C&S A 46 v Toomraiders 31 by Claire Belcher-Smith Both teams took to the court eager to come out on top. It was a very close game to start, both teams fighting for every ball and not many mistakes being made by either team. Carly Singer and Rachel Burgess for Toomraiders made it very difficult for Chloe Swales and Katie Quine to get a clear shot on goal, they marked very tightly and stopped any loose ball from reaching the C&S shooters. The same can be said for the C&S’s defence, Lucy Slater and Andrea Debruin, who made it very difficult for Rachel Cook and Lynsey Singer. Their vital interceptions, kept C&S ahead by 1 goal approaching the second half of the game. Claire Belcher-Smith took to the court after being out all season. This seemed to settle the C&S girls and with Chloe Swales and Katie Quine’s shooting being on form it was hard for Toomraiders’ girls to stop them. Ellie Quayle had a fantastic game for Toomraiders and was the support player they all looked for. Quayle fed the ball into her shooting circle with precision however Slater, who was also having a great game, made it very difficult for Quayle to get a clear pass in. The game ended with C&S winning 46-31. Both teams had a great day today but C&S just managed to pull ahead and stay ahead. SMP Ballasalla A 39 v Route 1 24 by Colette Gambell SMP Ballasalla A were keen to maintain their unbeaten run throughout the season but it was Route 1 who claimed early leadership in this game. Route 1 stepped out in style for the Play-Off Finals, sporting their new green and white colours. Early pressure saw Premier League Winners SMP Ballasalla A dominated by their opponent’s, irregardless of managing to obtain half their leaders’ score in the first quarter. Despite Ciara Linehan (GK) and Karli Seed’s (GD) best efforts, the strength of Route 1’s teamwork ensured play centred round their attacking circle. Nicola Spencer (GA) was on form, making some great interceptions and barely missing a shot, taking her team’s score, with Sarah Maddrell’s (GS) assistance, to 8-4 at quarter time. SMP Ballasalla A were not about to take this lying down and retaliated as Kate Reynolds (GA) snatched the first goal of the quarter, closely followed by another within seconds. SMP were back on track, but an error conceded by Lineham, put Spencer back in the game. Route 1 resumed pressure resulting in Spencer upping the score to 11-6. SMP’s accurate passing centre court delivered the ball to their attacking circle but Route 1’s defensive duo Kat Keeling and Tracy Dentith, made it difficult to get a clear pass in, forcing SMP out of court and resulting in yet another goal for Spencer. Keeling maintained pressure forcing errors on SMP’s attack. SMP came back with a vengeance as both shooters found goal. Keeling did not give up but it wasn’t enough to stop Anne Marie Cropmton (GS) finding goal. With new determination Balla took control and even a back line pass in Route 1’s favour fell victim to a beautiful deflection from (C) Ashley Hall. Dentith and Keelings fervent efforts did not go unrewarded but the balance shifted and was compounded by Spencer’s untimely injury. This was a huge blow to Route 1 and quite possibly, combined with the additional loss of Dentith cost them the game. Keeling stepped up her game. Her determination was evident, no one was going to get that ball! Route 1 narrowly maintained a single point lead at half time. What looked to be a sure Route 1 goal, was brought rapidly to a halt by (GD) Seed. She had clearly found form, ensuring she stamped out many of Route 1’s opportunities as a series of interceptions followed. Balla worked the court with swift precision delivering control back to their attacking third but Route 1’s Fi Irving retrieved the ball from Balla’s grasp only for it to be cruelly returned to the winning team by a small error further down the court. A tough match that could have gone either way but SMP Ballasalla A proved why they are the reigning champions. Player of the Match: Kate Reynolds (SMP Ballasalla A) & Tracy Dentith (Route 1) ENDS