16/06/09

Leigh comes back to play her 100th match.

WARREN PARTLAND

COUGARS' Leigh Waddington will finally achieve an ambition and play her 100th Subway Cup match on Friday night.
    A year after collapsing to the court in agony with a knee injury, Waddington will celebrate the milestone against Garville at ETSA Park.
    "Being 24, it is something I always wanted to do," Waddington said. "It's been a while - I started in league in 2003 with SASI."
    "We lost to Garville by one goal last time so hopefully we turn that around."
    After a season with SASI, Waddington rejoined Harlequin for a year before moving to Woods Panthers for three years to play under coach Jackie Blyth.
    But the desire to play alongside sister Jade at Cougars, which are coached by her dad Scott, was too strong and she switched allegiance last year.
    Unfortunately she played just eight games before damaging her knee and being forced to sit out the rest of the season.
    She completed the pre-season but admits to being a lot slower than her team-mates as well as lacking agility.
    Ten months after the injury to her right knee, Waddington was back on court for the round three clash against Harlequin.
    But she was the only Waddington in the side after her sibling quit the club to play with Gawler Central iri the Barossa competition.
    "It's disappointing I got to play only eight games with Jade," Leigh said. "With full-time work and study, she found the commitment too much and decided to play with Gawler Central.
    "I'll keep playing with Cougars while I am still enjoying it and then I'll play with Jade at Gawler.
    "The knee has been really good and I don't think about it at all."

Leigh comes back to play her 100th match.
WARREN PARTLAND COUGARS' Leigh Waddington will finally achieve an ambition and play her 100th Subway Cup match on Friday night. A year after collapsing to the court in agony with a knee injury, Waddington will celebrate the milestone against Garville at ETSA Park. "Being 24, it is something I always wanted to do," Waddington said. "It's been a while - I started in league in 2003 with SASI." "We lost to Garville by one goal last time so hopefully we turn that around." After a season with SASI,	Waddington rejoined Harlequin for a year before moving to Woods Panthers for three years to play under coach Jackie Blyth. But the desire to play alongside sister Jade at Cougars, which are coached by her dad Scott, was too strong and she switched allegiance last year. Unfortunately she played just eight games before damaging her knee and being forced to sit out the rest of the season. She completed the pre-season but admits to being a lot slower than her team-mates as well as lacking agility. Ten months after the injury to her	right knee, Waddington was back on court for the round three clash against Harlequin. But she was the only Waddington in the side after her sibling quit the club to play with Gawler Central iri the Barossa competition. "It's disappointing I got to play only eight games with Jade," Leigh said. "With full-time work and study, she found the commitment too much and decided to play with Gawler Central. "I'll keep playing with Cougars while I am still enjoying it and then I'll play with Jade at Gawler. "The knee has been really good and I don't think about it at all."