Loughborough’s TFC knew this week’s match against Lincoln City 1 needed to be a good one to raise the spirits of the squad and officials after last week’s game. Although still unbeaten, TFC had hoped to go through the whole season with a one hundred per cent points score so that they could win the league and go into the National Play Offs full of confidence.
The first team squad was back in full force this week, providing Coach Kate with a variety of options to start the game as well as for any changes needed as the match progressed. The first seven in the starting blocks were Sara Bostock at Goal Shooter (GS), Abi Wilcockson at Goal Attack (GA), Kirsten Gibson at Wing Attack (WA), Terri Graham at Centre (C), Rachel Robertson at Wing Defence (WD), Jess Hartland at Goal Defence (GD) and Captain, Mel Croxall at Goal Keeper (GK). The first quarter saw TFC storm ahead as Hartland, Robertson and Croxall produced a solid line in defence and helped the ball flow freely through the attack. Bostock was able to find the net from all over the circle and TFC won the first quarter by 15 goals to 6. Lincoln City 1 upped their game in the second quarter and produced some fantastic attacking moves down court, which TFC were unable to respond to at times. However some tireless defensive work, interceptions and tips from Hartland and Robertson alongside some consistent attacking play from Graham, Gibson and Wilcockson ensured that TFC were able to retain their lead, winning the second quarter 12 goals to 7. Coach Kate decided to make some changes for the third quarter with Georgina Kate replacing Graham at Centre (C), Connolly substituting Bostock at Goal Shooter (GS) and Georgia Swan coming on for Robertson at Wing Defence (WD). TFC’s new-look-team took a while to settle and although they managed to maintain their lead, it had been cut into slightly, with TFC losing the quarter by 11 goals to 12. TFC made further changes for the final quarter. Georgina Kate moved to Wing Attack (WA), with Swan taking over at Centre (C) and Bostock came on at Goal Attack (GA) for Wilcockson. This time TFC were able to settle much sooner and pulled away again in the final fifteen minutes through some inspirational defence from Hartland and Swan and some outstanding shooting from Connolly from all over the circle. TFC won the final quarter 17 goals to 9, with the final score ending, TFC 55 – 34 Lincoln City 1. The score line was the result of a real squad effort by TFC, who remain at the top of the East Midlands Netball Regional League and importantly still on track to reach the National Play offs. The team has a well-deserved weekend off before another tough game against Hinckley Hurricanes the following weekend. Thanks as always to Coach Kate, club manager and scorer Rose and time keeper Kath and to all of our supporters. We could not do it without any of you! This week’s round of East Midlands Netball Regional League matches saw Grasshopper NC come up against one of Division 2’s top teams, Iceni, in a well-contested and hard fought game (04/11/12).
True to form, Grasshoppers took an early lead in the first quarter, with some excellent shooting by Goal Attack (GA) Donna Osborn and headed into the break 11-9 up. Grasshoppers’ hard work continued to pay off during the second quarter as they consolidated their lead and headed into the half time interval, 21-16 up. Coach Anne Melling made some changes for the second half. Selina Jones came off, Karmen Askew moved to Centre (C) and Claire Fielding came on at Wing Attack (WA). The third quarter saw Iceni fight back, despite some strong defending by Goal Keeper (GK) Tracy Glover, Goal Defence (GD) Stephanie Hiom and Wing Defence (WD) Laura Harbour. By the end of the third quarter the scores had narrowed to just 30-27. Coach Melling made some final changes in the last quarter, bringing back Jones at Centre (C), moving Askew back to Wing Attack (WA), moving Harbour to Goal Defence (GD) and taking off Hiom. There ensued an extremely fraught and nail-biting final quarter for both sides with goals going in at both ends of the court. In the end, time was against Iceni though and Beth Smith and Donna Osborn did enough for Grasshoppers to clinch their first win of the season by just one goal. The final score was Grasshopper NC 36-35 Iceni. The Player of the Match was awarded to Laura Harbour for some fantastic defensive work. Sunday 4th November saw Iceni play Grasshoppers in the East Midlands Netball Regional League Division 2 fixture at Loughborough University’s Sir David Wallace Sports Centre.
Iceni got off to another slow start but picked up towards the end of the first quarter and only trailed Grasshoppers 9-11 after the first fifteen minutes. The game followed a similar pattern in the second quarter but the opposition managed to increase their advantage slightly, going in at half-time, 16-21 up. In the second half, Iceni fought back and won the third quarter by two goals. However, the team still trailed 27-30 going into the final fifteen minutes. The fourth and final quarter saw Iceni continue to claw back Grasshoppers’ lead and with just a minute to go, the scores were level at 35 goals each. A lot of attacking and counter-attacking play ensued but the opposition managed to score just before the final whistle. The final score was: Iceni 35-36 Grasshoppers. Iceni’s Player of the Match went to Kay Marshall who played a strong roll throughout the mid-court. This week’s round of England Netball Premier League Division 2 matches saw Falcons Black host Turnford Netball Club in what turned out to be a tough, physical encounter (04/11/12).
Falcons Black got off to a bright start; the centre court linked up well with the shooters to give them a slight lead in the opening minutes. However, Turnford’s players soon found their stride and produced some great play to pull the score back level. An injury to Falcons Black’s Sofija Djukic then led to the introduction of Hannah Joseph mid-way through the quarter. Joseph settled in well and with the help of some great defensive turnovers, the first quarter ended 11-10 in Falcons Black’s favour. No further changes were made at the break and both teams came out fighting, determined to establish a definite lead during the second quarter. This period proved to be particularly physical, which meant that both teams struggled to make the ball flow through the court. Even so, both sides produced some fantastic play at times. Falcons Black were particularly impressive in their work around the attacking circle, feeding into their shooters nicely, whilst Turnford’s effective circle defending meant that the home team found it difficult to always capitalise on their chances. Not surprisingly, the quarter ended all square at ten goals each, meaning Falcons Black went into half-time 21-20 ahead. During the half-time break, Falcons Black’s coach, Donna Swann’s message was simple. The team had to focus on making those all-important interceptions and then successfully converting them. Fresh legs were also needed. Charlotte Roye came on at Goal Shooter (GS), Eleanor Durcan came on at Centre (C), Hannah Joseph moved to Wing Defence (WD), Jade Forbes-Wattley moved to Goal Defence (GD) and Issy Beighton moved back to Goal Keeper (GK). As the Falcons Black players settled into the third quarter, the defensive pair of Jade Forbes-Wattley and Issy Beighton worked hard to turn over balls. However, the home team found it hard to break down the stubborn Turnford defence and struggled to get accurate feeds into the Falcons Black shooter. Turnford started to gain the upper hand and began to pull ahead, finishing the third quarter with a 31-35 lead. During the short break, the Falcons Black Team brought Dominique McKee back on at Wing Defence (WD), whilst Hannah Joseph moved to Centre (C) and Eleanor Durcan to Wing Attack (WA). Coach Swann’s words focused the Falcons Black team on dictating their opposing player and ensuring that the attacks through the middle court were to a Falcons Black advantage instead of playing to Turnford’s strengths. The home team made a fantastic start to the fourth quarter. In the defending circle, Issy Beighton and Jade Forbes-Wattley turned over the ball at will, whilst Dominique McKee and Hannah Joseph made it difficult for accurate feeds to be given to Turnford’s shooters. At the other end of court, shooters Christie Simpson and Charlotte Roye converted every turnover opportunity. As the quarter went on, Falcons Black upped the tempo and produced some excellent link-up play throughout centre court. The impressive team display ensured that Turnford were prevented from scoring for a full seven minutes. Meanwhile, backed up by solid defending, Falcon Black’s attack turned the game around to seal a 46-43 win. Overall it was a great team effort by Falcons Black to come from five goals behind in the final quarter to win by three and showed the grit and determination that these players approach each game with. Hopefully they can use this win as momentum for the next game, away against Dudley Leisure. Starting Line-up: Helen Hancock (GS), Christie Simpson (GA), Kate Flaherty (WA), Sofija Djukic (C), Dominique McKee (WD), Issy Beighton (GD), Jade Forbes-Wattley (GK) Subs: Eleanor Durcan, Charlotte Roye, Hannah Joseph Lincoln City 2 (the Imps) faced neighbouring rivals, Nottingham Knights, in this week’s East Midlands Netball Regional League Division 2 game (04/11/12). With Vic Adams injured, Megan Samways moved to Wing Defence (WD), Zoe Cooper to Centre (C) and Bethan Sullivan started at Wing Attack (WA).
It was a close first quarter as the Imps strove for all five points. The defensive duo of Lizzie Saywell and Jade Houlton fought hard to claim the majority of the rebounds, with Saywell also producing a fine interception during the first fifteen minutes. The first quarter ended with Knights just edging it, 11-13. Charlotte Bayes came on at Wing Attack (WA) after the break and created some great movement and feeds into Lincoln City 2’s attack. She dodged her player several times to receive the ball in the attacking third and provide the attack with an option on the edge. Unfortunately, the Imps lost two centre passes in a row during this quarter though, which resulted in the team going behind by five goals. The gap opened up further to a six-goal deficit at one point but Lincoln City 2 managed to claw their way back into the game and ended the quarter just two goals shy. Nottingham Knights led 22-24. The third quarter saw Bethan Sullivan move to Centre (C) as the Imps experimented with their centre court options, whilst Nottingham Knights changed their attack as they tried to open up their lead once more. Lincoln City 2’s defenders stood firm though and their marking was excellent, rarely being pulled up for contact infringements. Lincoln City 2 continued to work hard and keep the opposition at bay but as the third quarter drew to a close, Nottingham Knights had managed to open up a slight lead. The quarter ended 29-35. Charlotte Bayes moved to Goal Shooter (GS) and Laura Forsey came on at Centre (C), as the Imps changed their system for the final fifteen minutes. Defenders Lizzie Saywell and Jade Houlton battled hard to control Knights’ Goal Shooter (GS), whilst also keeping their Goal Attack (GA) out of the ‘D.’ However, it was little avail. Nottingham Knight’s shooting was excellent and what had been a close game thus far turned into a cruel defeat as the Imps simply ran out of steam. The final score was Lincoln City 2 (Imps) 34-52 Nottingham Knights. Lincoln City 2’s Player of the Match went to Jade Houlton, who was voted the best player by Nottingham Knights’ Captain. She defended well throughout the game, made many successful rebounds and regularly kept Nottingham Knight’s Goal Attack (GA) out of the circle. For more information on Lincoln City, please visit: www.lincolncitynetball.co.uk. |
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