UWIC Archers coach Damian Jennings couldn't conceal his joy after his side came from behind to beat City of Sheffield Hatters 56-52 in the Women's Division One playoff final on Sunday.

 

The victory gave Archers their first top flight title after collecting four runners-up medals over the last two years.

 

"Firstly this feels great!" he said "It has not only been a goal met for one season's worth of effort but the culmination of a strategy and mission set about four years ago when I took over the then UWIC Stealers.

 

"In 2006 we were mid-table Division Two, with a core group who have stayed, fought and been complimented by some of the best players Great Britain has to offer. We re-branded to strengthen our identity with UWIC and became the Archers and have not looked back since.

 

"[This] achievement, coupled with our 3rd BUCS title epitomises what energy and a relentless ambition can produce. Our funding was knocked significantly this year, but the passionate few stuck to their support roles and help provide a programme fit to hold high aspirations.

 

"There are simply too many people to thank as this really has been a team effort off the court, but to highlight just one I would like to thank my assistant coach David Bailey, he has been instrumental in providing continuous feedback to players.

 

"The most significant praise should go to the players. This 13 player squad have relentlessly kept to task daily to generate the small margins needed at this level to succeed. I can't begin to state how proud of each and every one of my players I am, as they have all contributed on a daily basis since September. For some those contributions have been over several years!"

 

With Archers fighting back from a ten point deficit to deny Sheffield their 14th playoff title and gain revenge for last year's hammering in the title game, Jennings was delighted to have been part of such an entertaining game:

 

"The final itself was a spectacle that no one could have predicted," he said. "For the neutral watching I'm sure they felt we were done after the first half. All our effort to draw level or get within three points of Sheffield throughout the first 30 minutes were just a bridge too far, and the eventual take-over looked lost from our grasp.

 

"Contributions from Kate Butters in the first half kept the low score ticking over, as foul trouble had me rotating carefully to maintain balance at both ends of the floor.

 

"Meg Hoffman, who woke up blitzed by a viral infection, was not in my plans to play. She could not feel her body, so I did not start her and she was not really in my thoughts. After three minutes she just looked at me and said 'I am ok, I will go on'. A 50 percent fit Meg Hoffman is someone you still wouldn't leave out of your side - she was a hero today!

 

"The second half went to several key contributors, although all played their part. Nicki [Avery] was just playing like someone you could not take off. Without her presence defensively and her impact on the offensive glass we were lacking winning areas on the floor - even when tired she just had to stay in the game.

 

"Mia Spasowska created several spin move looks that had the crowd lifted, as did Meg Hoffman, Kate Butters, Becky Brough and Leah Dehaan from the arc. Ultimately though the second half goes to MVP Stef Collins and how she orchestrated with her unit on the floor the foul trouble that afforded us scores in dead time and the opportunity to slip ahead.

 

"Sheffield were incredibly tough, physical and simply found ways of making our defence look mediocre at times. It took special efforts to finish strong, and it was definitely a special way to win our first national title at the top level and I am personally very excited about the future and seeing how far we can take the Archers programme."