Premiership

Simcocks Blue Eagles 34 Thompson Travel 1 - 36

Simcocks Blue took on Thompson Travel 1 in the Newfield-sponsored senior netball Premiership on Sunday.

The first quarter was a tight battle to try to take an early lead, with shooters from both sides starting strong and by the end of the opening period Simcocks led by one.

In the second quarter Simcocks looked the brighter of the two teams, with shooting duo Poppy Bowman (GS) and Poppy Irving (GA) converting goals and Sophie Howland C and Helen Mason (WA) providing good circle support.

But Thompson managed to hold on, with Ann Marie (GK) and Molly Christian (GD) putting Simcocks under huge pressure to keep the scoreline within touching distance.

Simcocks’ defence Anna Munro (GD) and Becky Hempsell (GK) worked hard together to restrict their chances early on and the quarter ended 18-13 to the Eagles.

In the third period, Thompson began to fight back, with mid-court Ella Crowe (C), Fern Christian (WA) and Mika Chen (WD) linking up well to bring the ball up smoothly to Kym Hicklin GS and Alice Cross GA who were shooting from any distance within the circle comfortably.

Simcocks’ Claire Mason WD made some crucial interceptions that ended the quarter 24-24.

The fourth quarter saw Thompson’s defence working hard and their shooting becoming more consistent, resulting in them taking the lead. Simcocks fought to get in front and in the end ran out of time, meaning the victory went to Thompson 36 goals to 34.

Player of the match deservedly went to Alice Cross who shot phenomenally, missing little to nothing throughout the game

Championship

Young Farmers 39,

Simocks Green Eagles 17

Young Farmers got off to a strong start in this match, with some great attacking and defensive play throughout the team which took them ahead 12-2 by the end of the first quarter.

Simcocks really upped their game in the second quarter, putting pressure on Farmers and causing them to make simple mistakes. The Green Eagles took advantage and won this quarter, therefore closing the gap on the scoreline to 19-11.

After the half-time break, Farmers once again took control and were able to slow down the play and started to work the ball round the circle more consistently, allowing their shooters Sam Curphey and Nicci Cain to convert their shots.

As such, Farmers led 32-16 at the end of the third quarter.

In the final period, the goals were fewer but Farmers had firmly secured their win and the final score ended 39-17 to them. The player of the match award went to Young Framers’ GA Nicci Cain, which was very well deserved as she played a brilliant game.

Division One

Panthers 36

Marbree Missfits C 21

Coming into this game, both teams were vying for the win after a loss for both sides the previous week.

Panthers had the first centre but both teams struggled to settle into the game, with mistakes on each side allowing Marbree Missfits to take an early lead.

Panthers soon found their feet and moved ahead, supported by a formidable defensive pairing in Robyn Millar (GK) and Jess Edmonds (GA), with their height making it hard for the Marbree Misfits attack to get the ball into their shooters for the remainder of the first quarter.

Therefore the scoreline stood at 6-3 to the Panthers after the first 12-minute period.

Changes seemed to unsettle the flow again slightly for the Panthers, allowing Marbree Missfits to regain some ground helped by a strong presence in their attacking end and a change of play style with a new GS.

Despite this, Panthers held onto their three-goal lead ending the first half 13-10.

Panthers moved GD to GA, taking that height advantage from the defensive circle to the attack.

Making the most of interceptions by their GD, Marbree Misfits managed to turnover a couple of the Panthers centres, but on-target shooting from Danielle Kelly GS meant Panthers kept ahead 24-15.

There were no changes for Panthers heading into the final quarter, with C Helen Gibson carrying the strength she had shown throughout the game into the last period which proved to be the highest scoring quarter for both teams as they kept the pressure and pace right until the final whistle.

The final score was 36-21 to Panthers and a very well-deserved player of the match was awarded to Gibson.

Division Two

Castletown Vikings 18,

Suntera Global Ballasalla Frosts 27

The newly-formed Castletown Vikings took on Suntera Global Ballasalla Frosts.

The latter side took an early lead, with their defensive duo of Alicia Kewley and Brintha Yasodaran putting pressure on Vikings’ attacking circle, while their accurate shooting meant the first quarter finished 7-2 to Ballasalla.

The second period saw Vikings come back fighting and their teamwork shone all through the court.

Thanks to a few key interceptions from Vikings’ centre Sofia Douglas and some solid shooting from Macy Hillier (GA) and Alicia Hide (GS), the Castletown side closed the gap and were able to edge the quarter, with the first half finishing 12-8 to Ballasalla.

Quarter three saw some changes from both teams as Vikings took a few minutes to settle into their new positions and Ballasalla were able to stretch their lead to nine goals. Both teams worked hard to fight for the ball and this saw a few turnovers before a goal was scored by Vikings.

The final quarter was played goal-for-goal as both teams had settled into the game and enjoyed some fantastic passages of play.

Vikings and Frosts dug deep to finish the fast-paced contest and drew 7-7 in the last period as Ballasalla won the game 27-18, with their defender Brintha Yasodaran taking a well-deserved player of the match award.