Loungers secure netball’s first division title

Loungers made sure of the netball first division title with a 30-24 win over AHS last week, while Wastside defeated Supernova and Team Rowley got the points against AHS to secure second place. In the final second division match Ness beat Scalloway Juniors.

Division One

AHS 24, Loungers 30

Loungers began the strongest, settling quickly into their stride and demonstrating why they are top of the league with fast flowing passing up the court. Claire Young was particularly impressive at GS, taking her shots well and combining effectively with GA Ava Sim.

The AHS players were slightly disjointed in attack and failed to get into the game during the first quarter, Loungers racing to a 12-4 lead.

Changes to the AHS line up saw Inga Woods move to GA and Sophie May Leyland came on at C with Louise Birnie moving to GK. This had an immediate effect with AHS scoring the next four goals and their defence working hard to reduce Loungers’ scoring opportunities. Great fighting spirit shown by the junior team saw them reduce the deficit to 15-11 at half time.

Changes to Loungers saw Stella Oldbury move to GA and Ava Sim to GK. It was good tactics by coach Vicky Henderson as Oldbury’s presence and height in the circle saw them extend the lead once more, ending 23-16 in the third period.

The final period was played out with teams scoring goal for goal. This was an exciting match for the spectators with AHS finding form after a lacklustre first quarter performance and Loungers maintaining their 100 per cent winning record.

Players of the match were Claire Young for Loungers and Inga Woods for AHS.

Supernova 13, Wastside 36

This was the last match of the season for both teams, and while Supernova were pretty laid back Wastside were all geared up to win what has been, in the past, a close contest between the two.

The first quarter saw Wastside settle quickly and take an early lead thanks to great linking play down the court by Shona Keith and Mhari Moncrieff and in to Catherine Henry who swiftly converted them into goals, despite the determined efforts of defenders Katie Farnworth and Hannah Burgess.

However, Supernova fought back with a couple of cracking interceptions by Sarah Groat which were quickly passed in to Stephanie Keith and Marianne Williamson. The first quarter ended with Wastside in the lead at 7-9.

The next two quarters were disastrous for Supernova as they lost possession through random, and on occasion sloppy passing, only getting a limited number of chances to shoot. Wastside seized on this and stormed ahead, with the score 30-10 going into the final quarter.

The final quarter deteriorated into chaos when the Supernova players decided that they had nothing to lose and chose to swap positions, with defenders playing attack and vice versa.

It was a loud and unruly final 12 minutes with Hannah Burgess and Sarah Groat scoring some great long distance goals but it was too little too late and by now Wastside had the match in the bag.

The match was ably umpired by a rather shell-shocked Louise Moar and Andrea Tait, with players of the match being Catherine Henry for Wastside and Sarah Groat for Supernova.

Team Rowley v AHS

The final game of the season could not be played as AHS were unable to field a team so Team Rowley were awarded the points.

Division Two

Scalloway Juniors 20, Ness 26

The first quarter saw some great linking between Scalloway Juniors’ Rowan Nicolson and Leah Henry which enabled shooters Ava MacDonald and Julie Brown to help the Juniors gain a lead of 8-4.

Ness made some changes in the second quarter with Kirstin Sineath coming on. Ness were determined to fight back, and with great centre court play by Stephanie Adamson and great shooting from Elizabeth Williamson they took a 16-12 lead at half time.

The third quarter began with Ness making a few more changes with Megan Smith coming back on as centre and Sineath changing to goal shoot. Scalloway worked hard to try and gain back the lead, but tight defence from Vaila Irvine and Alice Smith meant Ness continued to lead the game at 22-15.

Williamson came back on as GS and Sineath switched back to WA for Ness. Megan Halcrow of the Scalloway Juniors continued to make some great interceptions at WD and with the help of Kirsty Duerden and Nicole Mouat, Scalloway Juniors were able to keep the pressure on Ness. Ness remained determined right up to the last whistle where the game finished 26-20 in their favour.

Players of the match were Rowan Nicolson for Scalloway Juniors and Elizabeth Williamson for Ness.