City of Edinburgh Kool Kats Senior Women

Match Reports

Saturday 6th Jan 2007 5pm
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v Midlothian Saints
Portobello

The Kat’s players knew that this would be a tough game after the Christmas break and the previous defeat at Lasswade where Kats did not perform well.

1st quarter
Patty Forfar started the game strong for Kats, scoring 8 of her 11 points of the game. She was assisted by Rowan Bell who was good inside, adding 6 points early on. Heather Holmyard for Midlothian was their biggest threat scoring 5 of the teams 14 points that quarter. The first quarter, after a good team performance, saw Kats up 20-14.

2nd quarter
In this quarter Kats began very well and started stretch the lead with five 3 pointers, three of which from Ramona Brown who scored 11 points in the quarter. Leanne Stupart of Midlothian played well from the guard spot and scored the majority of her teams points that quarter. Kats had performed very well this half, with good play from everyone who had been on. The home team were up 45-27 at half time.

3rd quarter
After the break, Midlothian came into this half with their heads up and played a very solid quarter. They outscored Kats 22-13 with particulary good play from Heather Cosgrove who added another 9 points. Midlothian were playing strong defense and Kat’s were struggling to score. This was Kat’s worst quarter as no one was scoring well, they had lost their large lead and were only up by 9 at the end of this quarter.

4th quarter
Midlothian Saints began the last quarter still in control with Kats unable to stop Heather Cosgrove, who scored 12 points this quarter. Annie Rowan was Kats only scoring threat this quarter who scored 15 of the teams 16 points. It was a tense 10 minutes which saw Kats pegged back to level scores, fortunately a big 3 on the 24 second clock brought the home team into the lead once again. By this time Saints had no option but to foul in the hope of getting possession after Kat’s free throws. This strategy didn’t work as Kat’s scored 6 from 8 free throws and won the game 74-69.

Overall, Kats did well to bring the game back.

Final Score: Kool Kats 74 – 69 Midlothian Saints
Kool Kats Scorers: Annie Rowan 22, Rowan Bell 17, Ramona Brown 13
Midlothian Saints Scorers: Heather Cosgrove 23, Leanne Stupart 19

Saturday 17th November 2006 7.30pm
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v Falkirk Fury
Portobello

Coming back after a defeat against the Midlothian Saints, the team needed a good performance and a win against Falkirk to retain their 1st position in the league.

1st quarter
Following a delay, due to the absence of the second referee, the game was pretty much even for the first 10 minutes. Falkirk started really well, with Buchan scoring 12 of their first 17 points. In spite of an indifferent start, the Kats were up after 10 minutes; 20-17,with Annie Rowan scoring 6 points and Ramona Brown two 3 pointers of her 4 in the game.

2nd quarter
The second quarter saw a hard working Falkirk team determined to make things difficult for the home team. McLaren scored 6 quick points and the lead started to diminish for the Kats. In spite of being a very bad quarter for the host team, a few vital baskets from the captain Emma Findley kept the game close, allowing the visitors to go into half-time with a 4 point lead, 30-34

3rd quarter
The half time was a wake up call for the Kats. They realised that they have to step up in defence and find better solutions in offence. Some good team work in offence and a more aggressive defence reduced Falkirk lead to just 1. Rowan and Patty scored 4 points each to help the team win the 3rd quarter.

4th quarter
In spite of a very good opposition from Falkirk team, the Kats kept their composure and nailed that last 10 minutes. Nice passing, a few fast breaks and four 3-pointers at the right time from Patty Forfar and Ramona Brown saw the home team victorious.

Although it wasn’t a great start, the second half showed a Kool Kats team very composed and willing to do well. Good job girls!

Final Score: Kool Kats 69 - 63 Falkirk Fury
Kool Kats Scorers: Ramona Brown 18; Emma Findley 17; Patty Forfar 13; Annie Rowan 13
Falkirk Fury Scorers: Mairi Buchan 30 points; Jennifer McLaren 14 points

Saturday 4th November 2006 3pm
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v Polonia
Portobello

After an unsettling game away to Polonia where Kats were only 2 up at half time the City of Edinburgh team hoped for a more convincing game this time on their home court at Portobello.

1st quarter
Emma Findlay opened the game scoring the first two points. This was retaliated by strong inside moves from Polonia’s Les Jackson. Kat’s also looked inside to Rowan Bell and played a good quarter out-scoring the away team 19-10.

2nd quarter
This was not such a good quarter from a defensive perspective with Cathy Mitchell scoring 9 consequtive points, and 13 of Polonia’s 17 points in that quarter. Most of Kat’s points came from 3 pointers, two from Holly Fillingham backed up by another from Ramona Brown. The home side was up by 5 at half time, the score being 32-27.

3rd quarter
Kats started off well with especially good play from Donna Bald who contributed a quick 7 points including a big 3. This was a good offensive quarter where the players managed to stretch to a 14 point lead.

4th quarter
Emma stepped up again at the beginning of the 4th quarter managing to break Polonia’s defence to score many jumpers on the break. Kats played much better defence limiting Polonia to only 9 points and finished with a comfortable win of 71-52.

Final Score: Kool Kats 71 - 52 Polonia
Kool Kats Scorers: E. Findlay 19, R. Bell 16, H. Fillingham 14
Polonia Scorers: Cathy Mitchell 20

Saturday 14th October 2006 5.30pm
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v Falkirk Fury
Mariner Centre

With the memory of the previous weekend’s victory over rivals St Mirren, by just 1 point, Kool Kats had only to play Falkirk Fury to complete their unbeaten streak.

1st quarter
Donna Bald kicked the game off with 2 points, followed by Patty Forfar scoring vital free throws. But Kats didn’t seem to be at their usual standard and the home team Falkirk Fury were on the ball, with Captain Jennifer McLaren scoring 6 points. End of the first 15-13 in favour of the away team, Kool Kats

2nd quarter
With some skilful passes and shots, Falkirk Fury seemed determined to stop Kats and when Jennifer McLaren scored a 3 pointer, Kats realised they had a lot more to give. Some good teamwork coupled with excellent performances from Annie Rowan and Emma Findlay (scoring her first 3 pointer of the game), Kats had the advantage at half time but only just: 30-22. The main focus was on rebounding in the half time team talk, there was a reminder too that the team often come out top in close games. With that in mind Kats seemed determined to sustain their successful season so far.

3rd quarter
Fury were out to stop Kats however and they pretty much did just that with good play and crucial points from Ciara Barnes, whilst the away team couldn’t seem to retaliate, ending the quarter just 44-43 ahead, and keeping everyone guessing

4th quarter
Fury scored well in the close last quarter, but Captain Emma Findlay took control of the Kats offence, pulling an unsportsmanlike foul from Jennifer McLaren which sent Emma to the line to score both shots. With only minutes on the clock Kats simply had to stay calm, allowing them to come out top.

This means that Kool Kats have beaten every other team in this close league. Even with such a young team they work effectively together even if individual performances aren’t always at their best

Final Score: Kool Kats 62 - 57 Falkirk Fury

Kool Kats Scorers: Emma Findlay 25 Patty Forfar 13 Annie Rowan 12
Falkirk Fury Scorers: Mairi Buchan 16 Ciara Barnes 15 Jennifer McLaren 11

Saturday 7th October 2006 3.00 pm
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v St Mirren
Portobello High School

The senior women went into this game on the back of a good result against Midlothian Saints and were determined to keep the good run of performances going. In a replay of last year’s cup final, the atmosphere was pulsating as the game tipped off. The noticeable change to the St Mirren team was the loss of Ramona Brown who has settled in well at Kats, her cheerful personality making her an instant hit at training. With Kats a much younger side than in the last outing between the teams, experience was very much in St Mirren’s favour.

1st quarter
A poor start to the game saw Kats trailing throughout the first quarter due to too many turnovers in the backcourt. However, the frontcourt offence was fluent and some good passing kept the scores tight. St Mirren led 28-22 at the end of the quarter with Rowan Bell imposing herself inside for the home side with 10 points in the opening period. Ramona came off the bench to score two 3-pointers to help the team settle.

2nd quarter
The second quarter again saw Rowan dominate the key, adding to her points tally to go in at the half with 15. Captain Emma Findlay pitched in with 2 3-pointers in the first half, and some good shooting was pulling the St Mirren defence away from the basket leaving more room inside. St Mirren’s danger players of Natalie Chaloner - 11 points at the half and Rhona Corkindale - 12 points, were helping St Mirren keep their lead as they went into halftime 46-41 in front.

3rd quarter
The Kats defence picked up in the third, containing St Mirren to just 15 points and frustrating St Mirren’s offence. While some nice passing and good team plays allowed Kats to pull in front. Lots of fast breaking and high speed plays were showing how training was really paying off as they went in 64 - 61 in the lead for the first time. Patty Forfar led the way with 10 points in the third, many coming from lay-ups on the end of nice fast break passes.

4th quarter
In the last quarter the foul count was growing free throws were going to become a major factor for the second game running. When Natalie Chaloner fouled out in the last minute of the game, sending ex-St Mirren player Ramona Brown to the line with 4.6 seconds remaining and Kats trailing by 1 point, it was set up for a fairytale ending. Ramona stepped to the line and scored the first, a mix up with the table saw St Mirren granted a time out in between the free throws, and as the officials sorted out the situation the tension was rising. As the players retook the court for the second free throw with the game level and only seconds on the court the pressure was felt by all. But Ramona kept her nerve and calmly swished the second to hand Kats the lead. A superb performance from all of the Kats players and a great vocal support from the bench and the supporters ensured that Kats stay undefeated.

Final score: Kool Kats 84 - 83 St Mirren

Kool Kats Scorers: Rowan Bell 27 Emma Findlay 19 Patty Forfar 12 Ramona Brown 10

St Mirren Scorers: Rhona Corkindale 26 Natalie Chaloner 20 Nadele Strain 16

Saturday 30th September 2006 5.00 pm
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v Midlothian Saints
Portobello High School

After last weekend’s win over Polonia, the team was in good spirits going into the second game of the season against Midlothian Saints. The last time the two teams met was in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup last season, in which Kats out-performed the Midlothian side gaining a place in the final. This giving the Kats team a feeling of confidence along with the fact that they were undefeated at their home venue last season.

1st quarter
After a new team warm-up, it was unsure how many players in the team would perform due to differences in some individuals’ routines. However the team started the game off well, playing good defence, keeping the opponents to only 8 points in the first quarter Kats taking an early lead in the game with 12 points in a surprisingly low scoring opening quarter.

2nd quarter
The second quarter saw the Kats team losing their lead, letting the Midlothian side catch up with the score. Unfortunately with Rowan Bell picking up her third foul, Ben made the decision to pull her out of the game to save her for later when crucially her experience may be needed. The first half ending level at 26 - 26.

3rd quarter
Some great shooting in this quarter allowed the Kats to take the lead they needed to gain an advantage in the second half. 3-pointers seemed to be the most successful option as Annie Rowan and Emma Findlay showed. Emma totaling a massive six out of the eleven 3 pointers scored in the game. This also being a good defensive quarter as Midlothian were kept to scoring just 13 points, leaving the score going into the final quarter at 45 - 40 in favour of the home team.

4th quarter
An exciting final period to the game raised the noise of the crowd and the intensity of the game grew. The away side got into a bit of foul trouble midway through the quarter sending Kats players to the free throw line, increasingly in the last minutes. At this crucial stage in the game, these free throws are vital. However, with many being missed it placed a bit of pressure on the home side. Although the last seven points of the game were down to free throws and Kats secured their second win of the season.

Final score: Kool Kats 58 - 52 Midlothian

Kool Kats Scorers
Emma Findlay 18
Annie Rowan 13
Rowan Bell 10
Ramona Brown 10

Midlothian Scorers
Pam Donoghue 13
Heather Holmyard 11
Leanne Stupart 10

Saturday 23rd September 2006 12.45 pm
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v Polonia
WHEC

After a string of pre season friendlies, the senior women got down to business with their first competitive game of the season. The team had gone through some major changes over the close season, losing four senior Scottish internationalists for one reason or another. So with a ‘new look’ and an even younger squad than last season, the team travelled to WHEC to meet a Polonia side who had also faced major change, and included some ex Kool Kats stalwarts.

1st quarter
The team started well, with some good movement and passing. Rowan and Patti faced a difficult afternoon in defence, matched up with the experienced Polonia pair of Lesley Jackson and Julie Ritchie, with their team looking to go inside. However, Patti, Emma, Annie and Holly all found room to hit a 3-pointer and we ended the quarter up 18-11.

2nd quarter
The second quarter also started well, but with Rowan picking up a couple of fouls, and the team missing with some good looks, the Polonia girls had their tails up and had a good spell towards the end of the quarter and won it 15-10.

3rd quarter
Some excellent defence kept the opponents to 5 points in this quarter, and also helped to set up some good fast break opportunities in the Kats 20 point spell, giving a 3rd quarter lead of 48-31.

4th quarter
Another good spell from the team allowed us to introduce Rebecca, one of the hard working cadette players (she hit 4 points in a short spell), and our new player Ramona Brown. Ramona will give us a lot of experience and runs the floor well, but had to sit and watch most of this game as she was back home in Romania the previous 3 weeks at her best friend’s wedding and needs to get up to speed with the technical part of the team’s play.

Final score: Kool Kats 75 - 42 Polonia

Kool Kats Scorers
Emma Findlay 22
Patti Forfar 14
Rowan Bell 10
Holly Fillingham 10

Polonia Scorers
Les Jackson 14
Julie Ritchie 12