Isle of Man Netball league results from games played on Sunday, February 21:

Premiership

Simcocks Blue Eagles 17

Marbree Missfits A 39

Both Simcocks and Missfits started well, showing great movement around the mid-court.

There were some timely interceptions from Sophie Howland (C) and Bayleigh Mitchell (WA), feeding the shooting duo of Katie Quine and Katie Reubens for Simcocks.

Missfits worked hard to defend their circle, with Lisa Quilliam and Becky Dunne applying pressure to thwart any chance of conversion, and Simcocks started to fall behind on score.

Simcocks defence of Emma Wilcox and Fi Clark-Wilson made some strong interceptions throughout the game but the Missfits attack of Lauren Ellison and Dani Murphy were on form, receiving great feeds into the circle and missing very few of their shots which were converted quickly.

Simcocks made changes in the second quarter, moving Clark-Wilson to attack and Alex Johnston to GD. This proved to be a positive switch, with the team taking time to reset and be a little more patient with the ball, but it still wasn’t enough to even the score.

Simcocks were further forced to make changes at the end of the third quarter because of injury, with Helen Mason moving to WA.

Although Simcocks continued to make great interceptions, their shooters were not as accurate and allowed Missfits to gain the upper hand and chalk up more conversions.

A great game to watch, with free-flowing netball and end-to end-action.

A well-deserved player of the match award went to Missfits GD Becky Dunne.

Division One

Manx Gems Sapphires 21 Castletown Spaniards 35

The last time Manx Gems Sapphires (sponsored by Island Tyres and Autocare) and Castletown Spaniards met in October, the former lost by a single goal.

Spaniards had a new addition to their line-up this time with Sarah Curphey as centre. Although Sapphires opened the scoring first, Spaniards soon capitalised with some good downcourt passing and on-form shooting by GS Zoe Ludford-Brooks and GA Sara Collister. The first quarter ended 10-5 to Spaniards.

The second period saw GD Ruth Kennish work tirelessly, but Sapphires GS Trudi Halsall and GA Alex Wilson-Spratt managed to gain some turnovers in the circle and then capitalise on them.

Alisha Fitzgerald (Sapphires) came on as GA for the second half and was exquisite with her shooting, but unfortunately for her the opportunities were limited.

Defensively, Hawkins and Crowe worked well but Ludford-Brooks’ height in the circle gave her the advantage on the few rebounds available.

In the third quarter, Sapphires centre Dawn Quinn worked hard for interceptions but did receive a caution for not maintaining her distance around the circle edge.

It was Spaniard’s well-timed passing, notably WA Kerry Kelly, that gave them a lead of 26-16 going into the final quarter.

While there was some good play by both teams, Spaniards extended their lead in the final quarter and the game finished 35-21. Player of the match went to Kerry Kelly (Spaniards).

Division Two

Ramsey Black 23

Manx Gems Emerald 34

The northerners took to court with determination in what was always going to be a tough match.

Taking an early two-point lead against the division leaders, Ramsey Blacks made good use of their GA stand-in Kitty Treanor who linked well with centre courts Amber Pullen and GS Bryony Callow-Thomas.

True to form, Manx Gems Emeralds did not rest on their laurels and soon found momentum, matching them goal for goal before turning over Ramsey’s possession and extending their lead for a 7-10 quarter finish.

Some quarter-time changes for Gems proved pivotal, strengthening the defence just enough to capitalise on the few missed opportunities in the Blacks circle.

Equally, Emeralds shooters Alisha Fitzgerald and Aailish Kelly seemed to make easy work of finding the net despite some relentless pressure from Emily Craig and Gabby Sullivan.

With a 12-20 half-time score, Ramsey shuffled their team a little in a bid to reduce the margin. Both teams’ passion was evident as both tension and pace grew.

The Blacks fought for every loose ball and this showed as they matched the leaders goal for goal, drawing the quarter to a close with the score standing at 18-26.

Gems took to court for the final quarter with an eight-point lead and, despite the northerners pulling back with two successive goals which cut the deficit to within six, Emeralds quickly regrouped and made the most of their opportunities.

Ramsey’s Ava Brown and Sullivan’s valiant defensive efforts in the D turned over possession several times but Gems had the edge in this match, ultimately earning their 12th league win and ensuring their undefeated run remained intact.

A well-deserved player of the match award went to Manx Gems Emeralds’ Tori Leece.

RESULTS

Premier Division

Manx Gems Rubies 21, Simcocks Red Eagles 48

Player of the Match:

Vivia Stawna (Simcocks Red Eagles)

Simcocks Blue Eagles 17, Marbree Missfits A 39

PotM: Becky Dunne (Marbree Missfits A)

Thompson Travel 1 - 30,

Suntera Global Ballasalla Bravo 34

PotM: Rachel Hopkinson (Ballasalla Bravo)

Route 1 Connections 31,

Brown Craine Toomraiders 21

PotM: Paige Skillicorn (Route 1 Connections)

Simcocks Gold Eagles 18,

Suntera Global Ballasalla Alpha 32

PotM: Jane Ryder-Clague (Ballasalla Alpha)

Division One

Manx Gems Sapphires 21,

Castletown Spaniards 35

PotM: Kerry Kelly (Castletown Spaniards)

Suntera Global Ballasalla Charlie 28,

Thompson Travel 2 - 36

PotM: Mika Chen (Thompson Travel 2)

Long & Humphrey Toomraiders 23,

Thompson Travel 3 25

PotM: Ellie Hughes (Thompson Travel 3)

Route 1 Turbos 28, Marbree Missfits B 36

PotM: Becky Pate (Marbree Missfits B)

Young Farmers A 36, Simcocks Green Eagles 15

PotM: Rachel Osborne (Young Framers A)

Division Two

Suntera Global Ballasalla Delta 26, Route 1 Volts 17

PotM: Freya Skillicorn (Ballasalla Delta)

Simcocks Silver Eagles 26, Ramsey Red 11

PotM: Roviana Szetu (Simcocks Silver)

Ramsey Black 23, Manx Gems Emeralds 34

PotM: Tori Leece (Manx Gems Emeralds)

Castletown Celts 17, WDS Ltd Young Farmers B 27

PotM: Hannah Moore (Young Farmers B)

Suntera Global Ballasalla Echo 27,

Simcocks White Eagles 16

PotM: Lauren Raatgever (Ballasalla Echo

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JUNIOR FIXTURES

Sunday, February 28

Under-17s League

9am NSC 2Castletown Jets

v Suntera Global Ballasalla 2

10am SNLS 1Suntera Global Ballasalla 3

v Manx Gems Crystals

11am SNLS 1 Suntera Global Ballasalla 4

v Ramsey Scarlett

11am SNLS 2 Ramsey Blacks

v Simcocks Crown Eagles

12pm SNLS 2Suntera Global Ballasalla 1

v Thompson White

Under-14s

Division One

10am NSC 2Simcocks Red Tails

v Castletown Stars

11am NSC 1 Route 1 Atoms v Manx Gems Diamonds

Division Two

9am SNLS 2 Simcocks Booted Eagles

v Castletown Rockets

10am SNLS 2Manx Gems Crystals

v Thompson Cats

12pm SNLS 1 Suntera Global Ballasalla A

v Ramsey Crimson

Division Three

9am SNLS 1Suntera Global Ballasalla B

v Castletown Comets

11am NSC 1Route 1 Amps

v Manx Gems Diamonds

12pm NSC 1Manx Gems Amethysts

v Ramsey Reds