Bradford firsts emerged the victors in a closely-fought match
In spite of a stirring fightback from York in the second and third quarters, Bradford’s strong start and finish just managed to give them the edge in what was an incredibly close contest.
With table-leaders Bradford only three points above second-placed York in the BUCS League, both teams came into this match knowing that only a win would do.
York looked good in possession, playing the ball around well, probing for an opening, however, throughout the game Bradford adopted a very aggressive manner of play, closing York down quickly and ruthlessly. In attack they relied primarily on long shots. And in the first quarter, it was ultimately Bradford came out on top, with efficient shooting and successfully assertive defence.
It was a telling statistic that five of York’s nine first-quarter points came from free-throws, the exceptions being a brilliantly effective counter attack following a Bradford basket and a scintillating individual dribble and finish from Federica Barretta.
The first quarter ended with York down nine points to Bradford’s thirteen, and in need of a boost in their play. Things did not look like picking up as Bradford scored almost immediately following the restart with two scores in quick succession, bringing the score to 9 – 17.
Almost inevitably, it was another Bradford foul which gave York their first points of the quarter, with Barretta and Marta Marscionkaite both being awarded free throws. It was after this that the game seemed to turn around; Bradford had been gaining a steady points tally through their effective long shooting, but the second quarter saw the Bradford shot success rate plummet as they peppered the York basket with long shots, but consistently missed the shots from which they were scoring earlier in the match.
York were on the front foot, and even when Bradford finally scored, York were looking much more in the game, though with Bradford’s forceful defence still making life difficult for them, York would have to play a more efficient and direct game if they were to get points on the scoreboard. Almost sensing this, captain Jane Billiet immediately rallied her team as she collected a pass from out wide, and, turning beautifully, set up Marscionkaite to put away a cool finish. And when another free throw, this time from Christin Kirchhuebel, brought the score to 18 – 19 at half-time, it was game on.
However, Bradford again scored from the restart, providing a sobering reminder to York that they were still going to have to fight for this match, but Lydie Mariutto led the fightback consummately, as she made a quality individual run through to the Bradford net and, swiftly making space for herself, got a shot away to score.
York were looking great, with Marriutto and Barretta carving through the Bradford defence with blistering runs up the court and sharp distribution of the ball, whilst Bradford’s great start seemed like a distant memory; and following a top-class shot from Stefania Mataragka, York were in front for the first time at 22 – 21. Bradford’s infringements were now looking more and more desperate and often unnecessary as York pulled away to 25 – 21. However, York’s great spell seemed to drop off after this, as Bradford began to dominate possession and regain the lead at 29 – 25 after a lot of good pressure.
Mariutto, once again grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, and with another dazzling individual effort, left the Bradford defence standing as she tore through their ranks and lifted in a gorgeous finish to put York back in it, and with this followed up by a good basket from Billiet, who, as she did throughout the match, exhibited great movement to create space for herself to receive a pass and shoot, York finished on top at the final break, with the scores locked at 29 – 29.
However, it was Bradford who again came out of the blocks quicker and scored, however York were awarded another free throw and hit back immediately.
Both sides were going all out, with the ball changing ends every few seconds, but Bradford managed to convert more of their chances into points, and with their longs shots finding the net again, bringing the score to 32 – 36. However, York were not going down without a fight, and doggedly fought back to 35 – 36 with some free throws, won courtesy of some excessively forceful Bradford defending. With about a minute left to play, Bradford scored again, to make it 35 – 38, and with York being shut out well by Bradford’s defence, York sensed the match slipping away from them. However, in the dying seconds of the game Mataragka collected the ball by the edge of the Bradford 3-point area a let fly a great looping shot, only for her attempt to hit the inside of the basket and bounce out, to the delight of the Bradford players, who kept possession for the few remaining seconds.
It was a brave performance from an unlucky York side, who can take a lot of heart from the way they played. There was virtually nothing in it throughout, and York captain Jane Billiet commented ‘It could’ve gone either way, with only one basket in it at the end’, adding, ‘the Bradford team played a very dirty game, did you see how many fouls they gave away? I think they had to play dirty to win.’ And with a total of no less that eighteen free throw fouls awarded to York, Billiet seems to have a point.
However, she will no doubt be pleased with the performance of her team on the day, and have high hopes for them in the BUCS Cup.
Vision MOM: Lydie Mariutto