We knew going into this match that it would be a tough contest against Wokingham Red, who are currently challenging for the top position by just one point. The message to the girls was clear: look after the ball when in possession, try to dictate the opposition’s play, and keep working hard.

The girls did exactly that in what proved to be a game of two halves. Lynx lost the first half 19–39 and the second half 15–25. The third quarter was a particularly low-scoring one for both teams, with just five goals for us compared to eleven for Wokingham. Throughout the second half, the girls continued to show great commitment.

Despite the scoreline, the girls deserve huge credit for continuing to fight throughout the game. This match provided a great opportunity to try different player combinations and focus on specific areas of development. It was especially encouraging to see players stepping into second and third positions during a competitive match. Well done to Giggi, Izzy, Ruby, and Phoebe. There were some good passages of play, particularly the connections in the shooting circle, as well as unforced errors created by our defensive circle when contending with a tall, holding GS. There are many positives to take away, alongside some clear areas to work on in training.

Well done to Olivia and Freya for Opposition POM, and to Olivia, Phoebe, and Anaya for CPOM.

Olivia was outstanding in the attacking end, offering herself when passes seemed unavailable and shooting with great accuracy. Phoebe connected well with Olivia in the shooting circle during the first half and then delivered an excellent third quarter at GK, despite being nervous to take the bib. Working effectively with the rest of the defence, Wokingham were restricted to just 11 goals in that quarter. Freya worked tirelessly in defence, responding well to instruction by denying her player and earning several tips. Anaya did a fantastic job at WA, driving hard and taking her player on. In the final quarter, she moved into GA—also nervous to do so—but connected well with Olivia and was accurate under the post.

Finally, well done to the entire squad. You all kept playing strong and fighting to reduce the gap. There are lots of positives to build on and some valuable learnings to take back into training.

Well done, everyone!