Isle of Man Netball senior league results from games played on Sunday, February 6:

Premiership Division

Thompson Travel 1 - 27,

Suntera Global Ballasalla

Blizzards 36

This game started off slow, not so much the game play but rather the rate of scoring.

Ballasalla struggled to get the ball into the circle as a result of the positioning of Thompson defenders Annemarie Crompton and Molly Christian who girthed their shooters.

Ella Crowe was able to work the ball down to the Thompson end suitably well and they finished the quarter one goal ahead. Both Ballasalla and Thompson came back out with the same line-up, but Balla found some movement in the circle and took the quarter by five goals.

Each side made a number of changes at half-time: Amelia Brockbanks came on at wing defence for Ballasalla and Lydia Shaw moved to the centre position.

Thompson brought on Georgia Harding at goal shooter and she proved to be a target for her side and also allowed Sam Dunne to move out at goal attack and provide the drive coming into the end third.

Emily Rawlins also made an impact at wing defence for Thompson, helping bring the ball through the court while trying to deny the movement of her opponent, island captain Ashley Hall.

This worked for Thompson and they narrowed Ballasalla’s lead to two goals going into the final quarter.

The next 10 minutes showcased the connection between Hall and Shaw as they were able to maintain possession until their shooters opened up.

Everything seemed to come together just in time for the Ballasalla side, with Mairi Harrison nailing shots from distance and their defence gaining numerous intercepts.

Ballasalla won the game 36-27 and player of the match went to Ashley Hall.

Championship

Route 1 Turbos 20,

Atla Group Pumas 38

This was always going to be a tough match for Route 1 Turbos against top-of-the-table Atla Group Pumas.

But Turbos were keen to prove themselves after their last meeting and improve on their previous score.

In the first quarter, the experienced Pumas took an early lead as a quieter-than-normal Turbos took their time to settle into the game. The opening period ended with Pumas taking a seven-goal lead.

After a motivating quarter-time team talk, a livelier Turbos returned to the court for the second period with Elena Reid moving to GA, Kate Doran taking the centre bib and Alice Willoughby moving to WA.

These mid-court players linked well with one another and provided excellent support to their shooters on the circle edge who were under great pressure from Pumas’ defensive duo of Caroline Maddrell and Zoe Shimmin-Mann.

Turbos’ Ella Webster (GS) held her own in the circle and hardly missed a shot. The improvement in Turbos’ game was evident from the number of goals in this quarter, with them scoring six to Pumas’ nine.

In the third quarter, Turbos continued to improve and there was some impressive defence on display from Freya Skillicorn (GD) and Olivia Quayle (GK) who worked hard to limit the movement of the skilful Hazel Bailey (GA) and Alex Cashin (GS).

This resulted in them making many timely interceptions which Turbos managed to convert to goals at their end.

In the final quarter Pumas, who are unbeaten in the Championship division this season, continued with the same intensity they had in the first quarter and ran away from Turbos.

The final score was 20-38 to Pumas. This was an enjoyable and well-contested game for all which ensured that Turbos received an important half-point.

Player of the match went to Hazel Bailey for Pumas.

Division One

Atla Group Panthers 31,

Ramsey Blacks 39

Both teams took to court with intent but it was Ramsey who opened up an early three-goal lead, making the most of their opportunities in the first quarter.

Panthers soon regained composure and the two teams matched goal-for-goal for a period despite some persistent defence from Panthers’ Jess Edmond (GK) and Beth Hall (GD) in Ramsey’s attacking circle.

Swift attacking from the centre pass and some beautiful movement around the circle saw Ramsey’s Ariana Kerruish (GA) and Bryony Callow-Thomas (GS) in fine form, barely missing a shot and converting most rebounds.

Panthers and Ramsey both worked hard to defend, intercepting frequently, but with few turnovers except for technical errors this game was a game of attack.

With some beautiful feeds into the circle by Nicole Pressley (WA) and Amber Pullen (C) and little error in the shooting circle, Blacks took a half-time lead of 21-15.

Ramsey made a few tactical changes, which were mirrored by Panthers. Despite the relative silence on court and what seemed to be a slow start, both attacking circles worked hard to convert their shots.

Panthers’ Courtney Quinn (GA) and Robyn Millar (GS) had found their flow, but Ramsey’s defensive duo Sarah Nash (GK) and Emily Craig (GD) worked hard to minimise opportunities.

Panthers’ defence also pressurised the Ramsey attacking formation, meaning the quarter score was 8-1 to Ramsey. Leading into the final period, the score was 22-29 to the northerners.

Panthers stepped up their game, really showing they meant business in the final quarter. For a moment they closed the scoreline to four goals, capitalising on lost Ramsey balls and converting three in a row.

But the northerners came back with force and some fabulous interceptions across the court. Blacks’ Ellie Johnston (WA) opened space around the circle, enabling quick feeds into the attack.

Ramsey had to work hard to maintain possession, but their determination proved vital and was enough to secure a 39-31 victory. Player of the match went to Ariana Kerruish for Ramsey Blacks.