Gushing by Ceri

The day started in Cardiff, where the weather could be best described as appalling. Having battled to get up and into the rain, we all headed to Oxford feeling more and more depressed as the rain got heavier and heavier. The thought of being able to capture the tour crown kept us motivated, with the sole objective of the day being to finish above Woking and Abingdon.

On arriving in the school, the rain got even worse, but we were told that they would play the first few games anyway to see if conditions were safe. So guess who was first up? That's right Cardiff City. Hurrah!!

Following from our victory at the last tour meeting, we were seeded first and so were placed in a group with fourth seeds Oxford City as well as Exeter and Didcot.

Exeter were our first opponents, and things weren't looking good as the rain continued to poor down and our two star girls - Susan and Elaine (playing in waterproofs) were both looking close to tears. As we were a girl short, we borrowed an Exeter sub and proceeded to thank them by thoroughly outplaying them. Even though tons of water must by this point have landed on the pitches, the ground was still OK, a point proved as several Cardiff players were able to outfox their opponents a with quick changes of direction and nicely taken running in shots. Kay stepped up her level of play(with plenty of shouted encouragement from Ceri) and scored a lovely goal having managed to skilfully ditch her marker. Jack also contributed a runner past Tony who then got his revenge by gaining a penalty back. Susan scored a nice shot before adding a running in shot, to add to two runners from Ceri, one from a beautiful over pass from Taff. Exeter had battled bravely, but were unable to keep up with our scoring. Nine goals wasn't bad at all and reflected a good team performance with everyone looking as though they could score.

Cardiff 9    Ceri (2), Susan (2), Josh (2), Jack, Kay, Elaine
   Exeter 3

As the rain eased off, and the sky became much lighter, we took to the pitch for our second game, only for it to start totally pissing it down again! I'd have to say that this is one of the strangest games that I've ever been involved in, with Cardiff racing into a 2-0 lead thanks to two goals, both lovely shots from Rowan (ringer from Abingdon). Ceri and Susan then added a further two quick goals and it looked like another drubbing was in order as Didcot struggled to keep pace. Then the game changed completely as Didcot dominated possession by playing keep ball for the remaining 15 minutes. This included and incredible period of five or so minutes without a single shot!

Cardiff 4     Ceri, Susan, guest (Rowan, Abingdon) (2)
   Didcot 0

Our final group game was against Oxford City and would decide our opposition in the semi-final. The game was a very tight and tense affair, with Oxford getting the lead before a monster shot from Taff brought us level. Oxford then regained the lead before Jack equalised. The game was becoming increasingly heated with a lot of pressure being put on the inexperienced referee, and game began to slip away as passes began to find the opposition. Susan somehow managed to put us into the lead before Oxford put another couple past a now tiring defence to clinch the game.

This was a game that we certainly could have won, indeed frustration levels rose through the match in part due to our missing easy chances. With better composure and a bit of luck, this game would have been ours.

Cardiff 3     Susan, Taff, Jack
   Oxford 4

Lunchtime Penalty Competition

Our loss to Oxford City meant that we now faced Woking in the Semi-final that was also the game that because Abingdon had failed to make the semis, would decide the destination of the OKL Tour Title.

With ex-cardiff Uni stars Joy Andrews and Clive Minshull taking to the pitch, we knew it would be important to get off to a quick start. However it was Woking that took the initiative with goals being rained in from all over the court. After a few minutes, Cardiff were well down. The game slowed down then with Woking in control and trying to strangle Cardiff out of the game. Clive was mopping up the ball at one end and the Woking attack were retaining the ball well. With both Susan and Kay picking up injuries, it was looking like an uphill struggle. Woking then went a further couple of goals ahead with replies coming from Susan and Josh. With a couple of minutes left then and Cardiff were staring at a 5-2 loss. Time for overdrive mode as Taff and Josh scored in reply to another from Woking. Ceri scored a running in shot, before repeatedly bouncing the ball off the inside rim of the basket. With Cardiff unable to find the equaliser, the victory went to Woking.

This was by far the best game of the day for us, and though we lost, by the end of the game Woking were clinging on and we were unlucky not to get an equaliser and force it into penalties.

Cardiff 5     Josh (2), Ceri, Taff, Susan
   Woking 6

The last game of the day saw us take on a Bristol City side that had been defeated in their semi by Oxford City. Cardiff scored two very quick goals through Ceri and Elaine, but were then frustrated, as both baskets seemed to have been cling-filmed. Shots at both end that looked like going in somehow failed to, ending with a rather stagnant game as all the players were also getting tired. At least we won though!

Cardiff 2     Ceri, Elaine
   Bristol City 0

Cardiff 1 - 3rd of 8

No pictures again - firstly we were all on the pitch and secondly it pi$$ed it down all day!

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