Loungers and Kinetics chase netball leaders Rowley hard

Loungers and Kinetics maintained their challenge on Team Rowley at the top of the netball first division with victories while Hotfooters picked up full points in division two and Arctic Security and Scallywags did likewise in the third division.

Division One

Loungers 40, AHS 17

Loungers won the centre and settled quickly with accurate shooting from Claire Young and Stella Oldbury giving them a lead of 10-5 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was played at speed with the Loungers defence of Jennifer Thomson and Victoria Duthie making great interceptions and taking rebounds. The mid-court players also made some great interceptions of loose balls from AHS, which were converted to goals. The half time score was 19-8.

Both teams made changes in the third quarter but Loungers still continued with tight defending, interceptions and great play up court from Diane Thomson, Hazel Uren and Vicki Henderson which widened the gap to 29-10.

AHS had a more settled last quarter with lovely movement in the circle and accurate shooting from Liza Fullerton. Loungers continued to pull ahead with all interceptions being converted into goals.

Players of the match were Hazel Uren (Loungers) and Liza Fullerton (AHS).

Unst 27, Kinetics 34

The match began evenly with both teams seeming to settle quickly into their playing styles. The ball travelled swiftly from one shooting circle to the other as any missed chances were pounced on. Andrea Tait and Kirsti Leask for Kinetics linked up well from opposite ends of the court but Unst battled hard and converted most of their chances, ending the quarter one goal in the lead at 9-8.

The second quarter saw Kinetics swap their shooters Debbie Smith and Kirsti Leask. The height advantage in the circle seemed to work in their favour and Kinetics quickly regained the lead. Unst continued to fight with some good interceptions from defenders Janet Abernethy and Martha Moar. Unfortunately for Unst the chances were not always converted and Kinetics took a deserved lead, the half time score being 18-13.

The second half saw Unst regain some composure and their defence start to get involved in helping the ball up the court. Some great feeding by Julie Munro and Amber Inkster in to Emma Niven in the shooting circle brought them back into the game. Kinetics’ quick, accurate passing through the middle of the court from Louise Fraser and precise shooting from Chloe Millar meant they extended their lead by two goals, the quarter ending 26-19.

There was still everything to play for in the last quarter and the teams were evenly matched. Every centre pass was contested for, right to the final whistle. The Kinetics and Unst defence made the shooters work hard and chances were missed at both ends of the court. The quarter saw eight goals apiece.

Players of the match were Emma Niven for Unst and Kirsti Leask for Kinetics.

Challengers v Team Rowley

Challengers were unable to field a team therefore Team Rowley were awarded full points.

Division Two

Da McEwans 38, Hotfooters 48

Da McEwans started the best with strong passes from Maggie Kay and Eileen Robertson into shooters Joanne Stewart and Sonya Shearer ensuring a two-goal lead at the end of the quarter.
Hotfooters came more into the game in the second quarter as the defence of Kaylee Mouat, Ailidh Risk and Hannah Manson began to mark their players more closely and make some crucial interceptions. The score was 17-17 at the end of the quarter.

The third quarter remained close with end-to-end play and most of the goals going in against the centre passes. Jenny Anderson and Anne Leask of Hotfooters were playing strongly in the centre court and Da McEwans defenders Diane Leask and Emily Shearer were working hard to hold back the Hotfooters attack.

It was all to play for in the last quarter and the Hotfooters began to find another gear as Zoey Symington and Megan Petturson began to find the net with every shot. Da McEwans were unfortunate to lose Sonya to injury and Hotfooters capitalized on the shake-up and raced into a lead that Da McEwans just could not catch.

Players of the match were Sonya Shearer for Da McEwans and Megan Petturson for Hotfooters.

Division Three

Ness 22, Arctic Security 27

Arctic Security started stronger with great shooting from Heather Henry and Julie Brown, going a few goals ahead. Ness soon settled with strong defence from Ailish Parham and Ruth Christie. As the whistle blew at the end of the first quarter the score was 7-7.

At the start of the second quarter both teams started making scrappy mistakes, allowing for a lot of interceptions. Arctic Security GD Sarah Kay made it hard for Ness shooters Elizabeth Williamson and Caroline Wood by making some fantastic interceptions.

Ness fought back with Ruth Christie getting all the rebounds at the other end and successfully feeding the ball back up the court, with good passing into the shooting circle from Clare Farmer and Maya Whittall. The second quarter ended 12-11 to Ness.

Arctic Security made some changes in the third quarter, which resulted in great centre court play with, fast accurate passes from Val Morrison and Wilma Poleson. Ness shooters Elizabeth Williamson and Caroline Wood moved well in their circle with most of their shots on target, but any missed were soon picked up from Kristen Johnston. Arctic Security were leading 19-18 at the last break.

It was all to play for in the final quarter with both teams determined to give it their all. Unfortunately for Ness, Clare Farmer had to switch out with a back injury. Arctic Security defenders Kristin Johnston and Sarah Kay were working well together, retrieving all the rebounds and feeding the ball back up the court where shooter Julie Brown converted these into goals. As the final whistle went it was Arctic Security who came out on top.

The Arctic Security defence made it very difficult for the Ness shooters but Julie Brown stood out for her accurate shooting and great movement in the circle. Clare Farmer played great passes into her shooters and found excellent spaces in the centre third, earning her player of the match for Ness.

Tingwall 34, Scallywags 37

The game started at a very fast pace as both teams fought tirelessly for the ball. End-to-end play from both sides saw the score stay really tight throughout the first quarter. Anne Bennett and Elaine Kirk defended really well in the Scallywags circle, making shooting difficult for Cindi Pottinger and Anne-Marie Robinson.

Likewise in the Tingwall circle, Naomi Johnson and Debbie Morgan made Kayti Jeromson and Carla Stewart work hard to get themselves into a good position to make a shot. The first quarter finished with one goal separating the two teams, 8-7 in Tingwall’s favour.

Both teams stepped on to court determined to outplay the other team as the second quarter got under way.   Tingwall’s Nicola Duthie made some excellent linking play with Donna Murray and Joanne Anderson. This moved the run of play more in Tingwalls favour. Both Jermson and Stewart making some excellent shots and allowing Tingwall to take the lead.

Undeterred by Tingwalls attack, Scallywags began to put on the pressure with some great linking play through Gwen Malcomson, Joy Duncan and Robinson. The second quarter finished with Tingwall inching ahead at 18-15.

The third quarter saw Scallywags take more control. Excellent shooting from Pottinger ensured there were very few balls to be rebounded for the Tingwall defence. Tingwall continued to battle hard but were unfortunate on several occasions when they lost possession, enabling Scallywags to take full advantage of their mistakes. Scallywags’ excellent shooting force saw them take a three-goal lead at 26-23 as the third quarter drew to a close.

The final quarter started as it had in the first with everyone working really hard and the play moving quickly from end to end. Great defending and shooting from both sides kept the score line really tight but it was Scallywags who walked away victorious.

Players of the match were Nicola Duthie for Tingwall and Gwen Malcomson for Scallywags for their tireless running and good linking play.