Reading qualify for the Nationals!

The BSKA Southerns are the traditional preliminary round before the nationals take place in the new year. This year they took place in the far flung and rather snowy Norwich. In total 9 teams were in attendance looking for one of the 8 spots at the nationals.

First up was holders Birmingham – always going to be a tough game, but out of the way at least. Next up was Oxford Uni – well known to us after many meetings in the local league – a very close game that finished 4-3 to them. Following on from this we needed a win, and up against new boys Gloucester we managed to secure 7 goals for a decisive win.

A loss to Kent followed before we managed to salvage a draw with Cardiff which was a fair result in the end. The match against Bristol stood out as an excellent team performance and a real nailbiter. Some excellent goals from at least 4 different players helped to secure us a big lead (7-3 at one point), however they kept plugging away and grabbing goals here and there. With minutes to go they got within a single goal and some great defence managed to keep them at bay for the final few minutes, 7-6 to us – phew. A loss in a close game against holders UEA left Cambridge as our last match. Some tactical spying from the balcony by our Ex Cambridge coach highlighted their weaknesses and gave us a strategy for the match. The tactics paid off and a very close game ensued, with Bristol cheering from the balcony to try and ensure we won to ensure the table was in their favour! In the end it finished a 2-2 draw.

All in all an excellent performance, the improvement through the day was solid and showed great hope for the nationals next year. A 7th place finish was a good result.

Girls: Beth W, Beth L, Hannah, Emma, Fran

Boys: Elliot (c), Blaggy, Steve, Jack, Dave

Coaches: Lucy and Stu

Player Stats after 4 League Games

This is as per the match forms – so no moaning about missing goals!!  Its tight at the top after Blaggys goal rush at the weekend. Having made one less appearance perhaps he should claim top spot?

 

Reading v Abingdon (21st Nov 2010)

With only a week to go until the first big event of the Student Korfball year – the BSKA Southerns, the match this week presented a good opportunity for some last minute practice before the tournament.  A full team was at Cheney in ample time for the clash with the orange  attired Abingdon. Unfortunately, minus Dave who was taken out by a cricket ball just hours before the game –  make sure you are all sorted for next week!

The match got off to a bad start as they opened up a small lead before we managed to wake up and get on the scoresheet – Stu getting a cheeky shot from under the post. Steadily we found our feet and started to get reward for our hard work in both divisions. Beth sinking a longshot, Blaggy grabbing a couple and Elliot also getting in on the act. Half time 7-5 to them. Fran replaced Hannah and back we went to try and claw back the deficit.

After half time and really upped our game, after a slow end to first half goals were now really starting to drop.  We managed to get 3 unanswered goals courtesy of another from Elliot and Blaggy ‘single handedly’ making a bid for top scorer – sinking yet more goals to get us back to level terms. Things were now starting to go our way as an unfortunate injury saw one of their divisions down to 3 players.  However, they rallied round and kept finding longshots to go back ahead. Steve was clearly perturbed by all Blaggys scoring, and got in on the act himself with a great longshot. Down the other end we managed to get the attack against 3 defenders to work and Fran bagged us a goal. In the end despite dominating possession for long periods and scoring some great goals, we came up short and the final score was 17-13.

Team:  Elliot (c), Fran, Stu, Beth W, Blaggy, Hannah, Steve, Beth L and Emma

Scorers – Blaggy 6, Elliot 3, Beth W 1, Stu 1, Fran 1, Steve 1.

Reading v Oxford City 1 (14 Nov 2010)

After last weeks unsuccessful trip to Basingstoke, we were hungry for a win going into the clash with Oxford City. Unfortunately the travel gremlins that plagued the team last year came back to haunt us as one of the cars managed to get lost between Reading and Oxford, Doh! A few minutes late we got underway and quickly called a timeout to get the team up to strength! No harm done. Phew.

After sorting ourselves out, the first half started well and we managed to not only stay on terms, but open a small lead as Stu slotted a short effort Nick grabbed a couple and Beth also got on the score sheet through well taken chances. At half time it was all square again at 5 a piece after Blaggy bagged us another. At half time Lauren came on after an excellent debut for Hannah – not conceding against her opposite number and we went back out to try and seal that elusive first victory.

We started well after the break and kept the scoreboard ticking as Stu got a runner, and Elliot scored from down town. Going into the final quarter there was nothing separating the teams and the near capacity crowd (of at least 10 people) were on the edge of their seats… The team really pulled together well as we gave it everything to try and secure the result. With 3 minutes to go were one down at 7-8 – come on Reading!  Step up Lauren to level the scores for us – great goal under pressure! Again they went ahead, but again we managed to claw it back as Stu finished off a nerve jangling penalty, 9-9. Agonisingly a last minute running in shot sealed the victory for Oxford 10-9, but it could not have been closer!

The commitment shown by everyone was fantastic, we were the underdog in this fight and we really showed what we can do when we play as a team. We took the game to them and made them work for every goal. Next time we’ll ave em!

Player Stats after 3 league games…

Korfball on Tour – Ireland at the European Champs

As previously reported, Reading player Lucy Martin was amongst the star studded line up from the all Ireland korfball team that travelled to the European Championships in Rotterdam last week. They were amongst 16 teams vying for top honors and qualification for the worlds in China next year.   The supporters tour was also in attendance, cheering the action from the stands as the tournament unfolded. In total around 25 supporters congregated for the home nations games cheering the players on loudly. Bringing a selection of apparatus including horns, whistles, masks, vuvuzelas, and a 9 metre flag pole!

Thats mine! Hands Off

Ireland got off to a shaky start in the group stages losing out to a strong England team and then also in a much closer game against Russia. High drama ensued in the following match against Slovakia which came down to the wire before an equaliser for Ireland in the last 15seconds pushed the game into extra time and victory was sealed through a golden goal. Ireland finished 3^rd in their group and won the respect of their hosts and the local fans who turned out in droves to cheer on the most unlikely team in the tournament! There were even write-ups in the national press praising the team for their fair play and friendly attitude.

Onward to the knock out stages held in Rotterdam, and the team was joined by Lucy (late as always!). First up was Serbia, now clearly in their stride Ireland won through convincingly 16-10 and Lucy gained her first cap! . Next up was a physical Hungarian side who muscled their way into an early lead forcing another late comeback. This time it didnt quite workout and Ireland lost out narrowly. The penultimate game was a must win in order to qualify for the World Champs and was against a strong Polish team. Ireland kept on terms but were always just behind, finally losing out 21-18. A appearance for Lucy, although only for 60 seconds this time!

She Shoots...

This all setup a crunch game against Wales. The pressure could not be greater, but it was Ireland who  got off to the better start pulling ahead in the early stages. By half time there was only a single goal in it. The second half was just as close and the game was balanced on a knife edge. Lucy had several chances in the closing minutes that came agonisingly close but despite rattling around the korf – wouldn’t quite drop… Sadly the match was lost by a single goal.

Ireland finished an very credible 12^th despite being seeded 16^th and only narrowly missed out on a world championship spot. All in all a fantastic achievement by the whole team. Also in the side was Clare Woodroffe from nearby Oxford ISIS, Clare chalked up 3 goals but unfortunately also made her name by being the only player in the tournament to be sent off. Fortunately, later investigations fully exonerated her from any wrong doing and exposed the referees mistake. Well done to you both, a great international debut!

Should have been Red for Simons in the final!

Much celebration ensued on Saturday evening and both the team and supporters struggled to make the final. After some dodgy directions everyone just about made it on time for the showdown at the 10,000 seater Ahoy arena. A near capacity crowd watched Holland triumph (again) in a very physical match. Belgium were valiant runners up – and were not that far off producing a sensational upset. Some crucial refereeing decisions may well have gone the other way on a different day and who knows what would have happened. The Dutch were gracious as ever in victory – launching into a pre-planned stage show to the delight of the Dutch supporters and the utter  bewilderment of everyone else.  Next time Belgium, next time…