Dragons edge Panthers for first win of the season
Cardiff Dragons claimed their first win of the Netball Super League season as they beat Birmingham Panthers on Friday.
Having started the campaign with seven straight losses, the Dragons overcame a narrow half-time deficit to secure a 61-57 victory at the Skydome Arena.
The Panthers led 34-32 at midway point and were still a point up at the end of the third quarter.
It was level at 57-57 with five minutes remaining but the Dragons edged ahead through goal attack Phillipa Yarranton and she added a super shot to extend the lead.
Goal shooter Georgia Rowe, who top-scored for the Dragons with 39 goals, wrapped up the win for the Super League's last-place side.
The Panthers had a marginally better shooting success rate, 86% to the Dragons' 85%, with Sigi Burger scoring 46 goals, but were outshot 67 to 55 by the visitors.
Dragons are now just four points behind Panthers in seventh.
Friday, 9 May
Birmingham Panthers 57-61 Cardiff Dragons
Saturday, 10 May
Loughborough Lightning v Leeds Rhinos (18:00, BBC Red Button and iPlayer)
Sunday, 11 May
Nottingham Forest v Manchester Thunder (16:00)
London Mavericks v London Pulse (16:00)
All times BST.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Made in Reading, toasted in Wales: Hal Robson-Kanu and the goal that shocked Belgium's ‘Golden Generation'
Wales and Belgium face each other on Monday night in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Wales have started their campaign well, while the Red Devils had a stuttering start against North Macedonia. In the last four meetings between the sides, Wales have yet to beat Belgium. The Red Devils have won two of the previous four games, both at home. However, the fifth game is arguably the most famous between the sides. On Friday, July the 1st 2016, the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille witnessed one of the biggest shocks in recent Euro's history. Belgium's so called Golden Generation were humbled by Chris Coleman's Wales. The hero of that night was Reading FC winger Hal Robson-Kanu. In his final season for Reading, the forward had scored five goals and provided seven assists in 35 games. His contract was up, and in many ways the tournament came at the perfect time. The goal he scored certainly raised his profile within Europe. I can still remember where I was when he turned into Johan Cruyff. Sat in a bar in Poznan, Poland, I was sure that Belgium would see off this plucky Welsh side. When Radja Nainggolan scored early on, it felt like the Red Devils would cruise to victory. Advertisement However, with around 15 minutes to go to half-time, Coleman's side hit back. Ashley Williams grabbed an equaliser and the sides went into the break all square. 10 minutes after the break, the goal that defined the game was scored. During his time at Reading, Robson-Kanu had always been a player that relied on his technical ability rather than any blistering pace. That technical ability was on full display. Wales hit Belgium on the counter attack, with an inch perfect pass from Joe Allen finding Aaron Ramsey's forward run. His ball in was controlled by Robson-Kanu with his back to goal. Three defenders were surrounding the Reading man, but rather than lay it back his audacious turn in the box fooled everyone as he fired past Thibaut Courtois. It was rightly nominated for the Puskas award for the year 2016, yet was beaten to that title by Malaysian footballer Mohd Faiz Subri for a goal against Pahang during the Malaysian Super League season. Robson-Kanu would only score five goals for the Welsh national team, yet it is unlikely that anyone can remember any of the other four. Robson-Kanu was substituted in the 80th minute, with his replacement Sam Vokes completing the shock and sending the much fancied Belgian side home. It is certainly a sliding doors moment for that Belgian side. Wales went on to lose out to eventual winners Portugal in the semi-finals, who beat hosts France in the final. Could Belgium have won that tournament? They certainly had the talent, but that night it just wasn't meant to be for the Red Devils. Memories of that night will certainly be recalled ahead of the clash between the two sides on Monday. Even in Belgium, that game is remembered but rather not talked about. When Coleman joined OH Leuven he was asked about that game, such is its position in the minds of the Belgian football fan. Advertisement For Robson-Kanu, one could argue that his career peaked in that very moment. He went on to join West Brom and play Premier League football, but never enjoyed a moment as defining as that goal in Lille. Yet, how many of us would dream of achieving what Robson-Kanu did that evening. Many a player would trade in scoring for their clubs to be remembered for one moment of brilliance on the international stage. It is not an exaggeration to say that the goal Robson-Kanu scored that night as immortalised him in footballing history. Wales have not had the same success either since 2016. Yet, a win on Monday against Belgium would stand them in good stead to qualify for back to back World Cups. For Belgium, they need to win to ensure they don't put themselves under early pressure in the qualification campaign. GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hockey player 'in limbo' after head struck by ball
"I understand there is an element of risk in hockey, but surely a brain injury must trigger some help?" Claerwen Render, 42, loved sports but her life changed when she was hit on the forehead by a hockey ball five years ago. Advertisement The mother-of-three has suffered daily migraines and fatigue since and has seen her income halve after giving up her role as a member of a secondary school's senior leadership team. But after being refused an insurance payout through her sport's governing body, she has been left questioning if affiliation payments are worth it. Hoci Cymru said it had developed their approach to head injuries but that more needed to happen to explain the limitations of insurance cover. Mrs Render was playing for Clwb Hoci Rhuthun in Denbighshire in November 2019 when she was caught on the temple by a ball struck by an opposing player. Advertisement Bleeding badly, she was taken by ambulance to the nearest A&E department. Over the next few months she tried to return to the classroom as a maths teacher, but struggled to cope. "I'm not getting half my old life back. I'm just in limbo, in pain," said Mrs Render. "I can't do anything. It really affects my sleep. I've taken time off work but no amount of rest gets rid of my symptoms. It's debilitating. "I can't do normal things like before. I can't enjoy going to the kids' activities. If I stay I suffer, or I'll go to work in more pain and I have to go to bed." Advertisement Nine months after the incident, Mrs Render, from Denbigh, made an insurance claim through her Hoci Cymru membership but said her application did not trigger any benefits. She now works four mornings a week having been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. "Why have I paid 15 years of affiliation and insurance? It was for something like this," said Mrs Render. "I understand there is an element of risk, but surely a brain injury must trigger something? Are we just paying into a bottomless pit? "I'm just disappointed that I'm not compensated for loss of earnings, the future of my kids, everything." Advertisement One sports lawyer said few players were fully aware of the level of cover they have for head injuries. "No-one signs up to play these sports to get permanent and progressive brain damage and a very high number of sports men and women, we believe, have that," said Richard Boardman, from law firm Rylands Garth. Claerwen Render had to give up her role on her secondary school's senior leadership team after being injured [BBC] "It is critical that all grassroots players know about the risks involved in collision sports, and whether they are covered for brain injuries," Mr Boardman added. Colin Morris from brain injury charity Headway, stressed the health and social benefits of sports, including brain health, but also said players needed to be aware of how insurance cover works. Advertisement "It is something that governing bodies and insurers need to be transparent with and really convey to people what circumstances they wouldn't be covered. "So people can take out further insurance if they need to, protection against loss of income for example," he said. Hoci Cymru's concussion policy was first introduced in 2021. Its chief executive, Paul Whapham, said they could not comment on individual insurance cases but acknowledged the "very real impact" Mrs Render's injury had and took her concerns "seriously". "This situation highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency around insurance coverage," said Mr Whapham. Advertisement He added Hoci Cymru's approach to head injuries had developed but there was "always more" to be done so players "understand the extent and limitations of cover provided through affiliation". "We are committed to working with our insurers, our clubs and partners to ensure that policies are clear, fair and supportive of our players' wellbeing," Mr Whapham said.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Wales boss Bellamy has no fear of Belgium after 'best year'
Craig Bellamy has no fear ahead of Wales' World Cup qualifier away to Belgium (VIRGINIE LEFOUR) Craig Bellamy said his first year in charge of Wales has been the best of his life as he puts his undefeated record on the line in Monday's World Cup qualifier against Belgium. The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker has enjoyed a dream start to his first managerial role with five wins and four draws in nine games. Advertisement Avoiding defeat in Brussels would match the Welsh record of 10 games undefeated set under Mark Hughes between 2001 and 2003. But Bellamy has no fear of defeat against a Belgian side ranked eighth in the world. "It's going to happen (losing a game). Do I live in fear of it? Not at all. I don't live that way," said Bellamy at his pre-match press conference. "I've had so many setbacks in my life, it's ok, I'm still here. And I've actually just had the best year of my life. This has been the best. "How did I get that at 45? It's what I've been waiting for but, at the same time, it's like I don't know what's around the corner. Advertisement "But I know what I'm going to do. Enjoy everything. The good, the bad, whatever it is." Group J leaders Wales are six points clear of Belgium after beating Liechtenstein 3-0 on Friday. Bellamy's men have taken seven points from their first three qualifiers, while Belgium began their campaign with a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia on Friday. That six-point gap has put early pressure on Belgium, who have won only one of their last eight games and are under new management in former Napoli and Lyon boss Rudi Garcia. "We've done everything we could. That's the honest truth," added Bellamy. Advertisement "I've just loved every moment because they train, they work, they show up, and to have that is amazing. "I don't to have say, 'that wasn't good enough, no, we need to be sharper'. Never once I had to. So they give you energy." Wales are again without Leeds winger Daniel James, who has failed to recover from illness after missing the Liechtenstein win. Nottingham Forest full-back Neco Williams also misses out after rolling his ankle against Liechtenstein. kca/smg/dmc
