Premier Division 2B

KS Cougars 2,

Firebrands seconds 1

Another fine Satur­day morning saw the Cougars lining up in new playing shirts thanks to sponsor Sabre Insurance Services, with team hoodies courtesy of sponsor DWC Services ready for pre and post match.

Opponents Fire­brands had travelled down from Bristol and looked none the worse for wear, starting quickly.

Taking the early press, Gemma Harvey organised the defence and Rachel Roberts made several fantastic picks around the 25 to halt Firebrands attacks as KS eased their way into the game.

Bex Darke rolled into left half to support the workrate KS were de­livering as Fern Tucker worked hard at right wing.

Firebrands were first to break the deadlockas they took the lead with 10 minutes gone.

Undeterred, KS kept their heads up. Lou and Emily Read held strong in the centre and distributed well, allowing KS to move the ball more freely to the wings.

As the Cougars started to create more width they found the equaliser when Laura Kerly rifled a cross into a busy D where Nat El­liott calmly slotted home.

With momentum swinging back towards KS, captain Chloe Harvey picked up a rebound and drove towards the Firebrands D on a winding run that ended with an unstoppable shot high into the roof of the net to put the Cougars in front.

Coming into half time with a slim lead the Cougars focused on protecting their advantage and did so.

The second half op­ened with both teams upping the tempo.

With 20 minutes remaining Firebrands threw everything at KS.

Helen Symons and captain Harvey worked tirelessly as they looked to push any ball from defence as high as they could, with Laura Kerly driving high and back to keep Firebrands on their toes.

Bex Darke fired it up as she rolled through the midfield, crunching in to every tackle as the Cougars looked to hold back the tide of attacking play and eventually earning a green card for her battling efforts.

Gemma Harvey rallied the KS defence with great calling as ‘keeper Claire Jones shone again. Bell and Elliott popped up all over the formation during the closing spell as KS rolled the changes to keep their opposition at bay.

With the whole team committed to defending their one-goal advantage it was a team effort to drive back the Firebrands press until the final whistle blew on a really well contested game.

At post match teas captain Chloe Harvey took a landslide woman of the match vote on her birthday weekend.

With two games under their belts at Premiership level KS are tied at the top on points and sit in third place on goal difference, with a tough test next weekend playing at KCC against Somer­set Gryphons, who sit top.

The Cougars would like to say thank you to new sponsors Sabre Insurance Services and DWC for their new kit and also a huge shout for everyone cheering from the sidelines who became the Cougars 12th woman – your support is amazing!