Cardiff Met Archers 59-66 Plymouth Marjon Patriots
Saturday 4th November 2023 WNBL Division 2 Women
The Plymouth Marjon Patriots Women moved to 3-0 in the Women’s National Basketball League after a close victory against Cardiff Met Archers.
Travelling to Wales with a shorthanded squad due to injuries, the Patriots faced early adversity and trailed by as many as 9 points in the 1st quarter. A late resurgence not only got the visitors level, but 13 points personal from Sophie Carr meant they went ahead 15-24 at the quarter’s end.
With Archers sat in a 2-3 zone for the entirety of the first half, captain Annette Cook and Alicia Parsons showed great on-court chemistry and produced numerous spectacular plays, handing the Patriots a 13 point lead at the halftime break.
Carr and Cook continued to show their experience and forced the hosts into switching their defensive tactics in the 3rd quarter. This played perfectly into the Patriots’ hands and a 3-pointer from Beth Peace ended the period with the Patriots in front 39-55.
A strong 4th quarter showing from Cardiff got them back into the game but key free throws from Jodie Abbott sealed the Patriots’ 3rd consecutive league win. 25 points from Sophie Carr meant she finished the game as top scorer, with Cook adding 20 and Abbott adding 9.
Head Coach Will Hopper said: “I’m super proud of how we played today. It was our first real taste of adversity going into the game with a smaller squad, but we showed great character to tough out the win.
We’re off to a great start but we aren’t getting ahead of ourselves, there are no easy games in this division.”