Kinetics strengthen first division lead
It was a good week for Kinetics in division one of the netball leagues. The leaders beat Whalsay to move four points clear as their nearest challengers Team Rowley slumped to defeat against Loungers. Wastside and Da Hooligans both had good wins in the second and third divisions respectively.
Division One
Kinetics 38, Whalsay 27
Both teams took time to settle, Kinetics starting with an unchanged line-up from last week’s victory over Loungers. Kinetics held all their centre passes, maintaining possession, giving their shooters Kirsti Leask and Claire Morris perfect scoring opportunities. Kinetics romped to a 13-5 lead by quarter time.
Keen to stay ahead, Kinetics took to the court unchanged. Lesley Spence and Andrea Tait were combining well in defence, making timely interceptions coming into to the Whalsay attack. At this point Louise Fraser and Fiona Shearer were feeding well into their shooters, creating space for them. Kinetics led 21-10 at half time.
Going into the second half both teams made changes. Whalsay introduced Alison Moar at WA, Kinetics changed Fraser to centre, Ann-Marie Kennerley to WA, and Shearer moved into WD.
Moar injected some pace into Whalsay and they increased their goal tally. Good combining with Whalsay’s Vaila Kay (GA) saw them begin to fight back at Kinetics. Renewed confidence in Whalsay saw them more eager to win back goals. However, Kinetics were determined to maintain their winning streak and they stretched their lead to 29-17.
Going into the last quarter, Kinetics were keen to make no errors. However, the Whalsay defence were more determined than ever, with Sarah Kay and Janet Johnson pushing the Kinetics shooters out of their circle. Kay, in particular, began to read the ball well, making timely interceptions in mid-court.
This became Whalsay’s best quarter as they racked up 11 goals, one more than Kinetics. The Kinetics’ defence calmed the speed of play, and they maintained possession, in order to maintain their lead.
A solid team performance by Kinetics saw Andrea Tait collect the honours for player of the match. For Whalsay, Sarah Kay just edged out her team mates for the top position.
Team Rowley 33, Loungers 39
The earlier meeting of these teams this season saw Team Rowley beat Loungers by one goal. So both teams began the match ready for a close encounter and determined to secure a win.
Rowley began the match with a revised line-up due to defending shortages, Karen Mackay and Morag Fox stepping into defence. Loungers also had defending issues with Louise Moar out injured, Jennifer Thomson and Kristen Johnsonproviding cover.
The match began evenly with neither team wishing to give away an early advantage to their opposition. Mackay and Fox settled well in TR’s defensive circle and the first quarter score ended all square at 8-8.
The second quarter saw the Loungers defence make use of their height advantage and force some fast play and shooting from the TR circle. Loungers worked hard and constantly supported each other in attack and managed to gain the advantage, leading 19-16 at half-time.
The third quarter saw Loungers further build on their lead. They worked hard in defence, picking up interceptions and forcing errors, and moved the ball up court with some fine linking play from Julie Grant, Vicki Henderson and Hazel Uren. Loungers shooters Ava Sim and Stella Oldbury were moving well in the circle, making Fox and Mackay work hard. This quarter saw Loungers race to a 10-goal lead at 32-22.
In the final quarter both teams made a few changes. Rowley fought back to close the lead but unfortunately it was too little too late.
Players of the match were Jennifer Thomson for Loungers, who played superbly in defence, and Julie Kirkness for Team Rowley for her tireless centre court play and accurate feeding into the shooters.
Division Two
Wastside 47, Da McEwans 25
Wastside started strongly with a young side including two juniors, Jenny Anderson and Gillian Morrison making their debut for the senior side. Wastside took an early six-goal lead in the first quarter with good feeding into the circle from Jenny Anderson and Aimee Keith and accurate shooting from Shona Keith.
McEwans fought back to close the gap with great interceptions from Shona Moncrieff and mid-court play through Maggie Kay. By half-time the gap was closed to two goals down to great shooting from Joanne Stewart and Alison Williamson.
Brilliant rebounding from Susan Morrison and Erin Morrison in the McEwans circle and good play between Jenny Anderson, Julie and Aimee Keith in mid-court saw Wastside steadily increase their lead. Gillian’s confidence in the circle had grown as well and she was making brilliant shots in the last quarter.
Players of the match were Joanne Stewart for McEwans and Shona Keith for Wastside. Mention must go to Jenny and Gillian who both had a great game and made the step up to the senior league with ease.
Division Three
Da Hooligans 23, Scallywags 13
The first quarter started with strong, end-to-end play from both teams. The Scallywags defenders efficiently blocked Valerie Sales and Caroline Shearer getting close to the net. However, accurate passing into the shooters from Holly Jamieson and Zoe Irvine left the score at the end of the first quarter 6-2 in Da Hooligans’ favour.
Scallywags came back fighting with impressive interceptions and links up the court. However, this did not put Da Hooligans defenders Lara Kay and Lisa Smith off their stride. The second quarter ended 12-7 to Da Hooligans.
Da Hooligans swapped Holly Jamieson for Karis Irvine and Caroline Shearer for Rhea Kay and the changes boosted Da Hooligans’ confidence and prevented Scallywags taking the lead. The Scallywags never gave up which made Abbey Irvine from Da Hooligans more determined to make some vital interceptions.The third quarter ended 16-10 to Da Hooligans.
Close play and determination from both teams ended the fourth quarter 23-13 to the Whalsay lasses.
Players of match were Zoe Irvine and Karis Irvine for Da Hooligans and Gwen Malcolmson for Scallywags.
Burra v Tingwall
No report was submitted.
