Report by Dave Thomas

On tuesday night Cardiff City travelled across the Severn to take on Bristol outfit BS8.

The small pitch meant the opening was a cagey affair with both sides sizing each other up, trying not to make simple mistakes. However, it was BS8's most experienced player, Steve Conder who opened the scoring, rebounding his own shot for a well converted goal with his defender (ie me) nowhere in sight! This was swiftly countered by Helen's running in shot. The change of ends clearly benefitted Cardiff as Rob's runner gave Cardiff the lead; then, with Rob causing more chaos in the BS8 defence, Sian spun the ball out to Dave who for once made no mistake from near the sidelines for a 3-1 lead. Cardiff held on to their two goal lead at the next end change as Grace's veering shot was countered by BS8 (can't remember what happened for that goal!), and Cally ended the half on a high for Cardiff, sending a shot from the halfway line clean through the basket for a 5-2 half-time lead.

The second half was scoreless for a long time as Cardiff adjusted to the BS8 substitutions, but tough defence denied BS8 many clear shooting chances, and eventually man-of-the-match Rob slotted his second runner past opposition coach Kevin Allen. At 6-2 any thoughts of cruising to victory were swiftly put aside as BS8 upped the intensity. Cardiff's response was some much improved passing and rebounding, particularly from Llew and Helen who were instrumental in creating chances for everyone, Josh being unlucky not to finish a couple of excellent moves. Eventually Llew found Helen open and she netted her second of the day from medium range, and shortly after Grace showed her increasing mastery of the short free pass to bring the score to 8-2. Two consolation goals from BS8 ensured Llew would have another 14 or so goes at breaking his scoring duck, but Cardiff's own master of the rim couldn't nail a longshot if it was sticking out of a piece of wood and someone had just given him a large hammer. His one goal-bound effort was comically thwarted when he kicked the post out from under it.

At the final whistle, an 8-4 victory was an excellent team performance, with 5 players on the scoresheet, and everyone looking like an attacking threat; while the splendid team rebounding effort ensured plenty of chances, and we might have scored more. Sian was the defensive player of the match, shutting out her attacker and doing excellent double duty when Cally was slowed by injury. BS8 were well organised and had some players with more experience than us, but on a small pitch, we cramped them for space and restricted them to a lot of one or no-shot attacks. They took the chances they did carve out very well though, and we look forward to the rematch.

Finally, big thanks to Steve and Kevin for reffing us.

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