Harrogate Phoenix 44 - 35 Sheffield OpenYorkshire and Humberside Regional League

Harrogate Phoenix overcame Sheffield Open 44-35 to secure third place in the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional League.

The opening exchanges indicated the game would be a closely contested affair, with both sides converting their opportunities well. The first quarter ended 11-10 in Phoenix’s favour.

The second began brightly for Phoenix with the defensive trio of Lynn McAra (WD), Lizzie Hughes (GD) and Vicky Heap (GK) pressuring Open into making a number of handling errors. This created a platform for the attack, with Steph Davies (GA) and Danielle Collings (GS) scoring a number of fine long-range shots.

By half-time, Phoenix had extended their lead to five. The third quarter saw Phoenix stamp their authority on the game. The introduction of Emma Hayter (WD), alongside Zoe Hannah (C) and Emma McAra (WA) contributed to Phoenix dominating centre-court, which limited the opportunities for Open.
At the end of the third, Phoenix led 34-21.

Open rallied during the fourth quarter after a change of personnel, but despite winning the quarter 14-10, Phoenix’s dominance of the middle part of the game could not be undone, with the match ending 44-35. Phoenix are in Regional action again next week and face Leeds Carnegie.