Isle of Man Netball reports from games played on Sunday, December 13:

premier division

Route 1 Connections 42, Marbree Missfits A 28

These two were each other’s opening game of the season and what a first match it was.

A goal-for-goal 50 minutes ultimately saw Route 1 pull away in the dying minutes of the game by three goals so the rematch was sure to be interesting.

Both teams got off to a slow start, each side throwing away a good scutch of balls with some not-so-careful passing, leading to a low scoreline at the end of the first quarter where Route 1 led 6-3.

The leaders were the first ones to kick into gear in the second quarter though, thanks to the coaching tips from Claire Battye.

Countless clean defensive tips from the long limbs of C Sara Watterson and GA Nicki Spencer combined with the rash-like man-on marking by Cassie Pizzey meant Route 1 forced numerous turnovers.

This, combined with Kat Keeling holding position under the post and barely missing a shot all game, saw the score soar in Route 1’s favour.

This was despite the superb defensive efforts from Missfits’ WA Dani Murphy who bagged three clean intercepts for her team in the mid-court and GK Lisa Quilliam whose exquisite movement led to some textbook intercepts in the circle.

Scores on the doors at the end of quarter two saw it standing Route 1 22, Missfits 9.

After a mix around of positions Missfits came back fighting, putting pedal to the metal.

The underdogs managed to hold Route 1 to a one-goal quarter win, thanks to the creation of lovely space through court by GA Becky Dunne and defensive pressure from Niamh Baggesen-Cox, who stepped in at the last minute because of injury.

At the end of the third quarter, Route 1 continued to lead the way 33-19.

With nothing to lose, Missfits decided to mix it up again and not a minute too soon as Route 1 had clocked onto their attacking place down court and ramped up the defensive pressure in every third, creating an impressive wall of green.

It didn’t sway the calm attack from Missfits’ C Rosie Reay or Lizzie Beard who moved to WA, showing patience in the face of smothering defence and smooth feeds into the quick hands of GS Lauren Ellison.

Dunne moved to GD and immediately made an impact, creating a fantastic battle with shooter Keeling.

Solid positioning under the post by Dunne and GK Quilliam saw Missfits gain a decent scutch of rebounds, which helped them draw the final quarter; a small victory to end the game on.

It was too little too late though, as Route 1 continued to plug away, each player doing their job, and doing it solidly.

Confidence oozed out of younger players Holly Burgess and Cassie Pizzey whose attacking defence was fantastic from start to finish, showing them play at a level beyond their years.

A well-deserved win for Route 1, with the player of the match award going to the constantly improving Pizzey.

Division One

Suntera Global Ballasalla Charlie 34, Manx Gems Sapphires 28

The match between Suntera Global Ballasalla Charlies and Manx Gems Sapphires started with both teams using the first quarter to settle into their stride.

The pace of Manx Gems’ GA Alex Wilson-Spratt was a force to be reckoned with for the Balla defence during the first half.

While the southerners were successful in getting some turnover balls to take the lead, the match was otherwise even-handed between the teams.

It was the third quarter which saw Ballasalla pull out a more convincing lead against Manx Gems as they won that quarter 10-5.

Going into the final quarter, Manx Gems came out fighting. Their GS was making it look easy and was able to score from anywhere, putting increasing pressure on Ballasalla’s defensive duo of GK Gemma White and GD Sarah Lister.

With only five minutes of the match remaining, Manx Gems were successful in getting the turnover from Balla’s centre passes and scored a flurry of nearly eight unanswered goals.

The pressure was on for Ballasalla to maintain their lead and fortunately for them they were able to hold on, winning 34-28.

Player of the match was awarded to Diane Cregeen for Manx Gems who was instrumental in defence to break the play down of Ballasalla’s attacking duo Kath Kermode GS and Amelia Quinn GA.

Division Two

Castletown Celts 16, Manx Gems Emeralds 26

Manx Gems Emeralds started with the ball in the first quarter but play was skilfully turned around by Castletown Celts, with Corrin (GS) and Skelly (GA) working together to score the first goal.

Emeralds’ defence of Leece (GK) and Hannah Halsall (GD) managed to intercept and turn over some amazing balls before feeding them onto Macance (WD).

The latter and her team-mates all worked hard to feed the balls down to the attack and, at the end of the first quarter, Emeralds led by 8-3.

Celts went into the second period fighting, with Duffus (WA), O’Neill (C) and Renshaw (WD) working hard to get the ball down court into their attacking circle.

But the Island Tyres and Exhausts-sponsored Emeralds side went into the third quarter 15-7 up.

The Gems shone in this period, with Baines (WA) and Jones (C) feeding some fantastic balls to the attacking circle.

Kelly (GA) and Fitzgerald (GS) continued to increase the Emeralds lead and between them pushed the score to 22-8 at the end of the period.

The final quarter was a stronger one for Celts as the defensive duo of (GD) Charmer and (GK) Brooks-Lund worked extremely hard to turn over the balls and feed their attack, which shooters capitalised on.

Celts doubled their score in the final quarter but the final result was 26-16 to Emeralds, with Halsall again receiving a well earnt player of the match after some incredible play.