Double triumph for Shetland netball team in Scottish Cup

Shetland senior netball team returned triumphant from their recent trip to Glasgow competing in the group stages of the 2012 Scottish Cup.

Their first match was against Strathclyde University who play first division Glasgow league netball and featured ex-Shetland player Inga Woods in their line-up.

Karen Bannister made her Shetland debut playing WD, WA and C during this match in a performance which will surely see her pulling on the blue jersey many more times in the future.

Shetland were up 12-6 after the first quarter and led by 28-12 at half-time. A blistering third quarter performance saw a nervous university team under-perform with Shetland increasing their lead to 52-17. With no way back for Strathclyde Shetland played out the remaining 15 minutes, taking the match 64-32.

The next game was against Helensburgh and with confidence running high in the Shetland squad they were able to put pressure on the Helensburgh attack from the outset, forcing many errors. With accurate shooting and slick mid-court play the game was never in doubt. The quarter scores were 21-6, 41-13, 56-20 and 77-32.

Coach Valerie Morrison said: “To come away with two convincing wins while trying out a number of different playing combinations is really pleasing and we now look forward to the challenge of the knockout stages.”

Representing Shetland were Andrea Tait, Hazel Uren, Karen Bannister, Kirsti Leask, Lisa Morrison, Louise Moar, Maisie Unsworth, Marie Clark and Vicki Henderson.