Da McEwans edge hard-fought netball win over Da Hooligans

In the battle of “Da” teams McEwans narrowly defeated Hooligans in division two of the netball leagues while Wastside came out on top against Mishaps. The third division saw a comfortable win for Arctic Security against struggling Dutch Courage.
Division Two

Da Hooligans 42, Da McEwans 44

The first quarter started with strong end-to-end play with good interceptions from both teams in the centre court. Da Hooligans centre Karis Irvine performed some good linking passes to Holly Jamieson which led to shooters Valerie Sales and Rhea Kay rarely missing an opportunity to score.

McEwans defenders Diane Leask and Marie Irvine worked hard to get the ball from Da Hooligans to Gemma Manson and Maggie Irvine who played accurate passes to their shooters. The first quarter ended level at 10-10.

The second quarter saw more end-to-end play with both teams working tirelessly for possession. Da Hooligans defenders Lara Kay and Nicola Polson fought strongly and made vital interceptions leading the ball being passed back up court. However, Da McEwans battled continuously thoughout the quarter, which ended at 23-19 in Da Hooligans’ favour.

Da McEwans upped their game in the third quarter, pressuring Da Hooligan to fight harder for every ball, closing the gap and ending the quarter at 31-29 to Da Hooligans.

In the fourth quarter both teams came out fighting determined to get the lead. Da McEwans shooters Alison Williamson and Sonya shearer did not miss a shot. Their tireless work gave them the edge as they took the lead. Da Hooligans defenders Lara Kay and Mairi Polson continued to put pressure on the McEwans shooters but this did not deter them as the fourth quarter ended with McEwans two goals ahead.

Players of the match were Rhea Kay for Da Hooligans and Sonya Shearer for Da McEwans.

Mishaps 25, Wastside 41

Mishaps met Wastside for the second time at Clickmin. Mishaps got first centre pass but it did not take long for Wastside to take the lead. Although the first quarter was quite even play Wastside managed to lead by two goals as the quarter finished 10-8.

Wastside played very well in the second quarter with centre Lindsay Morrison playing fantastically and linking really well into the shooting duo of Catherine Henry and Mhari Moncrieff who were on target. Wastside pulled ahead to 23-14.

Mishaps tried hard in the third quarter with Leane Tait and Ann-Marie Goudie trying to win every ball and Kara Thomson and Emma Inkster at the other end getting interceptions and going for every rebound. Goalkeeper Louise Morrison of Wastside had an excellent game and managed to move the ball back up to Wastside’s attacking half. Wastside kept the lead at 33-19.

Mishaps continued fighting to try and atch Wastside but the gap was too big. Wastside had some good play and deserved the win.

Players of the match were the Morrison sisters Louise and Lindsay for Wastside and shooter Leane Tait for Mishaps.

Division Three

Dutch Courage 8, Arctic Security 43

The match began evenly with both teams fighting for the ball. Arctic Security settled quickly after the first five minutes but the Dutch Courage defence of Jamie Cowie and Sarah Black worked well, picking up any missed chances and feeding the ball back up the court.

However, Arctic Security’s accurate passing and good interceptions from Sarah Kay and Wilma Polson ensured them a 12-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Dutch Courage slowed down their passing and on the rare chances they had, good linking between Kate Wills, Nadine Tait, Alison Anderson and Kathleen Smith allowed for Kathleen to make a few excellent shots straight into the net from a distance, despite her being closely marked by Kristen Johnston.

Arctic Security’s Wilma Polson worked tirelessly at centre to push the ball up to shooters Julie Brown and Paula Sinclair, who barely missed a shot. Arctic Security had doubled their score to 24 to Dutch Courage’s five at half time.

Both teams made a couple of straight swaps in the third quarter. Jamie Cowie fell into her new position of GD very quickly and moved about the court to help get the ball up to the shooters, with Kate Wills and Laura Farquhar working hard also.

Arctic Security were that bit stronger and played well with lots of good movement and thought-out passes between them. Good passing into the shooting circle from Heather Henry and Wilma Polson allowed them to storm ahead with the quarter ending 40-7 to Arctic Security.

Arctic Security had almost a complete reshuffle for the final quarter. Heather Henry made some great interceptions in her new role of GD and Sarah Kay slipped right into GA, shooting well. Unfortunately Kristen Johnston injured her ankle badly just five minutes into the quarter and it was decided to abandon play.

Players of the match were Kate Wills and Jamie Cowie for Dutch Courage and Kristen Johnston for Arctic Security.

See The Shetland Times on Friday for league tables.