Netball roundup!

U14As

It has been a busy few weeks for the U14A team. Before half-term, they travelled to Ipswich High for one of their last league matches with only the bare 7. The girls knew this was going to be their toughest game yet as Ipswich High’s U14s had made it through to the Regional competition back in January. From the starting whistle, the girls cannot be faulted for how they approached the game with dedication, determination and want for the ball. Katy Garnett and Maddie Felton both had a storming game shooting and hardly missed, and Eleanor Berridge and Mollie Biddle kept the pressure on the opposition’s shooters. Zara Lye made her debut for the A team and played an absolute blinder – especially after feeling very anxious about playing! Chloe Outen and Flora Johnston played faultlessly in the centre court and supported their attackers superbly. Well done girls on an excellent performance – definitely the best of the season so far!       Won 23 – 12

St Joseph’s game was a completely different story after half-term, as the girls did not want it as badly as the Ipswich High game. However, after a shaky start, with the ball being thrown away at every opportunity, we managed to regain our composure and begin to think about our movement both on and off the ball. Even after the opposition putting on a younger and more experienced player, to help their team succeed, our girls managed to hold it together and fight until the final whistle. Luckily we won – by 2 goals!!        Won 11 – 9

A friendly match v St Felix, enabled us to include Florence Appell and Ella Sambrook into the mix. This was a scrappy game to begin with, but at half-time, the girls began to think about their dodging and passing down court, which enabled us to take control of the game. A good performance from all and whichever combination played, every one gave it their all. Well done!       Won 21 – 9

U12As

The U12As have had an extremely busy few weeks with matches v Culford, The Abbey, Ipswich High and St Jo’s, not forgetting to mention the South Suffolk tournament too.

In our matches against Culford’s U12A & B teams, we showed superb team work and communication, enabling us to get away with a strong lead in the first half. Going into the 2^nd half 6 – 0 up, the team knew they had to work hard to prevent Culford from scoring whilst trying to increase our score. At the final whistle, the girls knew they had achieved what they set out to do. Instead of playing South Lee’s U11A team, as this was arranged as a triangular, we played Culford’s U12B team. The team should be pleased with their performance – especially as positions were swapped around, enabling the girls to prove their worth on a netball court.    v U12As Won 10 – 1 & v U12B Won 15 – 0

We knew the fixture v Ipswich High was going to be our toughest yet, so the girls warmed up and prepared themselves both physically and mentally. In the past, it has taken a quarter to get into the games we have been playing, but not on this occasion, we had to put in 100% from the starting whistle and the girls cannot be faulted for their grit and determination. Our movement down the court was not only superb, but effective and enabled us to lose our defenders, therefore keeping possession of the ball. An excellent team effort by all – and some of the best netball this team have played. With the score 6 – 6 at half time and 11 – 10 to us at the end of the 3^rd quarter, the girls had to give everything they had in the last quarter to ensure we came away with a win. The ball was going from end to end, with a goal being scored every time. Finally, we managed to close IHS down and score on their centre, therefore going ahead by 1 goal. This was the crucial point as it made us realise we could win the game – and we did. Well done girls!!         Won 16 – 12

After a successful Friday afternoon of netball against The Abbey, where the As won 22 – 4, even with every single girl playing a number of positions, including shooters, it was an early Saturday morning match v St Jo’s next on the agenda. The girls were in good spirits as they had had a successful week. Their performance cannot be faulted as they applied themselves in exactly the same way as the Ipswich High game and played some excellent netball. Preventing their opposition from scoring half was their target – which they achieved!! Well done!!        Won 37 – 15