Win puts Team Rowley level at top of netball first division

Team Rowley moved level at the top of the netball league division one after a comfortable win over Wastside while the third division matches saw victories for leaders Hotfooters, Scalloway Juniors and Tingwall.

Division One

Wastside 15, Team Rowley 66

This was a good-natured match despite Wastside being the underdogs to Team Rowley who dominated from the start.

Wastside went on court with an unfamiliar team due to some players being unwell with a winter flu or unfit with an injury, but still managed to play reasonably well. However, Team Rowley were in good form. Fiona Dally and Maisie Unswarth played well in defence and Lisa Morrison and Marie Clark showed good partnership in the circle, which led to many goals being scored.

In the second quarter Team Rowley continued to dominate with all team players keeping their flow in their movement and passes with the good support from Kirsty Utley and Kylie Wood. Despite this Amiee Keith and Julie Crossan for Wastside made many good efforts in attack, feeding good-quality passes towards their fellow team mates. Also Dawn Nicolson for Wastside made some good interceptions.

In the third quarter Wastside settled down some, with Erin Morrison and Margaret Johnston pairing well in defence and at the other side Mhari Moncrieff and Julie Keith giving more chances on goals. Anne Wood of Team Rowley, who played consistently well in the first two quarters, continued to do so after changing to shooting position.

During the last quarter Team Rowley kept up the pressure with the influence of Morag Fox at centre and the good assistance from Karen Bannister. Shooters Marie and Lisa also continued to pot the goals and finish the game with a high result.

Players of the match were Anne Wood for Team Rowley and Julie Keith and Mhari Moncrieff for Wastside.

Division Three

Hotfooters 32,  Ness 24

This match was the last of the pre-Christmas league and even though the outcome would make no difference to the league table, both teams were looking for a win.

Ness took an early lead with good team play, particularly with strong passes into the circle. But Hotfooters came back into it with strong shooting from Liza Fullerton and Haley Tulloch. This boosted the team, with the defenders catching any loose balls and sending it back up the court. The quarter ended 8-5 to Hotfooters.

Ness were not to be outdone in the second quarter and made sure they took advantage of the larger court space of the Clickimin. As usual, Ness centre Megan Smith made crucial interceptions and kept the pace strong, with accurate feeds into the shooters.

Hotfooters continued to play well as a team and with strong defending from Rosann Georgeson they made Ness work hard for every goal. Ness shooter Elizabeth Williamson found her form though and rarely missed a shot, closing the gap to 15-13 to Hotfooters.

The third quarter was played much like the second, with a quick pace and great team play from both.  There was nothing between the two teams, so the quarter ended 21-19 to Hotfooters.

Ness picked up the pace in the final quarter, knowing a win was in their sights as Hotfooters appeared to be tiring. Unfortunately, when only one point behind Hotfooters, Elizabeth Williamson dislocated her finger and had to be rushed to casualty.

This changed the game completely. Ness substitute Ashley Young did well to come on at such a crucial time and scored a few goals for Ness, but Hotfooters ran away with the rest of the quarter, the game ending 32-24.

With Hotfooters moving up to the second division, Ness will always wonder what could have been in such a close, thrilling match.

Players of the match were Elizabeth Williamson for Ness for her accurate shooting and Rosann Georgeson for Hotfooters for her great defensive play, particularly her interceptions and rebounds.

Scalloway Juniors 29, Scallywags 27

Scalloway Juniors won the first centre pass and opened the scoring. They continued to increase their lead with accurate shooting from Rachel Young and Julie Brown.

Moving into the second quarter, Scallywags fought back and Cyndi Pottinger brought the score much closer with some great shooting. Scallywags also defended well in this quarter, with Naomi Johnson making it very difficult the for the Juniors to increase their lead.

In the third quarter Krissi Macdonald and Kirsten Flett linked brilliantly together to feed the ball into the Juniors shooters. Meg Laurenson worked tirelessly in centre court for Scallywags, passing well with centre Gwen Malcolmson.

The score was very close between the two Scalloway sides, resulting in a competitive final quarter. Juniors defenders Kaylee Moat and Erin Sandison continuously defended well and were intercepting passes, making it hard for the Scallywags shooters. Both teams played well, but the Scalloway Juniors came out winners in the end.

Players of the match were Krissi Macdonald for the Scalloway Juniors and Meg Laurenson for Scallywags.

Tingwall 44, Da Hooligans 30

Da Hooligans won the toss and elected to have first centre pass. The game started at a frantic pace with both teams eager to take the lead.

Tingwall opened the scoring with good attacking play from Jennifer Wadley and Alexis Jamieson and accurate feeding into the circle to Kim Johnson and Kayti Jeromson.

As the first quarter progressed Da Hooligans began to settle and good linking play from their centre, Karis Irvine, Valerie Sales and Lara Kay enabled them to claw back a few goals to finish the quarter 13-9.

The second quarter began a quick pace, good play from Tingwall shooters and centre court players saw them hold on to their lead. Fast, speedy play from Hooligans kept the play moving from end to end of the court keeping the pressure on the Tingwall defence of Joanne Anderson, Anne Bennett and Louise Arthur.

Good rebounds and interceptions from the young defensive three of Abbey Irvine, Tammi Anderson and Nicola Polson prevented Tingwall from increasing the score.

The third quarter saw Da Hooligans rearrange their team with Rhea Kay coming on as shooter, Holly Jamieson at centre, Lynda Hutchison at goalkeeper and Lara Kay moving to defence.

This change worked well for them with Rhea and Valerie scoring the next three goals. With steady accurate passing and good defending from Kay and Hutchison Hooligans started to take control of the quarter.

The final quarter saw Hooligans’ Sales net the first goal. Both teams continued to play hard, fighting for every pass and interception. Tingwall defenders Jeromson and Bennett marked tight in the circle and made Da Hooligan shooters work hard for every pass and shot.

Da Hooligans lived up to their reputation of never giving up but were unable to close the gap, the final score being 44-30.

Players of the match were Kim Johnson of Tingwall and Valerie Sales from Da Hooligans.