Manx Netball results from games played on Sunday, February 7:

Premiership

Simcocks Gold Eagles 16

v Thompson Travel 1 - 24

It was an exciting morning for both Thompson and Simcocks as they took to the court in one of the first games to reintroduce Manx netball after the circuit-breaker lockdown.

In light of the current situation, both teams welcomed university returnees to their sides which boosted the sides and promised for a competitive match.

Thompson started the better and achieved a six-goal lead at the quarter-break, with Anne-Marie Crompton and Alice Cross linking well in the circle to convert.

As the game progressed and each team started to find their feet, the defensive trio of Charlotte Christian, Molly Christian, and Ella Clague (Thompson) ensured the attacking duo of Poppy Bowman/Heather Parsons and Cristina Salinardi (Simcocks) were unable to penetrate the circle and convert goals as they knew they could.

This meant that the girls in purple went into the half-time break with 14 goals compared to Simcocks’ five.

Changes in positions and fresh legs in both teams for the second half saw a renewed energy in the game. Simcocks’ centre court players Leanne Faragher and Jen Callister made it much tougher for Nan Williams, Lexa Hattersley and Fern Christian to pass the ball round and feed the circle with the ease and success they had previously.

But the Thompson girls ensured they started this set of fixtures on a win with the final score Thompson Travel 24, Simcock’s Gold 16, with player of the match going to Ella Clague from Thompson.

Division One

Castletown Spaniards 31, Route 1 Turbos 27

Both teams came out determined and demonstrated some great movement from their centre passes, securing goals for each side. At the end of the first quarter, Spaniards led by two goals.

The second quarter was very much goal-for-goal as the two outfits worked hard. Spaniards’ GA Sara Collister and GS Zoe Ludford-Brooks along with Turbos’ shooters Ella Page and Elena Reid showcased their excellent shooting skills.

In the third quarter Spaniards came out fighting: their defence in the circle was fantastic, with GK Bree McLaughlin and GD Ruth Kinnish working well together.

They tried a more of an attacking game plan, which paid off as Spaniards won this quarter by five goals.

In the final quarter, Turbos played a strong game including fast balls flowing through midcourt, with their WA Becky Lamb really helping her team to come back against Spaniards and providing her shooters with plenty of opportunities to reduced the goal difference.

With an unfortunate injury in the last few seconds, Turbos did take the last quarter by three goals but Spaniards held onto their lead and won the match 31-27, with a well-deserved PotM going to Turbos’ Lamb.

Division Two

WDS Ltd Young Farmers B 20, Suntera Global

Ballasalla Delta 12

WDS Young Farmers played Suntera Global Ballasalla Delta in the first game of the second half of the season.

After six weeks off both teams were eager to get back on the court and the first quarter ended 3-3, with each side finding their feet and getting back into the game.

The second period saw more goals, with the teams playing equally as well.

Delta’s centre Freya Skillicorn and WA Hollie McGowan worked hard to support their shooters around the circle, helping them to bring their score to seven, while the Young Farmers edged quarter with eight goals.

The third quarter was a good one for the Farmers. Balla defenders Gemma Kermode and Victoria Watson worked tirelessly to try and get the interceptions into the circle, but Farmers’ strong feeds in and brilliant shooting from both GA Nicci Cain and GS Anna Higgins resulted in the third quarter finishing 15-8 to their side.

Jo Hicks, GS for Delta, helped them bring their score up in the final quarter with her great shooting, but Farmers’ defence fought for each rebound and Hannah Moore (GD) brought the ball back up to the attacking third, helping Farmers to win overall 20-12.

The game was played well by both teams, with Nicci Cain (GA) claiming the player of the match award.