Wins for top netball teams Rowley and Loungers

Netball league leaders Team Rowley and Loungers both won in the first division at the weekend while Hotfooters were victorious in division two and Ness and Tingwall picked up wins in the third division.

Division One

Team Rowley 44, Whalsay 19

Although Whalsay were the first to score, Team Rowley quickly settled into their familiar attacking rhythm and notched up an early lead through shooters Lisa Morrison and Marie Clark.

Support in the form of Dawn Manson and Karen Bannister were alert and on hand to feed in a fast ball. Team Rowley maintained the early pressure and ended the first quarter 15-5 ahead.

The second quarter continued in much the same vein as the first. Many of the Whalsay attacks were broken down through close marking and quality interceptions from Rowley’s defence, particularly player of the match Maisie Unsworth. At the other end, Team Rowley’s shooters continued to pile on the pressure and at half time Rowley had stretched the lead to 29-9.

Both teams made positional changes within their teams at half time and Whalsay substitute Heather Williamson replaced Lynsey Pearson at WA. The dreaded third quarter “lurgie” hit both teams and there were a number of unforced errors and mistakes. “It wisna bonny,” commented one player.

Experience and youth prevailed, however, and both teams got their acts together and played some slick netball. Rowley continued to be the dominant force, winning the third quarter and going into the last 12 minutes with a lead of 38-15.

The fourth quarter threw up few surprises, other than youngster Kirsty Johnson making an appearance for Whalsay, to shoot alongside her mam. Her movement was accomplished and she out-maneuvered the Rowley defence on several occasions, creating opportunities to score.

Despite the injection of youth Whalsay were unable to impact on the teamwork and consistency of Team Rowley. The players worked hard and with supper time fast approaching, the final whistle was a welcome one.

Players of the match were Maisie Unsworth for Team Rowley and Louise Johnson for Whalsay.

Loungers 32, Kinetics 28

The game started at a fast pace with both teams fighting for the ball. Kinetics took the lead early in the quarter with good play in centre court from Fiona Shearer. Loungers had some excellent interceptions and managed to creep ahead with the quarter ending 8-6 to Loungers.

The second quarter saw Kinetics tighten up their game but the quarter continued to be goal for goal. Kirsti Leask for Kinetics worked tirelessly up court and in the shooting circle with great movement and accurate shooting resulting in Kinetics taking the lead with the half time score being 15-13.

Going into the third quarter Loungers marked tight with strong play in the centre court from Beth Leslie and Vicki Henderson. Continued fast balls in to Loungers shooting duo Claire Young and Stella Oldbury were forcing Kinetics defenders Vaila Hough and Andrea Tait to remain focused and work hard but it was Loungers that edged ahead. The quarter ended 23-22.

It was all to play for in the last quarter but Loungers managed to stay cool under pressure. The defence of Jennifer Thomson and Victoria Duthie made some vital interceptions that were converted to goals, resulting in Loungers taking the lead.

Players of the match were Kirsti Leask for Kinetics and Victoria Duthie for Loungers.

Division Two

Unst v Da McEwans

The game was cancelled as the Unst team were unable to make it due to the ferry being broken down. It will be rescheduled at a later date.

Hotfooters 51, Supernova 29

A blistering opening five minutes for Hotfooters saw Anne Leask, Laura Cheyne and Hannah Manson taking charge in the mid-court, winning the ball and expertly feeding their shooters to race to an 8-1 lead.

Credit to Nova who had to fight to get into the game and once they began to hold possession at their centres, goals were scored. The score was 16-7 to Hotfooters at the end of the first quarter.

Hotfooters continued to play tidy netball in the second period. Their movement and awareness on court created space and with great passing from defence to attack it was difficult for Nova to break down the play. The lead increased to 29-12 at half-time.

Nova began to find form in the third period with Kristen Robertson and Marianne Williamson linking well to feed the ball to Liz Haining. It was 41-19 to Hotfooters, however, going into the last spell of action.

The last quarter was evenly matched and competitive with experience and strength on show from Nova while Hotfooters experimented with different playing combinations. Ten goals apiece were scored.

Hannah Manson and Kristen Robertson were awarded the players of the match.

Division Three

Ness 29, Atomic Force 18

Ness took the first centre and after two minutes Atomic Force were the first to score. It was another couple of minutes before they scored again.

Ness took a while to settle and sloppy passing let them down in the first half of the quarter. Atomic Force played quickly with tight passing from centre Kirsty Uttley. Some good shooting from Elizabeth Williamson in the second half of the quarter picked things up for Ness. Play was even towards the end and the quarter ended 6-6.

In the second quarter play started quickly and continued to be fast throughout, almost frantic at times, with both teams determined to take the lead. Kirsty Uttley showed great movement around the circle, passing accurately in to the shooters. At the other end of the court lovely movement and passing from Clare Farmer fed Caroline Wood who was shooting well despite strong defending, especially on rebounds, by Kaylee Mouat. The quarter ended with Ness leading 11-9.

Ness started again with some very fast play and everyone working hard. Maya Whittall and Clare Farmer linked well to feed the ball in to shooters Elizabeth Williamson and Caroline Wood who were on fire, showing confident shooting and movement in the circle.

Atomic Force, led by Kirsty Uttley, continued to press but tight defending and strong interceptions, particularly from Ashley Young, ensured Ness a lead of 20-10 going in to the final quarter.

Atomic Force started the fourth quarter strongly, scoring quickly from the centre. Kirsty Uttley continued to read the game well, making good passes in to the circle, linking well with Claire Johnston who hardly missed a shot.

There was some great defending by Ruth Christie and Ness continued to mark tightly, picking up any rebounds and loose balls and interceptions were made by Claire Adamson. Caroline Wood continued to shoot well during this quarter with end-to end-play throughout. It was a much more even quarter with Ness scoring nine to Atomic Force’s eight.

Players of the match were Kirsty Uttley for Atomic Force for her ability to read the game and quick movement and passing around the circle and Caroline Wood for Ness for her movement in the circle and fantastic long shots.

Tingwall 33, Da Hooligans 28

The first quarter started with end-to-end play with good interceptions from both teams in the centre court. Da Hooligans’ Karis Irvine performed some good linking passes to Holly Jamieson and shooters Valerie Sales and Rhea Kay rarely missed an opportunity to score. Tingwall did not let this faze them, however, and kept the score to 8-4.

Changes was made to both teams and the second quarter saw them working tirelessly for possession. Da Hooligans defenders Abbey Irvine and Nicola Polson fought strongly and made vital interceptions, leading to the ball being passed back up court. However, Tingwall battled continuously thoughout which resulted in a catch up of scores, ending the second quarter at 15-14 to Da Hooligans.

More changes were made to both teams and the third quarter saw Da Hooligans’ Anne Irvine making some excellent interceptions, breaking up play and keeping the score even. Tingwall’s Andrea Jeromson did not miss a shot which kept the score close at 25-24 for Da Hooligans.

In the fourth quarter both teams came out determined to get the lead. Da Hooligans’ Mairi Polson put up a good fight to get possession of the ball and shoot at any opportunity. Tingwall shooters Andrea and Carla Hunter rarely missed a shot though which led to their team finishing five goals ahead.

Players of the match were Andrea Jeromson for Tingwall and Valerie Sales and Karis Irvine for Da Hooligans.