Wildcats' prayers are answered with a fine home win
The SETU Waterford Wildcats and management team ahead of the game against Fr. Matthews in the Women's Super League at the Mercy Gym. Photos: Noel Browne
SETU Wildcats secured a vital 86-60 home win over Father Matthews of Cork on Saturday last at the Mercy sports hall.
The victory was crucial and puts the Waterford team in joint third place on the Super League table.
Not for the first time this season, the STS-sponsored Wildcats got off to a sloppy start, missing easy opportunities, while the visitors made the most of theirs.
Six points from Wildcat's team captain, Helena Rohan, helped close the gap, which was eight points midway through the opening quarter, and the visitors ended 18-21 in their favour.
Things improved somewhat in the second quarter for the Wildcats as the outstanding Kate Hickey hit a combination of scores both from inside and from distance, totalling 15 points, while teammate Tiarra Brown was reaping rewards for her continued hard work, adding another eight points, leaving Wildcats supporters feeling less tense at the halfway stage as their favourites led 48-42.
As the game progressed, there was no shaking off the challenge of the Cork side as American Shannon Brady continuously found the net with easy scores under the boards as the Wildcats slept defensively.
Thankfully, her contribution was offset by excellent scoring from Sanjia Brikmane, Tiarra Brown, and the tenaciously determined Alyssa Durazo Frescas, as the penultimate quarter ended with the Wildcats leading nervously 72-60.
Gradually, as the final ten minutes petered out, so did the challenge of the visiting team. Orla Dullaghan made a welcome return after injury with 4 points, which were enhanced by more scores from Brown and Alyssa D. The final score of 86-69 looks like a comfortable win for the Wildcats, but such was not the case.
Whilst there were many excellent plays to reflect on, there were also a number of particular defensive concerns for coach Jillian Hayes -Hickey to work on as League leaders Killester come to the Mercy Hall this Saturday.
Wildcats will still be without Irish international Sarah Hickey, who is expected to be out through injury for a number of weeks to come. The tip-off against the Dublin side, Killester BC, this Saturday evening is 5pm.
