MK Bucks (12… ish) v Birmingham City (6)

Brum’s second friendly against the strong and experienced Bucks was a hard fought affair with Brum showing plenty of grit and determination without ever matching the Bucks quality. Rick Scowcroft scored an excellent runner to give City the lead but the Blues conceded 4 goals without reply before Scowcroft added his second with a well taken shot. Both sides pressed for goals with Rachel Flight coming closest from mid-range and City trailed 4-2 at half time. Bucks came out with all guns blazing as the 2nd half begun scoring 4 excellent goals from near the half way line to stun City and put them firmly on the back foot. Adil Jaffer pulled one back before Ness Gifford scored two clinical goals sandwiched between more Bucks goals. City were growing in confidence, passing the ball around well and using the feeds to work shots from mid-range. As the game became more open Ben Tattoo received the ball in feed from Jaffer, spun as his marker dropped off to cut out the runner and drained the shot from close range. Another battling performance with plenty of potential for City, Bring on the new season!

Teacher’s star of the day: Rick Scowcroft

MK Roos (9) vs Birmingham City (9)

Initiated rookie Matt Talliss marked his korfball debut with a clinical brace as Birmingham began their pre-season preparation with a draw against the battling MK Roos. Brum were reeling after Roo’s had levelled with two quick goals to match Rick Scowcroft’s double when Talliss struck, collecting a rebound from Caroline Lowdon’s shot and looping the ball into the basket from close range. Talliss then showed his range after Brum won the ball back taking Scowcroft’s long pass before draining the ball from just inside the half. Ben Tattoo scored two mid-range goals either side of two Roo’s goals after great attacking work from Rachel Flight, Adil Jaffer and Emma Lancashire to give Brum a well-deserved 6-4 lead at half time. After some encouraging words at half time, Club President Ness Gifford led by example scoring a stunning goal from long with City’s first attack of the second half. Roo’s again pulled back quickly reducing City’s lead to two goals. As the game began to take a scrappy turn City endured their worst period of the game making sloppy mistakes and were riled when several clear fouls were given as defended not penalties. Roos took full advantage and levelled again at 7-7. City rallied and were given a much needed boost when Beth “downtown” Phillips scored from a corner shot and Tattoo completed his hatrick with another midrange shot that rolled tensely around the basket before dropping in. As Roos pressed for more goals more controversial decisions presented Roo’s with two late goals to equalise and snatch a draw at the death. A frustrating end to an excellent team performance, but many positives to take from the first friendly of the day.

Teacher’s star of the day: Matt Talliss