Team Rowley and Kinetics ahead in netball top flight

There were wins in Division One of the netball league for Kinetics, Team Rowley and Challengers.

Division One

Kinetics 51, Unst 18

Kinetics won the centre and started this game quickly, with very accurate shooting and good movement around the circle from Kirsti Leask and Chloe Millar. They led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.

No changes were made by either team and Kinetics pulled further ahead with good interceptions by Andrea Tait playing WA. Unst were having to work very hard in mid court to try to get the ball up to their shooters.  The half-time score was 31-9.

Unst made a few changes in the third quarter and brought fresh legs on. This proved good for Unst. Claire Priest was the Unst backbone and throughout the game never missed a shot.

Both teams got seven goals this quarter, meaning Kinetics lead 38-16.

Kinetics were able to pull ahead again in the last quarter with good, solid play from all the team. All interceptions were being converted into goals at every opportunity.

Players of the match were Andrea Tait (Kinetics) and Claire Priest (Unst) for her 100 per cent shooting.

Team Rowley 33, Loungers 18

Team Rowley were missing some of their players for this match so had to reshuffle and bring in young Kirsty Uttley to assist on the wings. They seemed to settle first with their shots being converted by the shooting combination of Marie Clark (GA) and Dawn Manson (GS), while the defence of Maisie Unsworth (GD) and Anne Wood (GK) kept the Loungers shooters of Stella Oldbury (GA) and Claire Young (GS) on their toes. Team Rowley went into the first break with an 8-3 lead.

The second quarter was played at speed. Both sets of defence were making great interceptions and taking rebounds, allowing the centre court players of Team Rowley’s Kirsti Uttley, Karen Bannister and Morag Fox to link well up the court. Loungers’ shooters were more on target now but Team Rowley widened the gap to 18-9 at half-time.

Loungers made changes in the third quarter, bringing on Beth Leslie to GA, moving Stella to GS and switching about the defence to attempt to disrupt Team Rowley’s play. Team Rowley played calm and steady netball, undeterred when Victoria Duthie (GD) and Louise Moar (GK) picked up lobs into the Team Rowley circle, as they worked hard to regain the ball up the court and then converted. Team Rowley were leading 27-15 at the last break.

The last quarter saw Loungers change everyone around with the exception of Hazel Uren remaining at WA. They worked hard with Vicki Henderson now in at GD, Victoria Duthie at C and Claire back in to GS.

Rowley were well established and continued to flow well up the court. The defence of Unsworth and Wood didn’t allow the Loungers shooters to settle and worked tirelessly to pick up any loose balls.

The usual Loungers fired up play seemed only to smoulder but they did manage half points with the final score 33-18 to Team Rowley.

Players of the match were Hazel Uren for Loungers and Maisie Unsworth for Team Rowley.

AHS 25, Challengers 32

No match report was received.

Division Two

Da McEwans 51, Mishaps 51

This match started very evenly, with both teams taking time to settle. Mishaps settled first and shooters Leanne Tait and Gayle Henry began to find the net with every shot, ensuring them a one goal lead at the end of the quarter.

Da McEwans came out fighting in the second quarter, as Alison Williamson settled into C aided by Eileen Robertson at WA. They fed good balls in to shooters Joanne Stewart and Emily Henderson who were not missing a shot.

Mishaps upped their game in the third quarter, with good interceptions by Jennifer Manson and Kara Thomson breaking up Da McEwans play. At the other end Ann-Marie Goudie was supplying her shooters well, and despite the best efforts of Diane Leask and Shona Moncrieff, Mishaps regained their lead.

It was all to play for in the final quarter and play became scrappy by both teams as they pushed hard for the win. As the final whistle approached Mishaps had a narrow lead, but thanks to some timely interceptions by Gemma Manson and steady shooting by Da McEwans, the score was 51-51 when the final whistle blew.

An excellent close match, with both teams deservedly sharing the points at the final whistle.

Players of the match were Joanne Stewart for Da McEwans and Ann-Marie Goudie for Mishaps.

Hotfooters 33, Supernova 34

With several players unavailable for this fixture Hotfooters welcomed Alina Murray, Holly King and Sara Sandison into their line up with all three players making their debut at senior level.

Supernova got the better start as they took a three goal lead early on. Hotfooters clawed their way back to level at 5-5 before Nova opened up the lead once more to lead 8-5 at the end of the first period.

The game continued in a rather scrappy manner with both teams making many unforced errors – wayward passing in particular causing teams to lose possession. Hotfooters play was breaking down mainly in the mid-court with players going for the same pass and restricting space to open up the attack. The resulting turnovers put extra pressure on their defence.

Luckily for them Kim Johnson (GD) was up to the challenge and defended her goal in style and along with the help of Sara Sandison (GK) they helped Hotfooters stay in contention. It was 13-15 to Nova at half-time.

The third quarter began with goals being scored time about. Holly King’s (WA) speed around the court and work rate was particularly impressive. By midway into the quarter Nova began to gain advantage with the team focused and eliminating errors from their play. The experience of Liz Haining (GS) and Christine Jamieson (GA) meant shooting opportunities were taken and they increased their lead to 28-20 with 15 minutes to play.

It was a big ask of the junior team to get back into the match but they rose to the occasion and the spectators witnessed a fabulous final quarter as Hotfooters came out fighting and dominated the play. Anne Leask (C) now had a handle on the mid court and with Zoey Symington (GA) and Laura Cheyne (WA) working hard in the attack and Hannah Manson (WD) supporting, turnovers were made and goals began to come.

Midway into the quarter the score was 31-26 for Nova. The onslaught from Hotfooters continued and with a minute left on the clock they drew level at 33-33 and had the centre pass. A mistake gave possession back to Nova only for Symington to intercept making a quick pass to Murray (GS) who scored to give Hotfooters the lead for the first time in the match. Umpire Andrea Jeromson disallowed the goal as she had spotted an infringement with the interception and Nova calmly played the ball up court resulting in a well taken goal by Jamieson to secure the points in the final seconds. Congratulations to both teams for creating such an exciting competitive match.

Christine Jamieson (Supernova) and Kim Johnson (Hotfooters) were voted the players of the match.

Division Three

Tingwall 47, Dutch Courage 14

Dutch Courage won the toss to take the first centre pass of the game. Tingwall started the stronger team with good play by Rachel Young and Karla Stewart resulting in Tingwall taking an early lead.

Following Dutch Courage’s opening goal they began to link better as a team. Dutch Courage were having to work hard in their circle due to the great defence shown by Vivienne Wilson, Kayti Jeromson and Elaine Kirk. The first quarter ended 12-2 to Tingwall.

A few changes were made to Dutch Courage going into the second quarter – Kate Wills (C), Alison Anderson (GA) and Kate Smith (GK). Tingwall continued strongly with Donna Murray dictating play in the centre. Dutch Courage continued to work hard and fight for every ball with good defending by Kate Smith and Vaila Pearson. They slowed down the pace of their game resulting in more accurate passing.

Both teams had a complete re-shuffle at half time. This was Dutch Courage’s best quarter with well timed, unflustered passes and good shooting from Sara Cowie and Alison Anderson.

In the final quarter Tingwall found themselves two additional shooters – Vivienne Wilson and Elaine Kirk, scoring 13 goals between them! Both team fought hard right till the final whistle.

There were visible improvements in Dutch Courage’s team performance, showing great promise for the future.

Players of the match were Karla Stewart for Tingwall and Vaila Pearson for Dutch Courage.