Last updated at 16:07, Thursday, 08 November 2012

SMILES BETTER: Barrow Thorns girls who helped the under-16s to a double success (from left): Milly Knowles, Emily Duerden, Ella Brocklebank and Emily Cox Milton Haworth REF: 50038797B005

Hatfield Fliers U16s 34 Barrow Thorns U16s 39

THORNS came through a lethargic display to take the points from their longest trip of the season to Hatfield Fliers in South Yorkshire.

Whether it was just a bad day at the office, or the effects of the long journey, Barrow were not at the top of their game.

But fortunately neither were the hosts, which made the first quarter a tiresome affair, baskets coming in trickles as Thorns led 9-8 at its conclusion thanks to baskets from Ella Brocklebank, Charlotte Penellum and Emily Cox.

The second period was no better, as neither team looked like they wanted to play.

Poor finishing and an unwillingness to run on fast breaks cost Barrow points, but they managed to finish the first half leading 16-13 in a low-scoring affair. Hatfield came out the stronger in the second half, but again the game drifted from end to end and for six minutes neither team scored a single point.

By the end of the third quarter, Hatfield led by one point.

In the final quarter, the lights came on for Barrow as they stared defeat in the face.

It was youngster Emily Duerden who stepped up the most. Excellent smothering defence and a willingness to attack the Fliers’ basket on the break earned her six valuable points in quick succession.

She inspired her team-mates to push to the finish line and it was Duerden’s final basket in regular time that levelled the game with seconds left. The buzzer sounded and for the first time this season the game went to overtime.

Thorns maintained the momentum of the fourth quarter and edged the extra-time with a 6-1 scoring burst.

Points: Ella Brocklebank 11, Charlotte Penellum 10, Emily Duerden 10, Emily Cox 6, Abbie Gower 2.

Player-of-the-Match: Emily Duerden.

Barrow Thorns U16s 103 Bury Blue Devils 27

THORNS expelled their demons and bounced back to form with a home court thrashing of Bury.

The problems that afflicted them on their trip to Hatfield were left behind in South Yorkshire as they defended well, attacked hard and ran fast breaks for fun.

A rampant Barrow side ripped through Bury’s defence and Charlotte Penellum took advantage of her team’s great approach play to rack up 21 points in the first quarter, to effectively finish the game as a contest with a 35-3 quarter score.

From such a commanding position, Barrow took the opportunity to use all their players early in the game.

Catriona MacTaggart and Abbie Gower played with confidence and found their way on to the scoresheet with some well-taken chances.

The second period was another scoring feast for the home side, with Emily Duerden, Emily Cox and Ella Brocklebank bagging most of the points as they ended the half 61-11 up.

Georgia Moore, Milly Knowles and MacTaggart netted more points, while new recruit Mel Rogerson, playing in her first competitive game, used her height advantage to great effect, controlling several defensive rebounds and bagging herself a basket at the offensive end in a good start in her Thorns career.

The game was played out using good bench rotation from Barrow, ensuring every player did their bit for the team as they ran out comfortable winners to sit fourth in the North Conference.

Points: Charlotte Penellum 33, Ella Brocklebank 22, Emily Cox 14, Cat MacTaggart 8, Emily Duerden 8, Abbie Gower 6 Milly Knowles 6, Georgia Moore 4, Mel Rogerson 2.

Player-of-the-Match: Charlotte Penellum.

Special Mention: Cat MacTaggart.

First published at 16:05, Thursday, 08 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk