G11. Absolute Domination

Grand Finals: Here Come the Tigers!

Score:    Cove Tigers    13  -    3     LadyBirds

Scorers:  Ella G.     7 goals

               Ella K.     6 goals

I must begin with an apology for false advertising; tonight's game was not the Grand Final but rather the semi-finals to qualify. With that apology on the table, I will discuss Friday night's performance.

All season the Cove Tigers have progressed through each game with ebb and flow. Friday's semi-final was the first game was this was not the case. This was a game of only flow. Pure, unadulterated flow. The Tigers began the match with a fierce pressure on the LadyBirds both on offense and defense. The movement of the ball was crisp and the balance of the attack was what made Friday night's display so impressive. The offense would attack one wing, back off when they met resistance, re-direct, and attack the other side.

The shot rate was very high and when the accuracy came online in the 3rd quarter the Tigers stretched their lead and the game was out of reach. The defense was stifling with two of the three LadyBird goals scored from long distance, miraculous shooting. 

The performance was truly one of a team that has peaked at the right time and kudos to Coach M. for the growth that the girls have shown. They are ready for the Grand Final, and one can't help but feel prematurely saddened at the reality of the team's disbandment come the end of the season. This team has been a real pleasure to watch.

With the win, the girls get next week off and play in two week's time in the Grand Final. Unfortunately, the Guntons are off to Queensland for theme parks and vacation time. Poor Ella misses the final.

Quote of the Game:   " Good shooting tonight. I am going to be looking forward to coaching you in the Under 15's." - A Cove coach catching up with Ella G. after the game. 

Photo of the Game:   Ella with one of her fans (arguably her greatest fan!)

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This week, the final week for Ella G. and the Blog, we have selected seven bright shining stars! Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2013/2014 Finalists, the Cove Tigers:

Thanks for reading this year. I enjoyed writing the blog each week and appreciate the comments and guest writers. I may continue the writing for the 2014 Winter season if people would consider reading it. 

Go Tigers in the Finals!

G10. Winner Winner Tiger Dinner!

What a Return!

Score:     Cove Tigers    9   -     8     Hub

Scorers:  Ella G.    5 Goals

               Ella K.    4 Goals

Welcome Back!   After a lovely Christmas break and some cancelled games due to record heat waves, the Cove Tigers were back.  Ella had further incentive to perform well tonight as two very important guests were in town to witness first hand that which they have read about.  Nana and Ampa, you got your two dollars' worth tonight!

The opening two quarters of the game showed your Tigers roaring out to an early 4-0 lead with textbook offense and solid defense. If there any negatives, it was that more opportunities were not being converted. A late goal by the Hub took them off the snide and made the score respectable at 4-1. A late injury took three minutes to sort out.

The third quarter was a different matter. A tall, athletic Hub girl entered the game and took up a defensive position, shadowing Ella G. and completely changing the game.  Ball after ball was intercepted out of Ella's hands and moved quickly back up court. The score was quickly 4-3 before the Ellas and Shae scrambled a late goal in the quarter. By the penultimate horn sounded the score read 5-4 and the mood had changed on the Tigers sidelines.

The final quarter saw Ella's tall opponent moving forward which freed up the offence but the defence, led by Trang's aggressiveness and Sienna's smooth play, was under immediate pressure. An exchange of goals and a few turnovers led to a score of 6-6 with under five minutes to play. 

The back and forth play continued and with under a minute to play the Hub offence found holes in the Tiger's defence and took the lead at 8-7.

The Tigers were desperately launching the ball forward with both Ella's throwing up shot after shot. The final horn ended and all was lost.

Except.

Except maybe it wasn't. The three minute injury timeout was added late and the Tigers finally found their range tying the game with the fans jumping out of their seats. 

A late interception.

 Ella K finds Ella G. open under the net.

The shot is up with seconds left.

I will Tom tell you the result:

What a return to Netball in 2014!

Quote:

"That was exciting" - One of our Honorary guests, Ken "Ampa" Haltiner, and co-selector of the Three Stars

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 1. Ella G.

2. Trang

 3. Sienna