Latest results from Isle of Man Netball games played on Sunday, October 17:

Premiership

Suntera Global Ballasalla Avalanches 38,

Simcocks Blue Eagles 28

It was clear from the first whistle that both teams were fired up for this game and looking for the win.

Simcocks’ centre and captain Sophie Howland started the game with high intensity, working hard to move the ball down court and into the shooting circle.

The Simcocks’ shooting pairing of Poppy Irving and Poppy Bowman found their form early on and sank some fantastic long-range shots.

The game went goal-for-goal for much of the first quarter, but Ballasalla’s Rachel Quayle made some crucial turnovers which resulted in her side finishing three ahead at the first break. The fast and frantic action in the second period led to some sloppy play from both sides, with several contact and obstruction calls from the umpires.

Ballasalla’s defensive duo of Zoe Kirkham and Ella Carridge increased the pressure on the Simcocks shooters and came out with some impressive turnovers which Kate Williams and Rachel Hopkinson were able to convert, allowing Ballasalla’s lead to be extended to six goals at half-time.

The play was subdued as they started the second half and once again the teams looked evenly matched.

The wing attacks for both sides, Helen Mason for Simcocks and Emily Ashe for Ballsalla, made some lovely feeds into the circle resulting in some good netball to watch.

Jane Ryder-Clague worked hard to link attack and defence and by three-quarter time Ballasalla led by nine goals.

The game was far from over though, and Simcocks increased the pressure for the final quarter.

The defence of Lizzie Power, Kenzie Pizzey and Claire Mason worked tirelessly to delay Ballasalla’s play to the circle edge and this resulted in the best quarter of the game for Simcocks, losing that quarter by only one goal.

The final result ended 38-28 to Suntera Ballasalla, with Carridge (GD) being named as player of the match.

Championship

Marbree Missfits B 18,

Alta Group Pumas, 38

Atla Group Pumas got off to a strong start by taking an early lead.

After an injury to their GK, a substitution saw Sarah Jones and Breeshey Harkin in defence against the formidable Missfits GA Christie Sayle. The latter had a strong match and would have contested for player of the match, if not for the goal difference rule.

Missfits regrouped and came out fighting at the start of the second quarter. This pressure led to some over ambitious passing by Pumas and some impressive interceptions by Misfits GD Sophie Reynolds and GK Amy Pointon.

Nevertheless, Pumas closed out the second quarter 11 points ahead.

In the third period, Missfits were keen to claim a point and pulled the score back to 26-14 with some fast play in the centre third by Rebekah Pate and Michelle Cannell.

But the fourth quarter saw Pumas storm back with some great defensive interceptions by Stacey Batty and some strong passes up the court via Elle Looney and Rachel Edwards into the shooting team of Hazel Bailey and Alex Cashin to score.

Bailey shone in the second half of the match, earning her player of the match through her continuous work making space and rarely missing a shot despite the best efforts of the Missfits defence, leading to a 38-18 victory for Pumas and denying Missfits that all-important point.

Division One

Ramsey Blacks 18,

Castletown Celts 31

This match between Castletown Celts and Ramsey Blacks was always going to be a close match as last season they each claimed a win against the other and so they both went into the game full of confidence.

The game started with both teams evenly matched. Ramsey Blacks’ defensive circle made it hard for the Celts shooters as both Ava Brown (GD) and Emily Craig (GK) put pressure on and Ramsey ended the quarter one goal ahead, six goals to five.

Celts made a change in attack and the long-range shooting of Nicky Corrin (GS) working along with Louise Skelly saw Celts take the lead at the end of the first half.

The second half saw changes in both teams as Ramsey’s captain Nicole Pressley came on and rallied their mid-court, which brought the ball into the shooting circle and resulted in their highest goal-scoring quarter.

But the change made by Celts saw the southern team match them and extend their lead as the attack of Rebecca O’Neill, Hayley Duffus and Sarah Cutts came together to finish the third quarter 21-15.

The final period saw Celts dominate as their defensive line-up of Amy Dunne, Holly Charmer and Holly Renshaw were on fire, with numerous interceptions and turnover ball which meant their shooting circle had plenty of attempts to capitalise and increase their lead.

This resulted in the game finishing 31-18 to Castletown Celts and player of the match going to their centre, O’Neill, who as always produced a fabulous performance for her team.

Division Two

Suntera Global Ballasalla Gales 22, Castletown

Vikings 22

Suntera Global Ballasalla Gales set off fast and furious against Castletown Vikings.

The team moved the ball quickly through the court and found the ever-composed Nessa Farren easily under the post, resulting in Ballasalla leading by three goals at quarter-time.

No positional changes were made by either team going into the second period but Castletown defenders Isabelle Cutts and Michelle Blyth man-marked their opponents with more effect.

With Ballasalla unwilling to slow the pace and their options being limited, the ball ended up in the hands of Castletown more often and the lead changed.

At half time Castletown were ahead 13-10 and they brought on two new circle defenders for the third quarter, Phoebe Roosen and Olivia Cregeen, but it was the efforts of the Ballasalla circle defence that turned the tide of the game yet again.

Castletown shooter Nicky Corrin had been stepping out to take the ball nicely throughout the game, but Ballasalla goalkeeper Charlotte Brooks was able to apply just enough pressure to effect the feed-in.

Some crucial interceptions from goal defence Trinity Hebden ensured the Ballasalla side won the quarter and only trailed by one goal at three-quarter time.

The last period was going to be exciting and became a competition of the centre court.

Strong runs into the end third by Castletown wing attack Vicki Corrin kept the ball flowing to her shooters.

But this was matched by the determination of Ballasalla centre Annelise Mellor who received almost every other pass to drive the ball down to her shooters.

No team could make headway into the score and the game ended 22-all, with player of the match being awarded to Castletown’s Corrin.