DUNDEE DRAGONS v WOMENS WARRIORS

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL SCOTTISH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

DUNDEE AND ANGUS COLLEGE GARDYNE CAMPUS

SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2018 1PM TIP

Match Report by Kevin Rattray, DDWSC Vice-Chairman

Dragons first home match of the 2017/18 season of the Scottish Development League followed on quickly from our successful visit to Aberdeen the week before.

The squad was changed for this match with Ben Leitch off to a GB Under 23 Training Camp, I think we can forgive him for that, and the loss of Mairi, off with Lewis and Kacey for a half term holiday.

The squad assembled for the match with the exciting addition of Murran MacKay due to make her senior debut, who may have been a little excited by the prospect.

Dragons ran straight from their club session of Tennis, Badminton and Basketball, with many of the players taking in or helping out with every activity before Gemma settled everyone and got their game faces on.

What followed was Gemma’s comprehensive warm up which is now becoming something of legend.

The match started right on time with Tina Gordon, in glorious orange, ably supported by table officials Sally Lumsdaine and Ryan Mellon.

Dragons starting five consisted of Gemma Lumsdaine as guard working with Michael Mellon, Rhys Colliar working with Blair Marshall and David Birtles at point and reserves of Ronny Robb and the debutant Murran MacKay raring to go.

Warriors were first to show and upset any rhythm the Dragons were trying to establish, taking an early lead and holding that lead for most of the first quarter.

Dragons timeouts were called quickly and the tension was palpable as Gemma tried to calm everyone down as she switched with Rhys to work with Blair.

Dragons then started to find their shape and shooting skills with Michael and David to the fore and Ronny introduced for Blair during the second quarter, although the occasional descent into under 10’s football was clear to see as the ball was chased around the hall with large groups of people in pursuit.

The first half came to an end quickly, well after 20 minutes so probably just the normal time, but always seems quick to me.

Dragons were now in control of the scoring, Michael and David to be exact, and defensively they had found the form which had eluded them early in the match.

Half time score Dragons 24 Womens Warriors 6

The second half saw the reintroduction of Blair into the action, he was never going to be kept out for long, and the debut of Murran, with Gemma now taking up the sideline coaching position.

Dragons continued to push forward with Michael, Ronny and David sharing the scoring and then Blair chipping in with 2 excellent baskets which generated the biggest smile of the day as Ronny declared Blair’s back.

The scorers always get the plaudits when it comes to scoring but great credit is due to the hard working guards who get the shooters into the positions to make the shots.

Rhys Colliar followed up his destructive and constructive display against Flyers with another storming performance assisting Michael to be top scorer for the day.

What can I say about Gemma Lumsdaine that hasn’t been said before as she works positions for her shooting players, shuts down dangerous players and pretty much gets the tactics right every time.

The revelation was Murran MacKay, I’m not sure how she’ll cope was one comment early on, any concerns were quickly dispelled as she took to senior basketball like she’d been playing it for years.

One curl was such a thing of beauty, that Michael could have been in an armchair, a very tall one to be honest, for his shot, and at the end of the third quarter she came racing over and declared you’re not taking me off, I wouldn’t have dared.

After Gemma’s assertiveness last week and now Murran I can confirm that Dragons women really don’t take any nonsense! (Wasn’t my first choice of word)

The match finished with Michael shouting for Ronny to go for a 3 pointer, yeah that wasn’t going to happen, but Dragons came out victorious with a final score of

Dundee Dragons 40 Women’s Warriors 6

Thanks due at the end of the day for Tina Gordon who’s refereeing brings such a great touch to every match, and to Sally Lumsdaine and Ryan Mellon for timekeeping, scoring etc.

We concluded with food, drinks and general banter and of course Kirsteen Burns surprise Birthday cake and flowers, happy birthday Kirsteen.

Next match is away to Lothian Phoenix on Sunday 5 March, be great to have as good a support as we saw yesterday, may have resulted in some early nervousness but is really appreciated by all of the players.