Team Rowley edge to win over Whalsay in netball first division clash

Team Rowley narrowly saw off Whalsay in the latest round of netball first division matches while Unst went down again, this time to AHS. Challengers and Mishaps both had wins in division two while in the third division Da Hooligans and Scallywags were victorious.

Division One

Unst 17, AHS 36
After a close encounter early in the season, in which AHS came out narrow winners, both teams were ready to meet again. Unst started well and managed to turn over the first centre pass and quickly get on the score sheet. The play was fast and furious with some fantastic interceptions by the young AHS side enabling them to take the lead and end the first quarter 9-3 ahead.

The high pace continued and Unst were finding it difficult to get the final ball into young shooters Chelsea Jamieson and Debbie Smith. The AHS defence of Emma Leask and Sophie May Leyland made things really difficult for the shooters but they kept battling and continued to find the net under the pressure. In the opposite shooting circle the AHS girls were on form and hardly missing a shot, increasing the lead at half time to 17-9.

AHS continued to control the remainder of the game with fast and accurate passing and excellent movement throughout the court. Inga Woods at centre really made a mark on the game in the final quarter, making several tips and interceptions on the Unst centre passes and the AHS team were 19 points ahead at the final whistle.

The player of the match awards went to Unst goal shooter Chelsea Jamieson and AHS centre Inga Woods.

Team Rowley 32, Whalsay 30
Both teams were keen to secure a win after a very close encounter in their previous match, where Whalsay won by one goal. It was TR who settled first, with some excellent defending interceptions by Brenda Leask and Maisie Unsworth, and after the first quarter they led 8-5.

In the second quarter TR stepped up a gear and Leask and Unsworth continued to defend well, making vital interceptions. The interceptions were quickly converted into goals with some outstanding shooting from Dawn Manson in the TR circle, which allowed them to storm to a 21-9 lead.

TR made a few changes to the line-up and a more determined Whalsay emerged from the half time talk.  Whalsay showed great patience feeding the ball in to shooters Vaila Kay and June Williamson in the third quarter and as a result managed to narrow the gap to 27-20.

The last quarter was frantic with Whalsay fighting hard to complete their comeback and claim a win. However, TR fought hard as a team and managed to do just enough to hold on to their lead with the final score 32-30.

Both sides displayed excellent team efforts, but it was Maisie Unsworth who stood out for TR, for her excellent defending and vital interceptions and Catherine Williamson for Whalsay with her steady linking play and tireless running.

Division Two

Challengers 30, Wastside 28
Wastside got off to a raging start, and with impeccable shooting from Catherine Henry and Mhairi Moncrieff took a comfortable lead in the first quarter.

Challengers slowly began to find their form with Heather Williamson and Kathleen Jamieson working hard in centre court and in turn spurring on their team. Wastside defenders Julie and Shona Keith were quick to close down the opposition and made numerous timely interceptions.

By the third quarter, however, Challengers had managed to claw back their deficit and with the game poised at 21-21, all was to play for in the final stages.

Challengers stepped up a gear with Maree Simpson and Lynsey Pearson determined to break up the Wastside attack. In a fast and furious finale, Challengers managed to take the lead in what was an exciting match.

Players of the match were Wastside’s Catherine Henry and Challengers’ Maree Simpson.

Supernova 22, Mishaps 30
This match started off with some fast and furious play by both teams but Mishaps settled down earlier than the young Supernova line-up. Supernova’s mid court players worked tirelessly to get the ball into the shooting circle, where Stephanie Keith and Sadie Tait swiftly converted them. At the end of the first quarter Supernova were just in the lead by at 7-6.

The second quarter saw a determined effort by the whole Mishaps team, fighting for every ball. Despite Supernova’s defending, Marie Manson and Leanna Tait rarely missed a goal and took Mishaps into a four-goal lead by half time at 17-13.

Half time saw both teams make changes to their line-up with Supernova bringing on Lois Gray and Alice Unsworth and Mishaps introducing Emma Inkster. Both teams continued to fight hard but Mishaps managed to maintain a convincing lead.

The final quarter saw Supernova starting to struggle, while Mishaps continued to increase their lead and they deservedly won the match.

Players of the match were Hannah Burgess for Supernova and Megan Keppie for Mishaps for their tireless and determined defending throughout.

Division Three

Scalloway Juniors 16, Da Hooligans 32
The match started with some determined play from both sides, with Da Hooligans taking the lead in the first quarter at 6-2.

In the second and third quarters, good defence from Lisa Smith meant that the Scalloway Juniors found it difficult to pull it back, despite the determination from shooters Laura McIntyre and Julie Brown.

The third quarter ended 24-11, with Da Hooligans remaining in the lead.

In the final quarter, good defending from Lindsey Manson and Kirsty Duerden meant that Da Hooligans shooter Caroline Shearer found it difficult to find the net. However, accurate shooting and good linking play from Zoe Irvine meant that the game still ended in Da Hooligans’ favour.

Special mention should be given to Rachel Young and Nicole Mouat for playing well in their debut for Scalloway.

Player of the match for Da Hooligans was Zoe Irvine and for Scalloway Juniors it was Julie Brown for her accuracy at shooting.

Burra 16, Scallywags 28
The first quarter saw Scallywags take an early lead as Burra was slow to settle. Good attacking play from centre court players Gwen Malcolmson and Nicola Smith and accurate passing to shooters Ann-Marie Robinson and Cindy Pottinger saw Scallywags take the lead at 7-3.

The second quarter saw little change. Caroline Tait and Heather Henry defended well but Scallywags came away with a big lead at 17-4.

Burra came back more determined with great play from Kristin Robertson saw Burra receiving more balls to their shooter Bethany Laurenson. Marie Sharp and Susan Laurenson, defending well together, saw the score at 22-11 to Scallywags.

In the final quarter Burra defender Kirsty Halcrow got some good interceptions and rebounds but Scallywags, with their accurate shooting and great passing, had the upper hand.

Heather Henry and Alexis Jamieson were players of the match for Burra while Laura Saunders and Gwen Malcolmson stood out for Scallywags.