Kinetics stride ahead in netball league while Hotfooters secure third division title

Kinetics moved three points clear in the first division of the netball leagues after an emphatic win last week over Wastside. Challengers were equally impressive in defeating Da McEwans in division two while in the third division Hotfooters secured the title with a close victory over Ness.

Division One

Kinetics 54, Wastside 28

This was a rescheduled match for Wastside, as the team had missed a few of their recent fixtures due to the snowy weather. Kinetics quickly eased into the match and took advantage of Wastside missing a player in the first quarter. Good play from Sarah Grogan and Chole Miller in the shooting circle saw the first half ending 17-3 comfortably in Kinetics’ favour.

In the second half Wastside gained composure and another player. The young lasses stood out, working hard for their team. Mhari Moncrieff and Lindsey Morrison were both effective in allowing Wastside shooters Sarah Young and Dawn Nicolson to add to their tally. Kinetics were also shooting well with a combination of Vaila Williamson and Chloe Miller. This quarter ended with Kinetics leading 31-15.

The third quarter saw Kinetics make some changes. Kirsty Leask replaced Fiona Grant as centre and Cheryl Fraser moved to goalkeeper. Cheryl Fraser worked well with Ingrid Nicol at GD but as play switched to the other half, Susan Morrison and Erin Morrison were also making it difficult for Kinetics shooters, defending well for Wastside, and catching any of the rebounds. Kinetics increased their lead marginally in this quarter to 38-20.

In the final quarter, Kirsty Leask was connecting well with Louise Fraser and Sarah Grogan for the centre passes. Chloe Miller scored some exceptional shots from the edges of the circle and seemed to do so coolly. Kinetics were soon adding to their points and despite Wastside’s continued efforts, they could not prevent them winning.

Players of the match were Lindsey Morrison and Sarah Young for Wastside and Chloe Miller for Kinetics.

Division Two

Supernova v Unst

Supernova could not field a team so points were forfeited.

Challengers 62, Da McEwans 28

Da McEwans were missing six of their regular players and had to call Valerie Sandison, Beth Eunson and Caroline Shearer out of retirement to ensure that they had a full team to face the Challengers.

The Challengers started very strongly, leading 14-5 at the end of the first quarter. Despite the best efforts of Da McEwans, the Challengers were just too strong and went on to win convincingly.

Challengers v Da McEwans

No report was submitted.

Division Three

Hootfooters 33, Ness 22

Hotfooters took to the court knowing that a win would clinch the third division title. Standing in their way was a determined Ness team made up of a mixture of senior and junior players.

It was a nervy start for both sides with passes going astray and shots missing the target. The latter stages of the quarter saw centre court players Megan Smith for Ness and Jenny Anderson for Hotfooters working well to link attack and defence helping both teams to settle into their game. Hotfooters edged ahead by one goal at 6-5.

Hotfooters brought on Hayley Tulloch at GA with Sonja Jamieson coming on at WA for Ness. Tulloch immediately had an impact and with shooting partner Liza Fullerton, their decisive movement in the circle caused problems for the Ness defence quickly increasing their lead to four goals.

Ness, however, dug deep with defenders Ailish Parham and Ruth Christie taking several rebounds to gain possession and with Caroline Wood finding form with some spectacular long range shooting, Ness stopped the Hotfooters gaining more of a lead but the half-time score stood at 16-10.

As Hotfooters tried to finish off the game they were at times over eager with their passing, rushing the feed into the shooters and losing possession. Megan Smith’s fitness and speed around the court helped Ness in the attack and with Kirsten Sineath now shooting with Wood they held their own matching the Hotfooters all the way.

Hannah Manson played a steadying role for Hotfooters in the final quarter, intelligently slowing down the game and making sure they kept possession and as a result they increased their lead.

The final score of 33-22 saw a delighted Hotfooters team secure the third division title. With eight out of their 10 players still playing in the under-15 league this has been a fantastic season – their first playing at senior level – and they now move up to play in the second division.

Players of the match were Hayley Tulloch for Hotfooters and Megan Smith for Ness.

Scallywags 26, Tingwall 34

Scallywags were delighted to see Cyndi Pottinger return for her first game of the season. Tingwall won the first centre pass and settled into this quarter very quickly. Scallywags had to work extra hard as they were only able to field six players until Gwen Malcolmson came on as WD. It was Tingwall who were the stronger of the teams and went into the second quarter leading 10-6.

The second quarter saw both teams make changes in their line up with Carla Hunter moving to WD and Gwen Malcolmson to centre. Tingwall saw Jennifer Wadley come on as WA and Wilma Poleson move to WD.  With this quarter under way both teams were making use of the full court with great, accurate passing. Scallywags were still a bit rattled from the first quarter and were not quite settled into the game.

Tingwall’s Paula Sinclair and Jennifer Wadley were linking up well with great passing in to their shooters Karla Stewart and Zoey Symington who were finding the net which saw Scallywags sisters Naomi Johnson and Nicola Smith working tirelessly to keep them from scoring.

The Tingwall defence of Anne Bennett and Kim Johnson also had to work hard to keep Scallywags’ Anne-Marie Robinson and Cyndi Pottinger from scoring. As the whistle went for half-time Tingwall were ahead at 15-11.

With the third quarter under way both teams were now settled and fighting for every ball. Tingwall’s Wadley and Anderson were linking well in the centre court to feed the ball through to Sinclair and Symington who were making Scallywags’ Johnson and Smith work very hard to get the rebounds back up the court to their shooters. As this quarter drew to a close it was Tingwall who were leading 24-20.

Scallywags now had everything to play for but it was Tingwall who proved to be the stronger side with great passing through their centre mid-court into their shooters who were finding the net on all occasions.  Scallywags never gave up and were fighting for every pass with great play between Malcolmson and Henderson into Robinson and Pottinger. As the final whistle signalled the end of the game it was Tingwall who came out winners at 34-26.

Players of the match were Tingwall’s Symington and Sinclair and Scallywags’ Robinson and Johnson.

Scalloway Juniors v Hooligans

Scalloway Juniors could not field a team so points were forfeited.