SMP Ballasalla B 44 v Magic Carpets 34
SMP Ballasalla B played Magic Carpets in an important game for Ballasalla if they’re to retain their position in the Premier Division.
SMP settled well with Carol Bestwick in only her second week as a GS shooting confidently. Kerry Kelly at C for Magic Carpets worked hard in the centre court to bring the ball up to the reliable shooting duo of Nina Corrin and Sara Collister who rarely missed a shot throughout the match. However when they were off target Gemma White was picking up the rebounds confidently for Ballasalla.By quarter time Ballasalla had a four goal advantage at 13 – 9.
The second quarter swung back and forwards with Magic pulling back level only for Ballasalla to draw away again and at half time Ballasalla were still holding on to a four goal lead.
Ballasalla took the half time opportunity to bring on fresh legs with Kirri and Penny Woodbridge being replaced by Rachel Quayle and Jane Reynolds.With the Magic defence of Ali Crebbin and Ruth Kennnish working hard and fighting for every ball Ballasalla won the third quarter by just one goal.
So with just a five goal difference both teams knew they had everything to play for. However by this time Ballasalla had settled into their game and with Ann-Marie Crompton getting used to the GA position and Rachel Quayle making some great interceptions they took control of the final quarter extending their lead by give goals to win 44-34.
This moves Ballasalla out of the relegation zone, but with games against their own A team and C&S A coming up it’s not going to be an easy end to the season.
POTM - Anne Marie Crompton (SMP Ballasalla B)
Team DQ 59 v Fencibles B 8
This was always going to be a tough game for the Fencibles girls with the strong defence of Helen Doolan & Hannah Taylor, the girls didn't get much chance at goal, the DQ girls kept the pace and strength throughout the game and kept things very tight making it hard for the Fencibles girls to get any clean passes. DQ Shooter Dani Kelly held her space well and linked well with Emma Qualtrough Leah Duffy-Stevenson and Aoife O'Mahony coped well under the pressure of these shooters but the experience showed through and DQ took the game easily 59-8.
POTM - Hannah Taylor (Team DQ)
Pokerstars 41 v Manx Glass Saints 18
The game between these two sides is always a tough one and one to watch, and it started well with both sides going goal for goal with Kira mcAteer making some well deserved interceptions for the Pokerstars girls. the second half saw Pokerstars make some changes and take to the court with more determination winning most of the contested balls and the movement of Beckie King opened up play nicely for them, providing great links with Katie Debnam and Natalie Christian, however the Saints girls fought hard with Kym kicklin and Satah Breen playing well together and making the Pokerstars girls work hard for the ball, but Becca Cubbon and Beckie King were on top form and hardly missed a shot. The third quarter saw Saints up their game but I think it was too late and the Pokerstars girls had the upper hand, the last , quarter proved this with Lisa Martin and Hollie Bass only alowong 2 goals in which helped the Pokerstars girls with their win 41-18.
POTM - Becky King (Pokerstars)
C&S Red 58 v Thompson A 25
C&S started the game strong, but this didn't put the Thompson girls off as they played out of their skins today and gave the C&S girls something to think about. C&S were missing Louise Duncan, but Lucy Titley was played up from their Blue team fitted in perfectly, the link between Lucy and Ellan Charmer worked well for the girls and made it very difficult for pip Cross and Lesley Patterspj to get a first shot on goal, at the other end however, there was no stopping the C&S shooters, with Erin Keggen on Fire, it was a tough game for Kirree Kermode and Charlotte Christian. Hannah Kermode placing perfect passes into Erin from mid court, saw the C&S girls slowly pull away from Thompson. This was a great game to watch and Erin Keggen took the balls gracefully out of the air and finished off the shots perfectly, Chloe Swales was very strong through mid court for her team and made Kirree Kermode work really hard, Chloe also made some great shots and the girls played really well!! Thompson made things hard for the C&S girls and made them work for every ball, there was some lovely netball played during this game and both teams should be pleased with their performances. C&S came out on top winning 58-25.
POTM - Erin Keggen (C&S Red)
Thomspon D 21 v Bobby Sadler Young Farmers 14
The Young Farmers team came in to this game as the favourites and after taking the first goal from a Thompson centre it looked like it would be their game. Play stalled though as both team struggled to find their form with errors on both sides. The first quarter finished 3 - 2 in Farmers' favour.
Both teams seemed to return after the break with a new found determination. Young Farmer's Lou Slater provided great stability throughout the court and linked in well with Cheryl Curphey and Hannah Moore in defence. It was Thompson who were better able to convert their determination in to goals with some great shots from Ella Clague and Katie Hill meaning the quarter finished 11 - 7 to Thompson.
The third quarter saw a resurgence from the Farmers side even with Verity Almond and Roisin Ashley making life difficult for the Farmers shooters. They were given great support from Suzanne Slater in the mid court. Although there were some great turnovers from Thompson, they panicked and lost momentum.
Thompson worked hard in the last quarter to grow the number of goals with the match finishing 21 - 14 to Thompson and a very well deserved POTM accolade for GA Ella Clague. Report as featured on Isle of Man Netball Association website
POTM - Ella Clague (Thompson D)
