After a series of disappointing defeats, Southend Swifts' senior women's team finally found some reward for their consistent hard work throughout the season, with a convincing 78-56 victory at Cardiff Clippers.

Injuries and work commitments had again hit Swifts hard before the match and their squad of eight included 14-year-old Jane Barclay and Emma Hart, 13.

Play was fairly scrappy early on as neither side could find any rhythm, with the scores tied at 9-9 after seven minutes of action.

But Southend captain Jo Andrews had already hit two three-point shots in that total and when the diminutive playmaker hit her third with the final shot of the quarter the home side held a slender 15-14 advantage.

Over the first six minutes of the second quarter, however, Swifts offence could make no headway as the Welsh team made a 10-2 run that could have settled the match.

But six straight for Southend - Kelly Matthews contributing four - settled their nerves before Clippers scored the next three points to lead 28-22.

The following two and a half minutes would see a crucial turning point in the match as Southend made a 13-0 stretch that gave them a seven point lead.

A 7-2 run took the score out to 47-38 and, although Cardiff had their best spell of the second half, they could never get closer than six.

Published Thursday March 4, 2004

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