First setback for netball league leaders
NETBALL first division leaders Kinetics suffered their first setback this week when they went down to second-placed Kiwis. The other match in the top tier saw AHS defeat Supernova by a 19-point margin. Division two pace-setters Challengers maintained their good start with another win while in the third division Scalloway Juniors and Lerwick Juniors both recorded victories.
Division One
Kinetics 34, Kiwis 40
The game started with fast, end-to-end play. In Kinetics’ defensive third Lesley Spence and Louise Kelly worked tirelessly in a bid to break the Kiwis attack. Luckily the hard work paid off and at the end of the first quarter Kinetics had pulled ahead to lead 10-8.
Kiwis’ fighting spirit came out in the second quarter with the duo of Manson and Clark finding the gaps in the circle and shooting well. The game was still close and both teams were battling for possession, Kiwis managing to take the score to 16-15 in their favour.
The third quarter again showed some determined netball with Kinetics getting some good interceptions in the defensive third. Emma Gray worked well in the circle, being pulled up to GS from her usual GD, converting the interceptions into well-deserved goals. Even with the absence of the formidable Grogan, Kinetics had managed to bring the score back their way to 29-26 at the end of the third quarter.
Going into the fourth quarter, Kiwis proved that the game was not yet over, coming out on the first centre with good passes, good linking play and connecting well as a team.
The Kiwis centre court players worked well defensively which resulted in some good interceptions and they pulled ahead. Kinetics seemed to admit defeat in the last minutes and pretty much gave up with Kiwis having a good run of goals.
Players of the match were Emma Gray for Kinetics and Marie Clark for Kiwis.
AHS 40, Supernova 21
This was an evenly matched first quarter with some great defensive skills on display by both teams. Sophie May Leyland and Emma Leask gained the advantage over the Nova shooters, ably supported by Sasha Wood while at the other end Stephanie Keith and Laura Mathieson were snatching the rebounds for Nova in the AHS attacking circle. Supernova led 7-6 going into the second quarter.
Inga Woods moved to GK with Leyland switching to centre and the second quarter continued in much the same manner as the first, both teams defensively strong but lacking firepower in their attacks. AHS edged ahead at 13-12 by half time.
A more focused and determined AHS emerged after the break with attacking players Christine Jamieson and Andrea Strachan finding form and feeding goal shooter Ava Sim who converted her shots to goals and very quickly the lead increased.
Supernova’s Hannah Burgess worked tirelessly in mid-court while Lois Gray’s accurate shooting enabled Supernova to reduce the lead in the latter stages of the period. The score stood at 23-17 with one quarter remaining.
The fourth quarter saw AHS explode into action. Their shooters were now finding the net with every shot, the mid-court players supporting them well with accurate passes with the defence piling on the pressure. Supernova had no response to the sudden change of pace and failed to stay with them.
Stephanie Keith for Supernova and Sophie May Leyland for AHS were voted players of the match.
Division Two
Mishaps 22, Challengers 46
Mishaps just didn’t seem up for the fight in their clash with the league leaders. Challengers quickly settled into a steady pattern with accurate passing in all areas of the court.
After the first five minutes Louise Johnson and Lindsey Pearson were shooting confidently from anywhere in the semi-circle and were also afforded the opportunities from their rebounds. On the other hand Mishaps struggled to find their form and made some careless unforced errors.
Mishaps’ Alicia Hunter and Marie Manson were being effectively marked by the Whalsay defence who made the most of their height advantage. The half time score saw Challengers lead by a whopping margin of 28-7.
Mishaps seemed to find their stride in the last 15 minutes of the game with some confident attacking passing from Suzanne Manson and Ann-Marie Goudie and assertive shooting from Marie Manson and Alicia Hunter. At the other end Elaine Jamieson was making some important interceptions from rebounds. This final burst was too little too late and Challengers ran out winners 46-22.
Challengers were strong in all areas of the court but Heather Williamson stood out at centre, supporting her team mates across all areas of the court. For Mishaps Suzanne Manson was best for her consistent hard work, good positioning and passing.
Division Three
Burra 10, Scalloway Juniors 37
The game started off at an extremely fast pace. Burra were missing some vital players which unsettled their team.
Scalloway Juniors quickly settled with accurate passing from Karen Bannister and Rowan Nicolson who fed the ball to their shooters Laura McIntyre and Julie Brown. They rarely missed a shot and the first quarter ended 5-2 to Scalloway Juniors.
In the second quarter Burra worked hard to stay in the game. Tight marking from goalkeeper Susan Laurenson made life difficult for Scalloway Juniors. However, Burra made a few mistakes and the first half ended 15-3 to Scalloway Juniors.
In the third quarter both teams made changes, Scalloway Juniors playing Cheryl Goodlad who was on top form and rarely missed a shot. Burra continued to work hard but Scalloway Juniors defence of Kirsty Duerden and Erin Sandison were too strong for Burra’s shooters. The quarter ended 25-6 to Scalloway Juniors.
In the final quarter Scalloway Juniors picked up their pace and really worked well as a team.
Burra’s new recruits of Joanne Anderson and Natalie Jamieson worked hard and played extremely well.
Susan Laurenson for Burra and Scalloway Juniors’ Kirsty Duerden were awarded the players of the match.
Lerwick Juniors 32, Mavericks 26
The first quarter was very tight with both teams determined to gain the lead. Sarah Groat for Lerwick Juniors was impressive and busy around the court. Allie Elphinstone for Mavericks stood out with her fast and incisive passing. However, at the end of the first quarter Lerwick Juniors managed to lead 8-7.
In the second quarter the shooting duo of Louise Jamieson and Sadie Tait for Lerwick Juniors managed to have some success against the strong Maverick defence. Lerwick Juniors then seemed to get tired and Mavericks pounced on this opportunity with amazing shooting and linking from shooters Freda Leask and Chloe Miller to make it 19-14 to Lerwick Juniors.
After the break it was all to play for and another close quarter saw end to end action. But the defence of Alice Unsworth and Katie McMillan for Lerwick Juniors managed to keep the Mavericks score down to keep them in the lead at 32-18.
Amber Inkster at centre for Mavericks also played well with good marking and strong, accurate passes. However, it was not enough to break the Lerwick Juniors lead.
Players of the match were Chloe Miller for Mavericks and Sarah Groat and Louise Jamieson for Lerwick Juniors.
Senior county trials
Shetland Ladies Netball Association is holding trials at Clickimin on 23rd November, 30th November and 7th December from 5.15pm to 6.45pm. All players aged 16 and over are welcome to attend. Players must attend at least two out of the three dates to be considered for the squads.
