Premier Division

Simcocks Blue 23-34

Thompson 1

The opening Premier Division fixture of Manx Netball Association’s 20-21 season took place at the National Sports Centre on Sunday.

The match in question pitted Simcock’s Blue and Thompson 1 against each other, having finished sixth and fourth last season respectively.

Thompson started the brighter of the two teams and converted early with good accuracy from Fern Cross (GA), while the Simcocks’ defensive duo of GK Emma Wilcox and GD Fi Clark-Wilson worked hard to restrict their chances.

Simcocks were missing their usual WD Hannah Drewett and struggled to counter Thompson’s attack, with some good movement from Natalie Christian (C) and Lexa Hattersley (WA) providing good circle support.

Simcocks’ attack was put under huge pressure from the Christian sisters of Charlotte (GK) and Molly (GD) and uncharacteristically struggled to convert early chances.

In the second quarter they started to find their rhythm though, with some timely runs from Sophie Howland (WA) and Bayleigh Mitchell (C) patiently feeding the shooting duo of Aalish Bridson (GA) and Katie Reubens (GS) who converted more confidently.

The southern team finally gelled together in the third quarter, moving Helen Mason to WA and Katie Quine to GS. Spurred on by a solid controlling attacking display by Aalish Bridson (GA), Simcocks took the third quarter by a single goal.

The fourth period saw Thompson capitalise on some unforced errors and they steadily increased their lead

The final score was Thompson 34-23, a great game played by both teams.

Not surprisingly, Lexa Hattersley was voted Thompson’s player of the match for her fine attacking display.

Division One

Manx Gem Sapphires 19,

Ballasalla Charlie 42.

Ballasalla Charlie were first to open the scoring in this Division One match featuring new signings for both teams.

Manx Gem Sapphires, now sponsored by Island Tyres and Exhausts, responded with some fantastic defensive work from GD Di Cregeen and GD Jess Hawkins, working well with the ball in mid-court and continuing to apply the pressure.

Ballasalla GS Kath Kermode and GA Amelia Quinn worked very well together and converted their shots successfully as their side quickly took a five-goal lead by the end of the first quarter.

Sapphires made some changes in the second quarter, with Alex Wilson-Spratt coming in as WA and Sabrina Crowe GK. Ballasalla kept the pace up and dominated much of the quarter as Gems struggled to convert their opportunities successfully thanks to some great defending from Balla’s WD Janet Sayle and GK Sarah Lister.

The southerners strengthened their lead despite WD Lynette Corran working tirelessly in mid-court to overturn the ball for Gems and the half-time score was 21-8 to Ballasalla.

The second half saw Gems settle into the game and they began to convert their chances. GA Gill Festorazzi and GS Trudi Halsall started to work well together and linked up with WA Alex and C Dawn Pugh.

This was a good period of the game for Gems and Lisa Fitzgerald made some great interceptions as WD.

But Balla were too strong and continued to respond, applying the pressure in defence and capitalising on turnovers to lead 30-14 by the end of the quarter.

The last period saw the southerners maintain their dominance of the game, with WA Megan Carey feeding the ball successfully into the circle to extend their lead further.

Gems continued to battle for every ball but Balla proved too strong and surged forward with a flurry of goals to win 42-19. PotM: Steph Haslett for Ballasalla Charlie.

Division Two

Route 1 Volts, 13,

Young Farmers B 47

One of the opening games in Division Two was between WDS Young Farmers and Route 1 Volts, two teams who had not previously played against each other.

The first quarter ended 13-4 to Farmers whose attack dominated thanks to great shooting from Anna Higgins and Rachel Osborne.

In the second quarter, Farmers maintained their form and led at half-time 27-5.

Route 1 worked the ball around the D consistently, but the Farmers defence was able to turn it around and bring the ball back to their attack.

Hannah Moore and Alice Forster kept Farmers’ defence cool and composed with great interceptions, while there was also some impressive work from centre Abby Jackson who worked the court effortlessly throughout.

In the third quarter, Route 1 shooters Sarah Morgan and Bliss Murtagh brought their score to 11 goals as they worked well together, but struggled at times with the strength of their opponents’ defence.

Farmers’ WA Suzanne Slater provided consistent support for Osborn (GA) who had a phenomenal game and was deservedly named player of the match.

Going into the final quarter, Route 1 did not give up and fought for every ball, making the most of each centre pass, but the Farmers’ consistent shooting helped them win the match 47-13.