Round 5: VNSL Match Report – London Pulse Tame the Dragons 50 – 37

Final Score: London Pulse 50 Celtic Dragons 37

Starting 7 today Liv, Sacha, Ash, Ellie, Zara, Funmi, Lindsay

The match started with Celtic Dragons taking the first centre pass and also turning over London Pulse’s C pass. However, Funmi Fadoju was not having it and turned over the ball 3 times in the first 3 minutes. After a slow start Pulse attack started to settle down and managed to get a run of 4 before Celtic dragons put their second goal on the board.

Going goal for goal, Everitt decided to disrupt this by putting pressure on the Dragons attack causing them to fumble the ball and once again put the ball in London Pulse’s hands. However, Dragons said anything you can do I can do too and their strong through court defence caused London Pulse to make an error and the Dragons WA picked up the ball capitalising on this and bringing the score gap down to 2.

Shaquanda Noels and Olivia Tchine were having a great battle in the circle and it was definitely one we all wanted to watch. The last couple minutes of the first quarter went back and forth and nobody had scored for a minute or so, definitely first quarter nerves showing. The last 30 seconds of the quarter Celtic GK really gave Pulse’s attacking end something to think about as she took a massive turnover to bring the goal difference to 1

Q1 score 10-9

Q1 felt like London Pulse’s warm up as they came out the blocks raring and ready to go with so much confidence that Tayla Honey, who had just come on at C  could deliver a ball from Centre Third into Tchine…. We loved to see it. Plus, I think we need to measure the length of Tchine’s legs because she was getting onto every single ball that was delivered to her.

London Pulse defence were making it extra difficult for Dragons attackers due to the bundle work from Keable and Fadoju who had been turning over the ball and getting the ball into our fabulous shooters and making the score 17-11, adding to that we got to see Lindsay Keable’s infamous tip of the shot during this quarter.

Due to the great work by Pulses defense, Celtic Dragons subbed off Georgia Rowe and put on Katrina Short. This gave Pulse’s defence something to think about BUT nothing they couldn’t handle.

Q2 score 21-17 

Whew, another close first half for London Pulse and Sam Bird made one change for the 3rd with Kira Rothwell at GA . It was goal for goal in the first few minutes of the ‘championship quarter’ but Dragons changed that by turning over a ball and taking it to goal bringing the score line down to 3, Celtic dragons did not come to play in the 3rd quarter, turning ball over left right and centre.

After working hard to get a shooting opportunity Tchine popped in a goal for London Pulse.  Alicia Scholes entered the game midway through the quarter – coming on for Ash Dekker.

This quarter had ‘hearts in mouths’ as Celtics were winning this quarter however in the last 20 seconds FUNMI FADOJU got a major turnover whilst falling out of court, her teammate Tayla Honey backed her up and delivered a fantastic ball to Tchine. When I tell you, this quarter was a serious one I mean it. Pulse and Dragons drew that quarter 10 all.

Q3 Score: 32-27

Sacha McDonald re-entered the game at GA in the 4th to switch it up a little. Again, both teams started strong in this quarter, but a C Pass turned over by Dragons was turned right back by the one and only Keable with a tip in the air. A massive roar from the crowd because they knew what this meant for the Pulse team.

Jasmin Odeogberin came on at WD to add some more pressure into the game, and after not even 30 seconds of being on court she earned a turnover.  Soon Another change was made- Berri Neal came on at GS. The Copper box gave her a warm welcome into the game and she came on fearless. London Pulse widen the goal gap after Berri Neil threw a swift baseline run and popped her first goal of the game in. Pulse find a new burst of energy and widen their lead to 13

Big Shout out to Berri for 100% shooting.

Final score 50 – 37 

Atlantic House Investments PoM was awarded to Zara Everitt

Pulse are back home for our next Match on Saturday 5th March as we face Severn Stars.  Book your tickets here https://londonpulsenetball.ticketline.co.uk/