Kinetics lead the charge in netball’s top flight

There were wins for Kinetics and Whalsay in netball’s top flight, while Supernova and Wastside triumphed in division two. Meanwhile in the third division Burra and Da Hooligans notched up narrow victories.

Division one

Team Rowley 32, Kinetics 48

Both teams took to the court with changed line-ups from their previous meeting. Play took a while to settle, with both sides getting used to the smaller Scalloway court. There were many misplaced passes and the game was a little frantic. Play remained relatively even at this point, with the quarter closing at 8-7 in Kinetics’ favour.

Kinetics returned to court calmer and keener to increase the goal tally. As Sarah Grogan (GA) and Kirsti Leask (GS) found their form, the TR defenders were finding them difficult to mark and interceptions difficult. Kinetics introduced youngsters Ann-Marie Kennerly (WA) and Claire Morris (WD), who stood their ground well, and were ably supported up and down the court by Fiona Shearer at centre. With more speed injected into the game, Kinetics managed to stretch their lead to 23-15 by half time.

TR introduced the experience of Julie Kirkness (WA) at this point, keen to squeeze the gap on Kinetics. Andrea Tait (GD) made some timely interceptions to thwart many goal bound passes from TR’s Karen MacKay (C). However, Suzanne Fox (GS) was beginning to find her form, and was forced to net her shots from afar, as Kinetics’ Lesley Spence (GK) was closely marking her. Kinetics were continuing their fine form, and with minimal mistakes they stretched their lead to 37-15.

Going into the last quarter, TR played their best netball. Fiona Dally (GK) and Brenda Leask (GD) were now defending much tighter with Morag Fox (WD) calming down their fraught attack. Fox (GS) was on fire now, as she gained 100 per cent shooting success in the last 12 minutes. However, it appeared too little too late as they had such a long way to catch up.

Spence and Tait worked hard in defence for Kinetics, with strong support from Amber Inkster (WD). Keen to maintain possession, Shearer (C) and Kennerly (WA) worked tirelessly in mid-court for Kinetics, ensuring their final passes into their shooting duo were strong and accurate. Grogan and Leask managed to net a further 15 goals to seal the match for Kinetics 48-32.

Players of the match for both teams were awarded to their goal shooters, for shooting under pressure accurately, Suzanne Fox (Team Rowley) and Kirsti Leask (Kinetics).

Loungers 26, Whalsay 31

Loungers settled quickly with good linking play. Close marking enabled them to steal a couple of Whalsay’s centres to go ahead 7-5 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw end-to-end play, Loungers shooters Ava Sim and Stella Oldbury coping well and increasing the goal tally despite tight defending from Sarah Kay and Janet Abernethy. Whalsay’s Vaila Kay and June Williamson were making Loungers defenders Louise Moar and Jennifer Thomson work hard to defend their post. The quarter ended 17-13 to Loungers.

Whalsay made some tactical changes at half time moving Catherine Williamson to centre and Victoria Duthie to defence, which had an impact on the game. The quarter was low scoring with many mid-court interceptions; both sets of defences worked hard and were well supported by their teams. This quarter ended 22-19 to Loungers.

In the last quarter Whalsay came out fighting, which paid off. Their tight defence forced the Loungers shooters to work hard, and they were well supported around the circle by Vicki Henderson and Hazel Uren. Whalsay were on form with Vaila Kay slotting home the goals from all over the circle despite the efforts of the Loungers defence. Whalsay clinched the game 31-26.

Players of the match were Catherine Williamson for Whalsay and Hazel Uren for Loungers.

For second and third division reports plus all fixtures and league tables, see this week’s Shetland Times.