Ladies into Championship 1

Exeter faced a talented young Otter side on Saturday who despite not picking up any points before the game had ran every team they’d played to within 2 goals. After a long journey to Liverpool we came out of the blocks really fast, opening up a 6-3 lead in the first with goals from Jas Coleman, Jess Street, Izzy Baker, Jo Lamont Tuckett and a brace from Jess Garrad. Otter battled back into the game and came back to within a couple of goals in the second quarter before a brace from Tula Rimmer gave Exeter a lead of 11-6 at the end of the second quarter. The major count pilled up for Exeter towards the end of the game with both Lamont Tuckett sisters out on 3 majors but some resolute man down defence and more well taken goals from Jess Garrad, Jasmin Coleman and Jess Street sealed a 17-14 win for Exeter.

Exeter started the Sunday where they left off, going 4-1 up against a very experienced Rotherham side, Nina Rickard’s made some exceptional saves and contributed with a couple of assists on the counter attack. Jasmin Coleman continued her fine scoring form, adding 4 more goals to her tally during the game. Madeline Crow, Izzy Baker and Fliss Lamont Tuckett all scored as Exeter led 10-9 with just 12 seconds to play. Another great save by Nina should have killed the game but head coach Kamz Powell decided to call a time out to try out one of his new set plays. Rotherham stole the ball and scored a last second equaliser on the counter attack to secure the draw.

Special credit must be given to centre backs Cami Davidson and Tula Rimmer who both popped up with a goal each while keeping Rotherham’s Olympian centre forward Fran Leighton relatively quiet.

We now turn our attention to phase 2 where we’ll be looking to produce a more decisive performance against the teams who finished in the top half of Division 2, as well as the other sides dropping down from Division 1.