Latest reports and results from Isle of Man Netball league games played on Sunday, December 5:

Premier Division.

Thompson Travel 1 - 40,

Simcocks Gold Eagles 30

As always, this mid-table clash was going to be competitive and could go either way with both teams needing the three points before the Christmas break.

The game started strongly for Thompson with the defensive duo of Anne-Marie Crompton (GK) and Molly Christian (GD) working well together, intercepting and rebounding in the Simcocks attacking circle.

This meant the ball could be carried through the mid-court players of Mika Chen (WD), Ella Crowe (C) and Fern Christian (WA) into the shooters to ensure a first-quarter lead of 13-5 to Thompson.

The break came at a good time for Simcocks who were able to reset and make changes which saw Leanne Faragher move into the defensive circle, with Ashley Skelly subsequently making it much more physical for the Thompson shooters of Kym Hicklin (GS) and Sam Dunn (GA).

As such, they restricted the scoring to only five and therefore the half-time score was 18-13 to Thompson.

Unfortunately an injury to Sam Dunn forced changes for Thompson, with Ella Clague coming on at WA and Fern Christian moving to GA. But this did not phase the girls in purple who were able to put 13 goals on the board compared to Simcocks’ six.

The final quarter saw Simcocks play the better netball, with Helena Allen (GS) and Ella Paige (GA) converting consistently, but unfortunately this was too late in the game to have an impact on the final score.

Thompson ultimately came out 40-30 winners and their GD Molly Christian was named player of the match.

Championship

Atla Group Pumas 53,

Simcocks Green Eagles 18

The game started strong for Simcocks who found themselves 2-0 up thanks to some excellent shooting from Niamh Coole (GS) and Hannah Skehan (GA).

But Atla Group Pumas then turned the score around, resulting in a 12-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Pumas continued in the second quarter as strongly as they had ended the first, with fine shooting from Alex Cashin (GA) and Hazel Bailey (GS).

Simcocks worked hard but could not make a dent into Pumas’ lead, therefore the second quarter finished 26-8 in favour of Pumas.

Simcocks made a slight comeback in the third quarter with great intercepts and marking from Claire Parker (GK) and Rachel Craig (GD), but their opponents continued to press on and extended their lead, with the third period finishing 40-15.

In the final quarter, Simcocks fought hard and played their game with some great tips from Ashley Skelly (GD) and Freya de Backer (WD), but Pumas’ Breeshey Harkin (C) used her height as an advantage in gaining interceptions.

There were some great drives from Simcocks’ Georgia Mitchell (GS) who passed the ball beautifully to Niamh Coole (GA) who managed to capitalise on these.

Simcocks didn’t give up and played a good game against Pumas but just couldn’t make it work on the day. Player of the match was awarded to Pumas’ Bailey.

Division One

Simcocks Silver Eagles 30, Suntera Global Ballasalla Earthquakes 18

This was the final game of 2021 and what a feisty one it was, with both teams eager for the win.

It was Simcocks who got off to a flying start, with Niamh Coole (GA) and Holly Saxon (GS) dominating the attacking circle while the defensive duo of Freya De Backer (GD) and Claire Parker (GK) successfully kept the Ballasalla attackers at bay.

Therefore the score at the end of the opening quarter was 9-3 to their team.

There were no changes for Simcocks in the second quarter, but Ballasalla switched Holly McGowan into WA where she worked well with Megan Carey (C) and they were able to bring the ball down court and deliver some great passes to Rebecca Hands (GA) and Ciara Jackson (GS).

After this, the half-time score was 17-8 to Simcocks.

A couple of position changes for Simcocks in the second half saw Victoria Waterhouse (GD) and Sarah Cain (WD) strengthen the Simcocks defence and they were determined to hold Ballasalla off, managing to do so with some crucial interceptions.

The third period is always a ’make or break’ quarter and Simcocks continued to press and test Ballasalla’s defence of Alicia Kewley (GD) and Claire Crowe (GK).

Simcocks’ Alice Leadbeater-Terris (C) drove to dictate play in the centre third and the third quarter saw Silvers’ lead extend even further with a 12-goal difference going into the final quarter.

Ballasalla kept their heads high and, with Jo Hicks at GA, she ensured that her team got a thoroughly deserved point. It was a great game to play and spectate and what a way to finish for the Christmas break.

The final score ended 30-18 to Simcocks Silver, with player of the match going to Sarah Cain (Simcocks).

l Senior fixtures will resume on Sunday, January 9.