Top division champions end on high

FIRST division netball winners Kinetics finished on a high by defeating AHS while Supernova could not muster a team and had to concede the points to Whalsay. The second division matches played saw wins for Wastside and McEwans while Ness and Scalloway Juniors were victorious in division three.

Division One
AHS 31, Kinetics 41

With Kinetics already worthy winners of the division, their final game was against injury plagued AHS, with the school team missing key shooters Andrea Strachan and Christine Jamieson.

Luckily ex-AHS player Lynne Strachan was home on holiday and filled the GS position. Also, there was a welcome return for Sophie May Leyland in her first game back after five weeks off due to injury.

It was an evenly matched first quarter with impressive shooting from both sides. Strachan and Ava Sim quickly got into sync with one another and matched the formidable duo of Kirsti Leask and Sarah Grogan goal for goal. AHS led 13-12 at the end of the first period.

A change to the Kinetics defence saw Louise Kelly replace Lesley Spence at GK. This seemed to unsettle the Strachan/Sim combination as Kelly began to make vital interceptions. The ball was expertly fed up court by Emma Gra and with Grogan and Leask on top form the gap began to appear.

The AHS defence tried their best but as most teams have discovered this season, found it difficult to breakdown the Kinetics play. They successfully used the lob into the circle to great effect to lead 25-17 by half time.

The second half saw a more focused AHS as they regained the composure they had shown in the first quarter. Again they matched the Kinetics in all areas of the court but were unable to reduce the deficit. Mention must go to Louise Fraser for Kinetics for her support play around the circle and also to Sasha Wood for finding space and width to assist in the AHS attack. Kirsti Leask and Louise Kelly were the Kinetics players of the match with Emma Leask getting the award for AHS.

Supernova v Whalsay

Supernova were let down at the 11th hour for their final match of the season against Whalsay, so turned out only five players.

Shortly into the first quarter help arrived in the form of youngster Christine Inkster who came on as GS and played a tremendous game. However, by half time Supernova decided to concede the points and play the remaining half of the game as a friendly, bringing on stalwart Valerie Morrison as WD to complete the Supernova line-up.

Division Two
Mishaps 14, Unst 42

This was Mishaps’ final game of the season and they set out with hopes high of a successful game. Unst were up for the fight and got off to a brilliant start with their shooters on target and centre court play flawless. Mishaps struggled in the first quarter with Unst taking the lead.

In the second quarter Mishaps picked up their game and began to play more like themselves. Caroline Carroll and Alison Bain worked hard in defence trying to put pressure on Unst’s shooters but they found their space in the circle and with the help of good feeds into the circle from Unst’s centre court players resulted in them keeping the lead.

The third quarter saw Marie Manson and Alicia Hunter of Mishaps find their stride and fighting hard against the mother and daughter defence to secure some well-needed goals. Accurate passing from the Mishaps’ centre court players helped Mishaps catch up but Unst remained in the lead.

The final quarter was fast paced and well fought out between both teams but Unst kept their lead well.

Players of the match were Alicia Hunter for Mishaps and Claire Priest for Unst.

Wastside 34, Da Hooligans 27

Both teams had some new faces and different formations to their original game plan. This being so, it worked well for both sides with good team spirit and composure. The first quarter was evenly matched with Wastside just edging four goals ahead.

The second quarter saw Wastside in great mental state, making good interceptions in defence by Pauline Walterson and superior back up support from Mandy and Jenny Anderson.

In the third quarter Da Hooligans put up a good fight with some fine play in attack from Holly Jamieson and Zoe Irvine. Still a close game, Wastside continued to take advantage of any errors thus keeping the ball targeting on goal – with great feeding into the circle from Julie Crossan and Kirsten Anderson. Gillian Morriso and Mhari Moncrieff kept the goals steadily flowing in the net.

In the last quarter Da Hooligans’ two shooters Caroline Shearer and Valerie Sales missed very little goals, creeping up on Wastside, but the wast lasses stayed in control to maintain their lead.

Players of the match were Mhari Moncrieff for Wastside and Holly Jamieson for Da Hooligans.

Wastside 35, McEwans 44

With many players from Wastside calling off they fielded a young team. They compensated well, however, with some good play. Both teams were scoring consistently from the centre passes, resulting in an even first quarter.

The second quarter saw Wastside make some changes but still the McEwans stayed on top and upped their game a little to force Wastside into making errors. McEwans shooters Joanne Stewart and Emily Shearer were moving effectively to create their chance on netting some more goals. Injured McEwans defender Shona Moncrieff had to come off for this half so Emily Shearer replaced her and Alison Williamson went on to replace Shearer at GS. Play in the second half again started very evenly but the defence for McEwans of Emma Nicolson and Diane Irvine worked hard to disrupt the attackers’ play. Catherine Henry for Wastside still managed to score at chance.

In the end it was McEwans that secured the win.

Players of the match were Catherine Henry for Wastside and Diane Irvine for McEwans.

Division Three
Burra 16, Ness 51

Burra once again struggled to field a team with only six players and thanks must go to Joanne Anderson for her efforts.

Burra made a good start, scoring the first two goals with good shooting from Bethany Laurenson, but Ness quickly settled into their stride with the first quarter finishing in their favour at 13-3.

Burra fought hard throughout but Ness continued to show good teamwork, moving further ahead at the end of each quarter.

Players of the match were Erica Leask for Burra and Hazel Bairnson for Ness.

Mavericks 15, Scalloway Juniors 23

The game started dramatically with Scalloway’s wing defence having to be taken off in the first few minutes due to injury. She was replaced by Hannah Parkin. Mavericks were able to establish an early lead although Scalloway rallied together and were able to close the gap to finish the first quarter one goal behind Mavericks, the score being 6-5.

During the second quarter Scalloway’s Laura McIntyre and Karen Bannister linked well in the centre court and, despite some well-timed interceptions from Mavericks’ Amber Inkster, created chances. Scalloway started to edge ahead with impressive movement and confident shooting from Julie Brown and Cheryl Goodlad, taking them to a half time score of 14-10.

During the third quarter Scalloway were not to be stopped. With accurate shooting and good defence they went onto widen the gap to 21-12.

In the last quarter Mavericks tried again to steady the flow of play against them and were able to do so, netting three goals to Scalloway’s two, but the gap was too large and Scalloway ran out winners.

Players of the match were Amber Inkster for Mavericks and Cheryl Goodlad for Scalloway.