Grasshopper Netball Club played Falcons Yellow last Sunday in their East Midlands Netball Regional League Division 2 game at Loughborough University’s netball Centre (07/08/12). Falcons Yellow were Grasshopper’s fiercest competition of the season yet, which was not surprising considering the team had played Regional League Division 1 netball last season.
However, it was Grasshoppers who flew into the lead with some superb, accurate passing from the defence, through centre court and into the attack. The slick moves were rounded off with accurate shooting from Donna Osborn and Beth Smith, meaning Grasshoppers led 12-8 after the first quarter. Falcons Yellow appeared stunned to be losing to the ‘new kids on the block’ and started to pile on the pressure in the next quarter, particularly in their defensive circle. It meant Grasshopper Netball Club’s shooters lost some of their rhythm. In fact, it was a very physical quarter across the whole of the court, with both teams being highly competitive in the hope of gaining any advantage. However, it was Falcons Yellow who ended up winning the quarter 15-8 to leave the score at half time 20-23 to Falcons Yellow. The third quarter continued in the same way as the second, with some very physical defending. Grasshopper Netball Club’s shooting rhythm had still not been returned to its first quarter level but the whole team continued to give 100% effort to keep the score line close. Goals were scored at either end but fortune favoured Falcons Yellow, who again just edged the quarter 9-11 to give them an overall lead of 29-34 after the third quarter. The final quarter saw coach, Anne Melling, bring on Rebecca Smith at Wing Defence, replacing Laura Harbour. Unfortunately for Grasshoppers, Falcons Yellow started to pull away, as they converted goal after goal, in spite of some sterling work by defenders Stephanie Hiom and Tracy Glover. At the end of a physically contested match Falcons Yellow finished overall winners with a score of 36-49. Grasshopper Netball Club’s Player of the match went to Donna Osborn (Goal Attack). For details about Grasshopper Netball Club contact the website: www.grasshoppernetballclub.co.uk Northants JMs had high hopes in this week’s East Midlands Netball Regional League Division 1 game against Leicestershire’s Bluetits (07/10/12), especially as JMs’ Fiona Pritchett, Honor de Winton and Annie Bolle-Jones were all making their first appearances for the club this season.
JMs' first quarter started rather slowly, with a number of passes and shots lacking their usual accuracy. This gave Bluetits all of the ammunition they needed to stride into a seven-goal lead at quarter time, with a score line of 14-21. Substitutions were made by Northants JMs with Poole coming on at Wing Defence and Bolle-Jones at Goal Defence. Excellent work by Chantee Lewis and Bolle-Jones meant JMs’ interception and turnover rates were much higher in the second quarter. In fact, JMs’ overall play resulted in a very respectable second quarter score line of 12-14, meaning a half time score 26-35 in Bluetits’ favour. JMs decided to make more changes for the third quarter, with Elisa Hayden coming on at Wing Defence and Fay Anderson (previously Centre) swapping positions with Pritchett (previously Wing Attack). A much-improved JMs team was witnessed during these 15 minutes and the team got within a six-goal margin during this quarter. However, some of JMs’ turnovers were not always converted into goals and Bluetits fought back to end the quarter 35-45 ahead. The last quarter brought final changes to JMs’ line-up with Lou Tunnicliff coming on at Wing Defence, Hayden moving to Goal Defence and Bolle-Jones moving to Goal Keeper. At times JMs showed some delightful play in attack during this period, although the team knew that stealing a 10-goal lead from Bluetits was always going to be a tough ask. However with guts and determination, JMs pulled a win out of this quarter at 10-9, meaning a final score of 44-53. Northants JMs’ Player of the Match went to Annie Bolle-Jones. Megan Samways came back into the side at Centre, with Laura Forsey moving to Wing Attack, allowing Amy Womersley to go into the Goal Shooter position. Lincoln City 2 started the game well, with a good defence throughout the court, which made it difficult for Sleaford Barge to pass. The defensive duo of Lizzie Saywell and Jade Houlton were tight and made some great rebounds and interceptions, which limited the feeds into Sleaford Barge’s Goal Shooter. Lincoln City 2 won the quarter 13-10. In the second quarter, Barge were tight on centre passes but Laura and Vicky Bayes excelled at getting free. Vic Adams made a good interception and Lizzie and Jade were able to force the shooters away from the post in an attempt to gain possession from the rebounds. The relatively new pairing of Amy and Vicky in attack also worked well, as they showed great communication. The team effort helped Lincoln City 2 increase their lead at the end of this quarter, putting them 30-17 ahead. After half time, Laura Forsey came on at centre, allowing a dizzy Megan to rest after working hard. It also allowed Charlotte Bayes to make another good appearance at Wing Attack, where she produced some excellent feeds into attack. Sleaford Barge’s defence was good in this quarter but Lincoln City 2 still managed to increase their possession and with it, their advantage by a further six goals. Going in the final quarter, Lincoln City 2 led 44-25 overall.
Hinckley Hurricanes continued their winning streak of three matches with a convincing win over Leapoole Netball Club in the East Midlands Netball Regional League Division 1 (07/10/12).
Hurricanes sprung out of the starting blocks and led all the way during the first period, moving into a 18 - 9 first-quarter lead. Great movement up the court, coupled with great service to shooters, Stephanie Dunn and Laura Matkin, saw the Hurricanes stretch their lead during the second quarter too, resulting in a half-time lead of 40 - 17. The third quarter period is proving to be a particularly important 15 minutes for Hurricanes this season as it is the quarter where they have managed assert their biggest influence on games. It proved to be the case again during this match as Hurricanes did not look back, stretching their lead to 57 - 26. Continued discipline from the Hinckley Hurricanes team, along with a passion and drive to continue their performance carried the girls into the final quarter. A different line up in the centre court saw Charlotte Taylor take over the Centre bib and continue the drive down court. The movement of the ball from defence to attack was strong throughout and the ladies once again increased their winning margin. The final score finished Hinckley Hurricanes 74 – 35 Leapoole. All in all, a fantastic team performance, which resulted in the ‘Player of the Match’ votes given to all members of the team. However, the final votes saw Stephanie Dunn, Karen Williams and Debbie Skene all deservedly tied for the Player of the Match position. Stephanie's work rate in the circle at Goal Attack created space for the Goal Shooter, whilst also netting many shots herself; Karen Williams at Centre and Wing Attack set the pace and momentum of the game; Debbie Skene rallied the troops at Goal Defence and did not give her player an inch throughout the whole match. Well done to the whole team who now look to continue their winning ways in their next match on Sunday 21 October at 1pm at the Sir David Wallace Courts at Loughborough University. Lincoln City 1 took a 7-1 lead in the first quarter of today’s East Midlands Regional League Division 1 match (7/10/12) against Pennine but with some hard work in defence, Pennine managed to recover to go into the first quarter interval one goal up.
Pennine’s good form continued into the next quarter but in spite of some solid circle defending from Rebecca Grundy and Emma Warren, this time it was Lincoln City 1’s turn to fight back and at half time the match was level at 20 – 20. After half time, Pennine could not maintain the sharp attacking play that had served them so well in the first half though, meaning their shooting opportunities were restricted. The final score was Pennine 36 – 47 Lincoln City 1. Pennine’s Player of the Match for this week went to Emma Warren. |
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