Strathclyde Sirens take the long trip down to Surrey Sports Park as Storm return to play after a bye weekend. The last time these two teams matched up Sirens walked away with a narrow two goal victory in the North.
A blow to both squads coming into the game as Sirens hit the court without Niamh McCall and Claire Maxwell whilst the home side Storm miss captain Yasmin Parsons and Alima Priest.
Sirens begin from centre pass striking first as Goodwin sinks her first shot of the game. Storm replies as Frankie wells finds the net and both teams exchange goal for goal.
Emma Barry holding great position on Leah Middleton gives Sirens the first lead of the game as the away team build momentum and take a 3 goal lead.
Storm struggle in their first phase of attack as Sirens defensive unit do a great job to force storm into their own third.
Felisitus Kwangwa swho would go on to win Player Of The Match fly’s through the air to intercept the ball. However, lack of execution Storm are unable to find the net at the other end. Sirens continue to make Storm work hard to transition the ball in the through court.
At the other end Barry’s size and length continues to take advantage of Middleton as the shooter propels them to a 5-goal lead.
Storm swing the momentum in the last few possessions of the quarter as Kwangwa darts around the court and Sophia Candappa finds Peace for some arial takes to finish the opening quarter 15 – 17.
Storm up the energy on defence to begin the 2nd quarter as Sirens now struggle to find Barrie in the shooting circle. Candappa with her first start for Storm has been locked in from FCP as the experience WA picks out Peace from all areas of the court to tie the game in the opening minutes.
After the game being tied at 20 a piece both teams go goal for goal as neither side are able to pull away in the first 7 minutes. Both teams not giving an inch as turnovers continue at either end before Sirens eventually feed Goodwin.
Niamh Cooper center pass feed to Proscovia Peace to keep Storm within striking distance of Sirens and Frankie Wells ties the game again at 25 goals each.
Storm take the lead for the first time with 2 minutes to go to give the home side the advantage before Sirens reply to tie the game up heading into the locker room 27 – 27.
Storm are the first to open the scoring in the second half after Candappa locates Peace in the back space as the Ugandan shooter finds the net.
Sirens clinical with possession forces Storm to try and shake up the game as Niamh Cooper is replaced by Chartie Curtis to make an impact on this goal for goal game.
With 6 minutes to go Sirens take a 2-goal advantage as Storm trail behind. Looking composed around the circles edge Storm continue to stay in the game as Emma Magee replaces Frankie Wells for some attacking pace.
An airball from Barrie leads to Middleton to recover the ball and the shooter to shooter connection between Magee and Peace sees Storm take the lead by 1 goal again. A quick centre pass and Storm net one more before the whistle taking a 2 goal lead heading into the final quarter.
A flying start for Storm to begin the 4th as the home side recover ball and punish all mistakes from Sirens.
Proscovia Peace doing what she does best making an unbelievable shot falling out of bounds as Storm lead by 5 goals. Not going down easy Sirens battle their way back into the game putting the pressure on Storm.
Kwangwa who has been everywhere ran hard on ball for a needed interception to give Storm a 4 -goal cushion after Peace sinks her shot.
Sirens change Goodwin to Goal Shooter for Emma Barrie with 3 minutes to go and she reduces the deficit to 2-goals with 2 minutes left in the game.
Storm having experience in these situation this season manage to hold onto the ball and execute in the final minutes to take a 55-52 home victory.
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