Netball select fourth in Orkney tournament
A SHETLAND select netball team beat their old rivals and came fourth overall in a tournament in Orkney at the weekend.
A total of nine teams from all over Scotland entered, playing 20-minute games at the Pickaquoy Centre.
The Shetland squad consisted of Marie Clark, Fiona Dally (captain), Christine Jamieson, Louise Kelly, Dawn Manson, Louise Moar, Eileen Robertson, Ava Sim and Maree Simpson.
The Shetland team were slow to get going, losing out narrowly to Aberdeen team Westhill 14-16 – a disappointing start especially when they were leading by four goals with three minutes remaining.
Shetland v Dumfries saw a comfortable 19-4 win to the blues. Against the Edinburgh team, Holyrood, Shetland had their heaviest defeat losing by 13 goals to 7. Holyrood went on to become the overall winners, not losing a game the whole day.
Then came the showdown against Orkney and as expected this was played at a fast and furious pace with unforced errors from both sides. Shetland had a one-goal advantage at half time 7-6.
In the second half the team held their nerve and were four goals up with two minutes remaining. Orkney battled hard to regain the lead but left it a little too late – the final score 12-10 in Shetland’s favour.
The under-19 Orkney team put on a fine display of netball throughout the tournament and pushed the Shetland team all the way before they finally edged ahead in the second half winning by 15 goals to 9.
Shetland beat Stonehaven team Cowie Ladies by 18-5 and clocked up another win against Galloway 23-5.
Their final game of the day was against Inverness team Red Kites and tiredness was beginning to show as their concentration lapsed. They were trailing 8-3 at half time. A great comeback in the second half saw the blues draw level before narrowly losing by 12 goals to 14.
Overall the Shetland team finished a creditable fourth with Orkney third, Red Kites second and Holyrood the winners.
The team want to thank Orkney netball for hosting a superb tournament and for their hospitality over the weekend. They offered a big thanks also for the local support at the tournament from the Up-Helly-A’ Jarls squad who came along to cheer them on.
