Isle of Man Netball reports and results from games played on Sunday, May 16:

Premiership

Suntera Global Ballasalla Bravo 35, Route 1 Connections 31

With the versatility of the players for both Route 1 Connections and Suntera Global Ballasalla Bravo, no-one could predict the line-ups.

On top of that, with their last match being so close (Route 1 winning by three), no-one could guess the outcome either.

The match began at a fast pace with the game going go `al-for-goal. Shooter Kat Keeling and Nicola Spencer played to their strengths in the circle, with good holds and accurate shooting, and enabled their team to finish the first quarter one goal ahead despite not having the first centre pass.

A big change for Ballasalla saw Ashley Hall move from goal defence to goal attack. Ballasalla wing defence Rachel Hudson got some great deflections and, with the feed to Kate Tebay hitting the target from anywhere in the attacking end, they managed to capitalise on any turnovers and were six goals ahead at half-time.

Claire Battye came onto court at GK in the third quarter and was able to slow the feed, while interceptions from Route 1 wing defence Cassidy Pizzey were played nicely down court by Sara Watterson and Holly Burgess.

With this, Route 1 were able to gain a goal back and Ballasalla went into the final quarter only five ahead.

There were several positional changes at this point. For Ballasalla, Niamh Skillicorn went to centre, Emily Ashe switched to wing attack and goal attack Mairi Harrison changed to wing defence.

For Route 1, Eliana Kneen moved back into GK and Holly Burgess moved to C, but it was the precision passing to Keeling from Claire Battye, who had moved to wing attack, which proved problematic for Ballasalla goalkeeper Zoe Kirkham.

Challenges from Route 1’s circle defence of Kneen and Paige Skillicorn were matched with intercepts at the other end from Ballasalla goal defence Clair Barks and wing defence Mairi Harrison.

While Route 1 were able to win the final quarter again by one, it was not enough to eat into the Ballasalla lead. The latter won 35-31 and player of the match was awarded to Bravos’ Niamh Skillicorn.

Division One

Thompson Travel 2 - 42, Long & Humphrey Toomraiders 44

Both teams started well with little between them before Thompson managed to edge ahead, taking the lead 11-10 in the first quarter.

Thompson began strongly in the second period, with some good shooting from both Georgie Harding (GS) and Ella Crowe (GA) which allowed them to increase their marginal lead to 24-20 at the end of the first half.

The third quarter saw Toomraiders continuing to build momentum, with some excellent play from both Kym Hicklin (GA) and Jess Edmonds (GS). As such, they won the quarter 12 goals to Thompson’s 11.

Despite Thompson’s best efforts, they could not shake off Long and Humphrey who continued hot on their heels throughout the game. It was the third quarter which saw Thompson’s lead reduce to three goals with the score standing at 35-32.

Toomraiders continued to apply the pressure in the fourth period with their centre pass set plays working to great effect and making life difficult for Thompson’s defence. There really was nothing between both sides in the final quarter, with the score swinging both ways throughout.

Unfortunately for Thompson, who gave away a few turnovers, Toomraiders continued to attack with great effect and secured the win 44-42, with player of the match going to Long and Humphrey’s Jess Edmonds.

Division Two

Simcocks Silver Eagles 16, WDS Ltd Young Farmers B 24

The match started with Young Farmers B only having six players, which Simcocks Silvers used to their advantage and took an early lead, ending the first quarter ahead 9-2.

By the second period Young Farmers had a full team and were therefore back to full strength.

Lucy Corlett GD for Farmers had a couple of nicely-timed interceptions which were then converted down the other end and, as such, Eagles’ lead was reduced to 11-9 at the end of the second quarter.

Simcocks Silvers made some changes in the third period, moving McKenzie Pizzey from her usual GD position to C in an attempt to strengthen the team’s mid-court. But Farmers were well into their stride and by the end of the third quarter they had taken the lead 16-14.

Farmers’ shooting duo were on top form, proving just too much for the young Silvers defence and the game finished with Young Farmers winning 24-16 and player of the match going to Nicci Cain (Young Farmers B) for her unmissable shooting.