Single goal separates Kinetics and Whalsay as netball leagues resume

The netball leagues started up again with the closest of victories for Kinetics over the newly-named Whalsay team in division one while Team Rowley and AHS were also winners. The second division saw wins for Da McEwans and Hotfooters and Atomic Force got off to a good start in division three.

Division One

Kinetics 31, Whalsay 30

The first game for the newly named Whalsay team against Kinetics started with some fast-paced play. Vaila Kay, GS for Whalsay, demonstrated accurate shooting but Kinetics pulled ahead by five at the start of the match.

Kinetics GD Josie Nisbet worked tirelessly to try to stop the Whalsay attack, gaining high passes in the circle and getting a few tips and interceptions, but the first quarter finished 10-5 in Whalsay’s favour.

The second quarter got off to a fast start after changes in the Kinetics team, Andrea Tait moving out of position into centre court. Whalsay still displayed excellent linking play in the mid-court by Lynsey Irvine and Catherine Williamson. The Kinetics defence gained some good rebounds in the Whalsay circle, converting them into goals. This closed the gap to 15-13 to Whalsay at half-time.

The third quarter saw Kirsti Leask of Kinetics come on at GS and Vaila Kay and Louise Johnson switching in the Whalsay circle. Both teams worked tirelessly to intercept the ball and pull ahead. Each team had settled into their game, with strong accurate passing and shooting, but neither was able to dominate play. Kinetics centre Andrea Tait intercepted a pass which allowed Kinetics to close the gap to just one goal going into the last quarter, 22-21 to Whalsay.

In the final quarter both teams had everything to play for. Kinetics fought hard to get a valuable interception to gain the lead. Whalsay were working well up and down the court with some slick passing and accurate shooting. With some good support up the court from Cheryl Simpson at WD, Kinetics settled and kept possession. The hard work paid off and Kinetics won by a single goal.

Overall, Whalsay dominated play, making few mistakes and linking well together, while the hard work put in by Kinetics paid off in the end.

Players of the match were Debbie Smith for Kinetics and Natalie Polson for Whalsay.

Team Rowley 26, Loungers 23

Loungers had Sophie May Leyland (GK) and Inga Woods (GA) home from university and Team Rowley had Kylie Wood (WA) and Sanna Aitken, so both teams had additions to help strengthen their regular squads.

The game got off to a quick start in what was to be a very fast-paced, low-scoring game. Sophie May was putting pressure on Rowley GS Lisa Morrison, but this did not prevent her accurate shooting and Rowley pulled ahead slightly in the first quarter at 7-4.

Loungers made a few changes in the second quarter. Sophie May moved to centre, Vicki Henderson to GD and Louise Moar to GK. Rowley kept the same team as the first quarter.
Brenda Leask and Maisie Unsworth were working well in the centre third for Rowley, making interceptions and linking well with Karen Bannister, Mo Fox and Kylie Wood to get the ball up to the shooters, allowing Rowley to slightly increase their lead to 14-9.

Half time saw Sanna Aitken come on to WD for Team Rowley. Sophie May was working hard at centre, getting interceptions and spurring on her team. Inga Woods’ shooting stepped up a notch this quarter and she barely missed a shot.

The Loungers defence were working hard in the Rowley circle, double marking and making it more difficult for Kylie Wood and Karen Bannister to get the ball to Lisa Morrison. This was Loungers’ best quarter – they scored 10 goals to Rowley’s five and pulled the score back to 19-19 going into the final quarter.

Both teams had everything to play for in the last quarter. Loungers and Team Rowley were trying hard not to make any unforced errors and to try and pressurise their opposition into making a mistake.

At the start of the quarter both teams managed to hold onto their own centre pass and the score went to 23-23. Rowley defenders Maisie Unsworth and Brenda Leask were working tirelessly in defence and managed to keep calm and pick up some vital interceptions which Rowley converted, taking the final score to 26-23 in their favour.

Players of the match were Karen Bannister for Team Rowley and Inga Woods for Loungers.

Wastside 20, AHS 31

Both teams started off at a fast pace trying to make any interception to get the lead. AHS attackers Louise Jamieson and Liza Fullerton worked well in the circle and with accurate shooting scored goals for their team.

At the other end of the court Wastside worked well around the circle, making strong passes in to shooters Mhari Moncrieff and Catherine Henry who quickly converted them into goals.
The second quarter saw Lynsey Morrison of Wastside make several vital interceptions for her team which she helped to carry up the court and shorten the gap between the scores.

However, controlled and accurate passing from Claire Morris ensured that AHS maintained their lead.

Both teams came on with a fighting spirit in the third quarter. Wastside’s mid-court worked well together to pass the ball up the court to their shooters. However, good team work and tactical play from the AHS defence made this difficult for them and AHS widened the gap further into the last quarter.

Both teams made some changes in the fourth quarter and the competitive play continued. Ann-Marie made interceptions for her team which were quickly and smoothly carried down the court to the shooters.

The Morrison sisters worked well in the circle for Wastside making it difficult to work the ball in. However, AHS managed to keep their lead intact.

Players of the match were Claire Morris for AHS and Lynsey Morrison for Wastside.

Division Two

Da McEwans 46, Mishaps 38

Da McEwans only had four members of their team available for the match so they were very grateful to Shelley Sandison, Anne Williamson and Zoe Irvine for stepping in and playing, ensuring the game could go ahead.

Both teams started slowly and took time to settle but Da McEwans held a five-goal lead at the end of the quarter. They continued to dominate in the second quarter, with shooters Joanne Stewart and Sonya Shearer rarely missing, and Shelley and Emily Henderson defending well at the other end, ensuring a lead of 25-17 at half-time.

Mishaps fought back in the third quarter, however, as Kara Thomson and Emma Inkster got their hands to a lot of interceptions and rebounds in the defending circle which were then worked up the court and converted into goals by Leanne Tait and Ann-Marie Goudie.

It was all to play for in the last quarter, but Da McEwans just had the edge as Anne, Zoe and Diane Leask dominated in the middle third and provided strong play up to their shooters.

Players of the match were Anne Williamson for Da McEwans and Leanne Tait for Mishaps.

Unst 19, Hotfooters 32

With the first game of the New Year under way it was clear that it was going to be fast and furious with plenty of end-to-end play. The young Hotfooters team were quick off the mark and really came out on court with a bang. Superb shooting from Zoe Symington in the Hotfooters circle meant they took the lead at the end of the quarter at 8-2.

The Unst team had a lot to do to make up the six goals but their defence worked tirelessly, contesting for every ball and winning some great interceptions. Martha Clark and Andrea Laurenson were making life hard for the Hotfooters shooters but they were still coming up with the goals. The second quarter ended 17-10 to Hotfooters.

The fast pace continued and both teams were determined to take advantage of any loose balls in the middle of the court. Jenny Anderson at centre for Hotfooters was doing an excellent job of moving the ball quickly down the court and linking well with her attack as they continued to expand their lead at 25-15.

Going into the final quarter Unst continued to work hard, putting pressure on every ball and trying to force a loose pass from Hotfooters. The Unst attack were finding it hard to get that last ball into the circle and good rebounding from Ailidh Risk picked up any missed attempts at goal.

It was a quick and competitive game from the start with both teams working hard throughout. Players of the match were Martha Clark for Unst and Jenny Anderson for Hotfooters.

Division Three

Dutch Courage 13, Atomic Force 29

The match started off quite evenly with end-to-end play but it was Atomic Force who settled into their stride first with good movement in centre court from Kirsty Uttley and Jade Stevenson.

Jodi Clark and Vaila Pearson made some good interceptions in order to turn play around for Dutch Courage, who were unlucky not to convert any of their shots into goals as they were closely marked by duo Nicole and Kaylee Mouat. The quarter ended 7-0 to Atomic Force.

Dutch Courage entered the second quarter ready to bounce back. The pace of the game picked up considerably and both teams worked tirelessly to feed the ball into their circle. Alison Anderson and Kathleen Smith barely missed a shot, as was the story for Atomic Force shooters Aleisha Devine and Julie Raeside. Play remained extremely even throughout and the half-time whistle blew at 14-6 to Atomic Force.

There were a few changes to Dutch Courage’s line-up in the third quarter while Atomic Force remained much the same. Jamie Cowie and Kate Wills worked hard in defence for Dutch Courage to try and pick up any rebounds but good movement and accurate shooting from Aleisha Devine allowed them few opportunities to do so. Atomic Force seemed determined to extend their lead and they managed to do just that with the quarter ending 23-9 in their favour.

Both teams came into the final quarter prepared to give it their all with lots of fast paced movement and passing, almost mirroring the second quarter.

Atomic Force’s Nicole Mouat made some fantastic interceptions at crucial times in her role as GK. The game looked like it was going to end with Dutch Courage coming out with half points but Atomic Force never gave up the fight and managed another three goals in the last few minutes.

Players of the match were Kate Wills for Dutch Courage and Kirsty Uttley for Atomic Force.