Our Senior Women’s First Team’s Division 2 North season opener ended in defeat on Saturday afternoon at the hands of an inspired Derbyshire Diamonds outfit at Nechells Wellbeing Centre.
The Rockets struggled to contain Derbyshire in the paint throughout the game, whilst a stuttering offensive performance condemned Coach Peter Mintoft’s side to defeat.
Michelle Turner was a bright spark for the Rockets throughout, and got the Rockets started on the right footing in the opening moments with an early three before our visitors began to impose themselves on proceedings.
Charlotte Levikt provided a consistent rebounding presence for Derbyshire as they began to establish an advantage by the end of the first quarter.
Turner spearheaded much of the Rockets’ offensive threat throughout, converting a pair of free throws and another three early in the second to keep the Rockets in contention.
She would go on to put a Derbyshire defender on the floor and put away the resulting three to the delight of the home crowd.
Our visitor’s domination inside the paint came to the fore in the third as, following a slow offensive start to the quarter, Derbyshire ramped up the pressure on the Rockets rear-guard to open up a 20-point advantage.
The final quarter was a more even affair, with the Rockets managing to keep pace with a less proficient Diamonds offense.
Coach Mintoft’s side will be looking to bounce back as they travel to Tees Valley Mohawks next Sunday.