Whalsay off the bottom after strong win in netball first division

Whalsay comfortably defeated Supernova to move away from the bottom of the netball league first division while AHS narrowly outpointed second-placed Kinetics. Challengers got the points after Unst failed to field a team while leaders Loungers saw off Team Rowley.

Division One

Supernova 18, Whalsay 50

Whalsay dominated from the first whistle with the whole team playing a flawless game of netball. They linked play up the court for the shooting duo of Vaila and Lara Kay to finish it off with some great goals, despite the concerted efforts of young Supernova defenders Hannah Burgess and Katie Farnworth.

Supernova struggled to keep possession of the ball and Whalsay defenders Sarah Kay and Natalie Polson seized every opportunity to fire any rebounds back up to their goal third, where they were quickly converted into goals. At the end of the first quarter Whalsay were streaking ahead at 15-1.

In the second quarter Supernova’s Liz Haining played some cracking netball, determined to close the goal difference, which she succeeded in doing for the first half of the quarter, scoring a quick succession of goals. However, Whalsay fought back and at half-time the score stood at 23-8.

The second half saw Whalsay continue to strengthen their lead, while Supernova floundered.

Players of the match were Vaila Kay for Whalsay and Alice Unsworth for Supernova.

Loungers 36, Team Rowley 18

Both teams took a few minutes to settle into the game with a number of unforced errors creeping into both teams’ play.

Brenda Manson and Maisie Unsworth did well in defence for TR, making it difficult for the Loungers shooters and pushing them to the circle edge forcing the long-range shots.

Loungers WD Diane Thomson helped out the circle defenders, blocking the shooters and working hard to keep her opponent off the circle edge. Loungers took control with some great teamwork and passing to end the first quarter 7-4 ahead.

Loungers stepped up a gear in the second quarter and extended the lead quickly. The defensive unit of Louise Moar and Jennifer Thomson were making the TR shooters work hard for the ball and making crucial interceptions which Loungers worked up the court and converted into goals.

Strong attacking play from TR’s Julie Kirkness, feeding her shooters well, allowed Rowley to come ahead. Unfortunately just as Rowley were getting under way shooter Marie Clark suffered an injury and had to leave the court, which left her team unsettled. Loungers took advantage and extended the lead to 19-8 going into half time.

The third quarter saw TR make a few changes and work the ball into their shooters much better. Shooters Suzanne Fox and Lisa Morrison were making some great shots but the Loungers defenders were not giving them much with their tight marking and great tips. The quarter was much more even with the teams matching each other goal for goal. Beth Leslie worked tirelessly at WD, helping Loungers to keep their lead to 26-16 as Rowley had their best quarter of the game.

The Loungers attacking unit of shooters Ava Sim and Stella Oldbury and mid-court players Vicki Henderson and Hazel Uren worked efficiently in the final quarter, feeding great balls into their shooters who were netting a high percentage of their shots.

Rowley struggled to get the ball into the attacking third as Loungers shut down their attacking play in the mid-court. Loungers pulled ahead and won comfortably.

Player of the match for Loungers was Louise Moar and for Team Rowley Maisie Unsworth.

AHS 25, Kinetics 24

Kinetics welcomed back shooter Vaila Hough to their starting line-up and fielded a mix of experienced players with junior players – a combination that has worked well for them during the season.

It was a shaky start from both sides with the first goal for Kinetics being scored after three minutes. Having possession for the next centre pass Kinetics scored their second goal to take an early lead. AHS fought back to draw level before taking the lead in a low-scoring quarter at 6-5.

The second quarter again was an edgy affair with neither team settling into their stride. Sarah Grogan replaced Hough at GS and was put under pressure by AHS defender Sophie May Leyland who, along with Emma Leask, was restricting space and shooting opportunities in the circle. However, their hard work was often wasted as in the attack AHS failed to keep possession due to a series of careless mistakes.

Kinetics defenders Lesley Spence and Andrea Tait also were in fine form, pressurising the AHS shooters and gaining the rebounds. This was another low scoring quarter with AHS just out in front at 11-9.

A shake-up in the AHS team saw Inga Woods move to defence, Leyland to centre and Andrea Strachan to WA in an attempt to establish some fast flowing netball. But again both teams looked nervy when in possession with unforced errors on both sides. Kinetics suffered a blow as an injured Spence was replaced by Amber Inkster at GK. The score was 20-18 to AHS going into the last quarter.

The final quarter saw Kinetics show grit and determination and pulled back the deficit 24-23. However, more drama followed as with three minutes left to play, three of the Kinetics players had to leave to catch the Yell ferry leaving them with five on court. AHS just managed to edge in front in the remaining minutes to win by the narrowest of margins.

Players of the match were Emma Leask for AHS and Andrea Tait for Kinetics.

Division Two

Da McEwans 34, Mishaps 42

Both teams settled quickly into a very close game with Da McEwans just edging ahead by one goal at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was equally close with both sets of shooters rarely missing and great defensive work by both teams.

Da McEwans were unlucky to lose Alison Williamson through injury in the third quarter but Deborah Mowat stepped in at GS and scored crucial goals. However, the Mishaps capitalised on the disruption and began to edge ahead, running out eventual winners in a game that could have gone either way.

Players of the match for Da McEwans were Maggie Irvine and Joanne Stewart and Leanne Tait and Marie Manson for Mishaps.

Burra 45, Tingwall 37

Both teams settled quickly with end-to-end play. Burra’s Kristan Robertson and Alexis Jamieson worked hard in centre court feeding into the circle to Ingrid Devine who started off in good form. The Tingwall  defence of Anne Mowat and Andrea Jeromson were marking tightly, making Burra work hard, and the quarter ended 11-10 to Tingwall.

Both teams made some changes and Burra played well, making no mistakes, and pulled ahead to 23-11.

Tingwall picked up their pace in the second half with Jennifer Wadley playing well at centre and linking well with the Tingwall shooters. Tingwall pulled back to 32-31.

The last quarter was very fast and exciting but Burra came out the winners at 45-37.

Players of the match for Burra were Ingrid Devine and Heather Henry and for Tingwall Andrea Jeromson and Jennifer Wadley.