The
Durham Attack U16 Black team are Provincial Champions. Traveling
to Cambridge this weekend, the team was hopeful that they could
de-throne the number one ranked, Scarborough Vipers and win the
coveted title. Earlier this month, the girls had won a Bronze
medal at the U17 Provincial Championships, defeating the same
Scarborough Vipers. As the team traveled down the 401, the hopes
of Gold were in their eyes and victory seemed a distinct possibility.
Pool play began on Saturday and the girls were victorious beating the
Niagara rapids ( 25-13, 25-19) , the Stratford Stingers ( 25-11,
25-21), and the South County Bandits ( 25-20, 25-13). Finishing
number one in their pool, the Durham Attack girls faced off against
the Etobicoke Titans in the pre-quarters and won both games, 25-21 and
25-19. As the day ended, the girls headed off to bed ready for
the next day and the playoff round.
Facing the Aurora Storm in the quarter finals, the girls quickly
employed all of their offensive weapons and a victory soon ensued.
The first game was won handily by a score of 25-15. The second
game proved a tougher battle as the Storm fought hard and forced the
Durham Attack girls to pass better, hit harder and dig deeper if a
semi-final was going to be in their future. The might of the
Durham 16's proved too much and Aurora was defeated 25-23.
The semi-finals were upon us and the opponents, none other than our
Durham neighbours, the Durham Rebels. This match lived up to its
billing and saw not only the physical prowess of the Durham Attack
girls, but also the mental fortitude as the match went three games
before a victor was determined. Durham Attack jumped out of the
gate quickly and won the first game 25-14. However the Rebels
would not give in so easily and fought back to win the second game
25-20. The stage was set for a third and final game, with the
hope of a Gold medal on the line. The final game lived up to its
billing as the scores see-sawed back and forth before the Durham
Attack girls won 20-18. What a match!
On to the finals and the Scarborough Vipers. The fear that the
match against the Rebels had sapped the strength of the Durham Attack
Girls was quickly put to rest as both teams jumped out of the starting
gate quickly, demonstrating their quick attacks and powerful play.
At 24-20, it seemed that the Vipers may have won the first game, when
the Durham girls roared back with six straight points for a victory
and the first game in the series.
As the
second game unfolded, the Durham girls picked up where they had left
the first match and began powering their way to a victory, a Gold
medal and the Provincial Championship winning the second set, 25-20.
As the last point was scored, and victory was theirs, the hard work
and determination had paid off and the Durham Attack 16U Black team
had won the 2005-2006 OVA Provincial Championship.
Congratulations to the players on this team. They have made
their coaches, parents and the club proud of their tenacity, grit and
teamwork. As they enjoy their success, their thoughts turn now
to victory in Moncton and Calgary in May, and we wish them the best of
luck in their ventures.
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