PwC Manx Gems Sapphires 13 v 33 Thompson B by Stacey Robinson
Sapphires got off to a great start, scoring the first goal which was quickly matched by Thompson. By quarter time it was neck and neck with 5 goals each side. PwC weren't so strong in the second quarter, scoring no goals but Thompson upped their game converting 11. After half time Sapphires came back and fighting, although with an 11 goal advantage, it was going to be tough. Pressure was evident from both teams and a strong defense at either end of the court ensured plenty of interceptions. Thompsons shooting duo were on form with some cracking conversions which in the end, proved the difference giving the girls in purple the edge. PwC never gave up and team spirits were high. The final whistle blew to a 20 point advantage in Thompson's favour. Stacey Robinson gained player of the match for PWC and Hannah Clague for Thompson B.
Absolute Scaffolding Aces triumph again! by Colette Gambell
It was always going to be a tough match for Absolute Aces as Marbree Motors were sure to be on form and this time, they brought the whole team to the court.
Their last mutual encounter was fraught from the start for the girls in red as they struggled to field a full team, let alone key players. This gave Aces a clear advantage and an easy 58-9 win in November however the tables were turned somewhat as the Marbree girls' full complement pressurised a reshuffled Aces line-up.
Marbree were clear from the whistle that they meant business as they matched the strength of the Aces early on. Centre Sammy Bowden was on form linking well with her attacking team feeding some great balls into the circle. Absolute's GD Fran Lythgoe was also on her toes making vital interceptions in the D. The first quarter remained relatively low scoring, proving there was little difference between the two teams and the first quarter drew to a 9-6 close in Aces' favour. The second quarter saw the Aces attack find their feet as Rachel Bailey & Penny Doran made light work of delivering the ball to the circle. Shooters Caitlin Morter and Doran found the net with ease building momentum for the Aces but a few repeated errors in the centre circle squandered the easy ball and Marbree were quick to capitalise on mistakes.
Aces defense worked hard and Toria Newbolt (WD) and Gaynor Hewings successfully collaborated to keep the shooters out of the circle. Marbree's speed of attack at times was impressive but Lythgoe also worked tirelessly, often interrupting their amazing flow and crucially returning the ball to her team.
Some half time changes proved valuable as Aces improved margin went from strength to strength. Bowden continued with pace and made it difficult to keep up with but her speed and competitive nature left her causing a little contact. With the ball in hand though, her swift timing and precision made it near impossible to defend effectively. Marbree's WA was also quick and moved well to find space on court.
Marbree deserve credit as the scoreline bears no representation to how close the match felt. They worked hard for every ball and some tiring or less focused play from Absolute Aces in the final quarter left them open to abuse. Half way through the final quarter, Aces seemed to regain composure and continued their positive streak to the end. All their shooters were on form and barely missed a shot but it was the dynamism and sharp eye of Shirley Ryzak who caught the oppositions attention, earning her the Player of the Match accolade for Absolute Scaffolding Aces and Sammy Bowden for Marbree Motors. Absolute Aces came home with the 47-24 win but Marbree should be proud of a strong effort.
C&S C 42 Team DQ 32 by Claire Belcher-Smith
C&S took to the court looking like they wanted to win and some fine shooting from Katie Reuben's and Aalish Bridson ensured the first quarter was theirs. Team DQ never gave up and with equal shooting ability Dani Kelly kept her team in the game however the hard work of Holly Armstrong and Claire McLoughlin made it very difficult for the DQ attack to get a clean pass into their shooters. Neve Longshaw worked really hard for the C&S girls and linked well with Ellie Gilson, both feeding their shooters well and with the form Katie Reuben's is in, she wasn't likely to miss. This was a good game but C&S had the edge throughout, and no matter what the DQ girls tried to do C&S seemed to have an answer. Player of the match for C&S was Katie Reuben's and for DQ was Dani Kelly.
Fencibles 27 PwC Manx Gems Rubies 20 by Claire Belcher-Smith
This was a very low scoring game with plenty of mistakes made, which made it anyone's game. It was Fencibles who picked up the loose balls and took the lead in the first quarter. Rubies came back fighting in the second quarter and the hard work from Jess Hawkins made it very difficult for Jess Smallwood and Lily Westerman. Hawkins put pressure on the girls getting vital tips and interceptions for the Rubies girls. Ellie Howell-Evans linked well with Hawkins and kept their girls in the game. The second half saw Rubies lose key player, Trudi Halsall and Fencibles used this to their advantage. Holly King fed Smallwood, who played some great netball, was always making herself available for a pass and then finishing the movement off with goals. POTM for Fencibles was Jess Smallwood and Jess Hawkins got it for Rubies.
C&S Joinery A 52 v SMP Ballasalla B 15
This game took a while to get going with the C&S girls making plenty of errors and the shooters were not themselves, however this was short lived and when the girls got going it was easy too see why they are top of the table.
The tireless work of the C&S defense only allowing 4 goals in, in the first half was impressive, but equally hard working were the defence of Balla and Anna Marie Crompton and Gemma White put plenty of pressure on, but the shooting trio of Sara Corkish, Chloe Swales and Erin Keggen (who came on in last half) was tough to breakdown and the girls soon found their shooting form. The C&S Girls eventually got themselves together and took the game by 36 goals. POTM for C&S A was Chloe Swales & POTM for Balla was Sandra Wallace.
Results:
Premier: SMP Ballasalla A 60, C&S Joinery B 26; C&S Joinery A 51, Balla B 15; Missfits A 47, Toomraiders 26.
Division 1: C&S Joinery C 42, Team DQ 32; Fencibles 27, PwC Rubies 20; Anglo Manx 25, Manx Glass Saints 19.
Division 2: SMP Ballasalla C 64, Thompson C 9; Absolute Scaffolding Aces 47, Marbree Motors 24; Missfits B 42, Thompson D 10; Thompson B 33, Manx Gems Sapphires 13.
Fixtures: Sunday 10th February 2013
NSC 1: 9am SMP Ballasalla B v C&S Joinery B; 10am PwC Manx Gems Sapphires v C&S Joinery D; 11am Absolute Scaffolding v SMP Ballasalla C.
NSC 2: 9am SMP Ballasalla A v Missfis A; 10am Route 1 Connections v Magic Carpets; 11am Toomraiders v Thompson A.
SNLS 1: 9am PokerStars v Manx Glass Saints; 10am PwC Manx Gems Emeralds v Fencibles B; 11am C&S Joinery C v Anglo Manx Electrical Services.
SNLS 2: 9am Route 1 Sparks v Marbree Motors; 10am Team DQ v PwC Manx Gems Rubies; 11am Thompson D v Thompson B.
