Kinetics set fast pace in netball league as struggling Supernova fail to shine

KINETICS and Whalsay were the victors in Division One while in Division Two Challengers clocked up a trio of wins. Scalloway Juniors and Ness won their matches in Division Three.

Division One

Loungers 20, Kinetics 36

The starting line ups for both teams were a bit different to previous weeks. Kinetics set the pace of the game with some fast attacking play and accurate shooting from Sarah Grogan and Kirsti Leask. Loungers’ shooters Claire Young and new recruit Paula Sinclair took a while to settle but did well in terms of movement in the circle for never having played together before. Kinetics took a demanding lead at the end of the first quarter 4-12. Loungers made some changes for the second quarter with Vicki Henderson moving from mid court into defence and Hazel Uren moving to centre. Great linking play in mid court and strong centre passes from Diane Thomson, Hazel Uren and Julie Grant allowed them to move the ball up the court rapidly, working well around the circle. Loungers had less success in their shooting circle this quarter with Kinetics’ defenders Louise Kelly and Lesley Spence snapping up rebounds and moving the ball up court at pace to the shooters who were rarely missing a shot. The score at the end of the first half was 9-20. The third quarter saw great teamwork from the Loungers team, producing their best performance of the night. Shooters Young and Sinclair were consistently finding the back of the net. This quarter saw the teams match each other goal for goal with seven goals apiece. Kinetics led at the end of the third quarter 16-27. The final quarter saw Kinetics really put the pressure on, scoring a number of goals in quick succession to increase their lead. Loungers worked hard defensively but again found it hard to put away the goals with Kinetics turning the ball over quickly and the formidable shooting duo of Grogan and Leask converting these chances into goals effortlessly.

Players of the match for Loungers were Louise Moar and Paula Sinclair and for Kinetics was Sarah Grogan.

Whalsay 36, Supernova 16

Whalsay took an early lead from the start with excellent mid court play from Catherine Williamson (C), Debbie Hutchison (WA) and Nicola Duthie (WD). Despite determined defending from the young Supernova team the Whalsay shooters June Williamson (GS) and Vaila Kay (GA) rarely missed. Supernova battled on to the end but found it difficult to penetrate the strong Whalsay defence of Sarah Kay (GD) and Ingrid Nicol (GK). Players of the match were Hannah Burgess (C) for Supernova and Sarah Kay (GD) for Whalsay.

Division Two

Challengers 42, Wastside 28

Wastside took an early lead despite having only six players for the first 10 minutes. Challengers then settled with good defence work and fought back which resulted in them leading 9-7 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter started fast and furious. Challengers’ mid court of Pauline Irvine, Maree Simpson and Kathleen Jamieson worked hard to intercept vital passes which were quickly fed into their shooters. The Challengers’ shooters hardly missed a shot which enabled them to pull ahead to lead 21-13 at half time.

In the second half the Wastside defence of Alison Hunter and Julie Keith were consistent and kept spirits up within their team. The final score did not reflect the nature of the game, which ended in a win for Challengers 42-28.

Players of the match were Pauline Irvine for Challengers and Alison Hunter for Wastside.

Challengers 49, McEwans 30

The game started very evenly, with both teams taking time to settle. Challengers pulled ahead in the second quarter to lead 25-15 at half time. A very friendly good humoured game played on home ground ended with a win for Challengers 49-30.

Players of the match were Heather Williamson for Challengers and Eileen Robertson for McEwans.

Challengers 43, Da Hooligans 19

Challengers played the young Whalsay team in Whalsay, a game which consisted of good passing from both teams and the Hooligans showing great potential in their newly formed team. Challengers won in the end 43-19.

Players of the match were Louise Johnson and Marie Irvine for Challengers and Shelley Sandison for Hooligans.

Division Three

Scallywags 16, Scalloway Juniors 23

With the last fixture between the two Scalloway sides ending in a nail-biting finish, it was always going to be an interesting match. Both teams were missing key players due to the holiday period, making the initial stages of the game slow in settling as the players tried to establish themselves in new or unfamiliar positions. It was point for point however, with the junior side just peeking out ahead 3-4 by the end of the first quarter. A more settled junior side emerged, showing determination and a calm, consistent approach. They quickly realised that height was on their side, building up fast and precise passes between Erin Sandison and Karen Banister, which helped the younger lasses to build up a substantial lead through the accuracy of shooter Cheryl Goodlad.

The third quarter started with the score 6-14 in favour of the juniors, but the Scallywags had not given up just yet, and made some significant changes to their team set-up. Switching Anne-Marie Robinson from GD to GA made a large impact, while Nicola Smith (C) and Andrea Henderson (WD) were managing to make some important interceptions in mid court. This helped Scallywags finally settle down, and build up some flowing attacks. The defending pair of Dana Watt and Carla Hunter were also breaking down the advances of the tiring junior side. The score at the end of the third quarter was 10-20 to the Scalloway Juniors, but the Scallywags had finally found their flow, leaving the final quarter set to be another nail-biter. Scallywags started the last session with accuracy and determination, picking up goals in quick succession and blocking well at the other end too. The play was fast and furious but it was too late for the Scallywags as the Scalloway Juniors managed to hold on for the points, leaving the Scallywags wishing they had changed their format a bit earlier on in the game. Players of the match were Anne-Marie Robinson for Scallywags and Karen Banister for Scalloway Juniors.

Ness 18, Burra 14

Both teams started strongly with good end-to-end play and tight marking from both sides. These teams were evenly matched producing just a few scoring chances for each side, mostly taken, to finish a tightly fought first quarter 4-4.

Good defensive play by both sides during the second quarter kept the goal tally down. The centre third of court was kept busy with the flow of play but there was still nothing to choose between the teams. Ness shooting duo Rachel Adamson (GS) and Caroline Wood (GA) worked hard to edge their team into an 8-6 lead at half time.

Burra made a few changes to their line-up during the break bringing on Heather Henry as GD. The game continued at a fast pace with the same tight play and not many goal-scoring opportunities. Burra shooters Natalie Jamieson and Ingrid Devine worked well together in the circle taking advantage of some good balls fed in by Erica Leask (C) to keep the score close. However, Ness continued to play good quality netball maintaining their lead 13-10.

Burra started the final quarter strongly, trying to close the three goal deficit but Ness kept the shape to their game to claim a narrow victory 18-14 by the final whistle.

Player of the match for Burra was Erica Leask (C) and for Ness Sonja Jamieson (WA). Both players were effective and valuable for their teams in centre court.