Mixed write-up from Taff (on pitch) and Terry (behaving himself on the sidelines for once!)

Cardiff City continued their strong vein of form last night with a good victory over Bristol City at Howells. The last game between the two resulted in a City victory that may have had more to do with luck than judgement; this was certainly not the case last night.

As usual, Susan's end took control of the Korfball first, but it was the visitors who made the first dent in the score-sheet, a nicely taken running in posting their indication of taking this game very seriously. All four of Cardiff's starting attackers fluffed easy chances before Susan buried a long-distance equaliser, but Bristol hit back immediately with a long shot of their own.

A period of scrappy Korfball followed, with Rob and Dave getting stuck into a physical battle at the post, before Elaine worked Dave W's feed to tie the game. City then took their first lead as Dave T finally found the accelerator to net off Susan, but Bristol capped a see-sawing first half by equalising with virtually the last action of the half. 3-3 was a fair reflection of the first half, although Sian was unlucky to see two good efforts spin out after doing a lap or two of the inside of the basket!

In games like this before, City have lost their heads a little, been rash in their decisions and have hence played into the hands of lady luck. However, City have got better than this now, a some tactical re-arrangements were put into good effect by the players.

With some wonderful post and assist play from Rob D and Dave W, Elaine and Sian were able to put their markers under some very heavy pressure. It took a few attacks for this to work, but patience is a new ability in Cardiff City, and it was rewarded with Sian scoring off Rob's feed. With James on for Josh to add some height to an end struggling for rebounds, Bristol were reduced to many one-shot attacks, and after some intense pressure, Dave W was able to use his unexpected deep position to drain a halfway line shot and open up a 2-goal margin.

Bristol were in determined mood and dragged one back within minutes. The tactical change of bringing James on for Josh at half time had already worked well in defence, with James mopping up a good deal around the post, and he would make it 6 from 3 games with his usual aplomb from the deep once he got a chance to attack.

After this quick swap Cardiff would return quick back into a strong pattern. The boys doing a sterling job in close, and with Elaine keeping a tough opponent occupied, Sian was able to expose her marker again from Rob D.

Bristol's tactic of playing one strong and one weak division paid off again, with yet another reply, and a late penalty made it tense, but Rachel made her brief late appearance count off-loading for Dave T to notch his second at the death.

An 8-6 scoreline was a fair reflection of the game. Bristol's tactics did allow them to score a lot down one end, but City have the luxury of being able to score from any number of players (6 in this game) at either end (4 from each division) and from the bench.

This game showed that City is finally gelling as a good team unit, showing great patience and trust in tactics and each other.

City should not become complacent though. Yet another level needs to be reached if City are to claim results away against two University sides that have both beaten City in City's own sports hall.

Thanks once again to Grace for reffing us!

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