By Cullen Loughnane
USW women’s netball captain Ali Chan says a Christmas recharge has had a positive effect after they delivered a much-improved performance albeit in defeat to Cardiff University 4ths.
The hosts outscored their opponents through the third and fourth quarters of the encounter, but were left to rue a rusty start in a 57-41 defeat.
“We had a rough start to the season, losing some of the girls to injury so I think over Christmas the girls had a reboot and we decided to come back with a bit more energy and positivity, which I think the scoreline reflects today,” said Chan.
Ultimately USW allowed Cardiff too many quick-fire batches of unanswered goals, conceding eight in succession in some periods.
Chan added: “Eight goals in a row is rough, but it’s about everyone recognising it on the court and picking our heads up in those periods.
“We’ve got the ability, and we just have to do better.”
On the other side of the court, Cardiff’s vice-captain Ffion Evans was delighted with their performance.
“We came away with the win which is always good, that’s what we’re trying to do more,” she said.
“It’s a nice way to start back after Christmas and this is how we want to carry on our season.”
Evans praised Cardiff’s goal attack, Lucy Harget, saying: “She played out of her skin today and a shoutout to Lily (Wilson goal shooter), she made a few lovely rebounds and catches.
“It was really important for us to get a solid lead right from the start, we tend to dip in our third and fourth quarters. That’s where we lose our games, so it’s definitely something we want to improve.”
The delighted vice-captain and her teammates have a week off now to prepare for their away trip to UWE, hoping to build on this win, while USW will host Bristol women’s next week, hoping it will provide the maiden win of the season.