Sunday saw Grasshopper Netball Club face Loughborough University's netball team and the 'hoppers' were up against it from the start. At the end of the first quarter, they were down and losing. This remained the case in the second quarter, but then when Grasshoppers were still losing at half time - after a hard fought, competitive first half - Coach, Anne Melling made several changes, bringing off Sarah Melling at Wing Defence and replacing her with Becs Smith, moving Carly Varney off from C and bringing on Amy Brennan at C and Hannah Smith at WA.
Unfortunately, these changes didn't work and it looked - during the third quarter - as if Grasshoppers were really missing one of their key players - GA, Donna Osborn. In spite of some sterling defensive work by Sadie Burch at GD and Megs Palmer at GK, Grasshoppers could still not catch Loughborough.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Coach made further changes to the team and Grasshopper's fortunes began to change - but a win still seemed totally out of reach. However, with this particular combination, the netball just seemed to flow effortlessly - and Loughborough University seemed to lose their rhythm drastically. So much so that by the end of the match, Grasshoppers had actually won the game by 3 clear goals; 41-38. A superb win, but well deserved after the netball played in the last quarter. Player of the Match: GD - Sadie Burch.
Unfortunately, these changes didn't work and it looked - during the third quarter - as if Grasshoppers were really missing one of their key players - GA, Donna Osborn. In spite of some sterling defensive work by Sadie Burch at GD and Megs Palmer at GK, Grasshoppers could still not catch Loughborough.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Coach made further changes to the team and Grasshopper's fortunes began to change - but a win still seemed totally out of reach. However, with this particular combination, the netball just seemed to flow effortlessly - and Loughborough University seemed to lose their rhythm drastically. So much so that by the end of the match, Grasshoppers had actually won the game by 3 clear goals; 41-38. A superb win, but well deserved after the netball played in the last quarter. Player of the Match: GD - Sadie Burch.
