Cardiff City Korfball Club

Cardiff City Squad

Rachel Knight, Kat Crimmins, Dave Thomas, Rob Davies, Susan Belfourd, Kristina Van Eker, Ceri Jones, Lee O'Sullivan

Terry's latest wafflings

Cardiff City hosted their Bristol namesakes yesterday in Howells, with both their position and pride on the line. In the opening fixture of the season, Bristol claimed the win, so they travelled over the bridge with both top spot and the double in the forefront of their minds.

Cardiff were still without star turn Harry, and defensive lynchpin Sian. Therefore Lee and Kristina started only their second and debut games for the firsts in a new look division with Rachel and Ceri. At the other end, Captain Susan would be supported by her regular partners in Rob, Dave and Midge.

The latter quartet attacked first, and while Bristol were sorting who was going to mark danger points Susan and Dave, Midge stepped up and showed that you can't take your eye off any player in the blue and white. Early indications were that Bristol would use the same tactic that was so successful last time, a long shot dropping to make the scores level.

After a few misfires to be expected in a new division, things finally started to work, Kristina indicating her arrival with a runner that was abruptly halted mid-shot. Ceri stepped up and confidently slotted away the penalty. With the defence at the other end looking well drilled, it wasn't long before the ball came back onto the attack, where Ceri and Lee caused enough confusion for Kristina to land a nice effort from a few meters.

At the other end, Bristol continued with their tactic of heavily marking their perceived dangers. This meant when Dave charged in, all Rob had to do was wait in the acres of space left to him. One quick pass later and Rob had the time to float one in perfectly, the ball barely touching the wicker from 20 metres away.

Last week Lee marked one of the South West's best players, and was given the job again, and at this end the learning curve is steep. A slight over balance and star opponent Ian Dellbridge was turned and dropping the ball in.

After the switch, Rob was instrumental again, breaking up two successive attacks with some impressive collecting work. It was third time lucky for Kristina in attack, after turning her marker inside out twice but seeing the shot roll out, the third attempt dropped with aplomb.

Stung from his earlier embarrassment, Lee took his revenge, storming in at Ian leaving him no choice but to foul, Ceri converted again to move the score to 6-2.

This was the second time in three weeks that City had found themselves in a comfortable lead after 20 minutes. However, this was also the second game in a row against quality opposition and top table contenders. The lead was pegged back twice in quick succession, with Bristol's girls starting to exert some influence on the game. A simple drop off the back dragged a four-goal lead back to 1 at the half time, and as the game started, all fairly even.

After some reassuring words and oranges at the break Kristina started off the 2nd half by dropping in her third from mid court. Ian Dellbridge then earned and converted a penalty in a clear indication of why he is one of the best players in the league.

Back in attack, the extremely influential Rob was exploiting the space being afforded to him, this time slinging a training ground cross ball over to Susan who was clumsily fouled. Taff made no mistake from the spot and the margin was back to 2. After the swap Kristina raced past her marker again, only to be fouled again, and Ceri scored from the spot, again.

Bristol, like the hosts, had a plan and were going to stay with it, long shots peppering the City basket, and it was only a matter of time before a big bomb found its mark. 9-7

While not forcing the play as much as at other times in attack, Ceri was vital in defence, in a short preiod, breaking up no less than 4 attacks with reflex interceptions and pacy steps in front of the feed.

With Bristol sensing the clock was against them, some overcommitting in defence was a calculated risk. However, Midge is quick enough to step back inside. With Rob pulling the strings Midge reversed her marker numerous times, and when the switch came, dropped it off to Susan, unfortunately captain marvel just could not get the ball to drop.

With Kristina and Ceri intercepting everything thrown at them, the ball was soon back with Rob, who nearly repeated his first half effort only to see it roll off. Susan also frustrating the crowd with oh so close shooting from range. With simultaneous time outs called on both sides, the game entered its final phase. In the previous game, City's runaway train had nearly derailed itself, however, this time, the ball found itself moved around with control and purpose. Rob receiving deep, Midge and Susan causing the trouble and Dave outjumping his marker on the stick. This simple controlled set up held onto the ball for several pops at the basket, before Midge got a runner to fall. With Bristol not finding their range like they did in the first fixture, it was left to Dave to ice the cake. Another wonderfully controlled attack gave City a chance to set a free-pass from 3 meters, and with Bristol's defence goone awol Dave was left with a simple shot to close the game 11-7.

In a game where Susan, Dave and Ceri all failed to score from free play, and with Harry still absent, lesser teams may well have faltered, but City are made of sterner stuff. Kristina stepped up to the team with a hat-trick and a brace of penalty's won, and Rob revelled in the space to play the kingpin role in attack. Midge also found herself the focal point for a change, and didn't disappoint, claiming a brace and unlucky not to get more. In a new look end, Rachel had her marker well in her pocket, and was enough of an attacking threat to keep her defender away from any switching which allowed Kristina her space. Lee keeping a ever-dangerous Ian Delbridge at arms length.

City rotated their attacking options perfectly yesterday and beat a dangerous team with a really well controlled and structured team game. No top placed team can rely solely on their superstars, and City have shown in their last two games, that they can function perfectly well without theirs.

Thanks once again to Tony for reffing us!

Cardiff City	11	7	Bristol City
Kristina Van Eker	3
Ceri Jones	3
Dave Thomas	2
Kat Crimmins	2
Rob Davies	1