniak, read the game well, disciplined positioning, great lean, and alive for the rebound. Top-notch.