2nds Vs Highlanders, 21st April
Line Up: Marissa, Janelle, Anna, Ella, Marnie, Amanda, Grace, Bel.
In complete contrast to the conditions we were originally meant to be playing, the 2nds finished their season with a catch up match against Highlanders in what could only be called perfect netball conditions – the sun was out, there was no wind, the court was immaculate. We knew we had a tough battle on our hands as they’d recently beaten the top of the table, but the lure of promotion kept us focused and determined to bring it.
Our team has been plagued by pregnancies, holiday’s, injuries and various work commitments and today was just the same, so it took the first quarter to really settle into the game. Goal for goal, it went, until they broke our attack and managed to score. Not about to let them away with it, we managed to capitalise on a turnover bringing it back to evens. This went on throughout the game, with us managing to get ahead by 4, they clawed back to 2 ahead and so on and so on…
Unfortunately Grace’s back injury meant she could only manage half a game (young people these days…) so Marissa moved to GK and Marnie came in to shoot. And still the battle continued, every time we got a lead, they counter-attack right back, and managed this right at the final whistle.
Final score 44-all.
MOM – Janelle
Although it wasn’t a win, it was enough to secure us second place in the league – a phenomenal result given the upsets we’d endured this season. Bring on next season, we’ll be ready!
If only our last match reported previously was in fact the last match. Quite frankly we met with a bit of a whitewash in the final 2 rescheduled matches of the season. We managed to squeeze a point out of getting half the score against Rushmoor, but just missed this hurdle against Guildford. The latter was played on a Tuesday night at 8pm when normally any self-respecting member of the Social Team is half-way through a bottle of wine or in bed already. Therefore, although disappointing, it was not totally unsurprising! Final scores were 43-25 vs Rushmoor and 47-23 vs Guildford. This left us finishing the season mid-table in 5th place and remaining in Surrey Division 2, our current league. We can pat ourselves on the back for having the biggest positive goal difference out of all 8 teams, so well done us!
On behalf of Zoe and myself, thanks to you all for your commitment to the team throughout the season. We had some memorable moments and, most of all, lots of fun. Enjoy the summer off and the inimitable Social Team will reconvene in September.
Match Report: 4ths Vs Pleiades
Line up:
Rachel S
Sarah CC
Jess T
Katie C
Miranda
Katy B
Lisa T
Josie
A bright and sunny Saturday and we were wishing the match was outdoors… well not really because who are we kidding, we are totally an indoor team.
The final match of the season and we were ready to end on a high. First quarter we came out determined to get a good start. We got the first few goals and Pleiades responded with vigour. Some great defending by Josie and Lisa, nice space down the court and conversions meant we ended the quarter with a slight lead, 10-7.
Second quarter we continued with the pressure, really focussed on keeping to our game plan. It’s all about us so I’ll just say that we continued to play really well. They were playing OK too – which meant we stayed level for the quarter, and managed to retain the lead at half time, 20-17.
Half time saw a few changes – Jess moving into the goal circle and proving once again what a super shooter she is. There was constant pressure – Katy B had some amazing tips around the circle and was relentless with the pressure. The umpire had a few words of advice – but everyone kept their cool. They certainly weren’t letting up but we managed to sneak a few more goals ahead, 29-24.
The final quarter something happened – Pleiades were wiped off the court. After playing a really close game for three quarters, we stepped it up and didn’t let up for the full 15 minutes. We restricted them to only 4 goals and made few mistakes. A wonderful display of netball – great passing, nice strong leads, brilliant shooting and sublime defence.
Final score: 43-28
MOM: Jess – Super Captain and thoroughly deserved for a sterling game at WA/GA
A perfect end to the season – we were genuinely delighted to finish with such a great team effort – really showing how far the team has come. Much thanks to Anna (and Marnie) for all of their coaching direction throughout the year.
Match Report: 1sts Vs The Downs, 27th April
Last County game and the toughest game of the season.
Line up – Kath, Apples, SJB, Marisa, T, Rosie, Sammi, Gilly, Chief
What a great way to end the season playing against Downs, who ranks top of the county league. We knew it was going to be a very tough game, and we had nothing to lose, Downs was the team under pressure. They beat us fair and square previously – all the more reason why we decided we are going to bring it all!
Throughout the first half we were up by one or two the entire time – a brilliant start to the game. We had them worried – and with good reason – we were feisty and ready to work hard in bringing the ball down court with every turn over. It was such a physical and psychological game and as in every head-on clash, we rose to the occasion and met them for a glorious show-down! T, Sammi & SJB was working tremendously hard in defence – the absolute brilliance in their working together saw every ball Downs sent down court turn into a 50/50 chance of getting our hands on the ball – no easy passes allowed! The first phase of defence was sustained by the second phase and we saw intercepts, tips, tremendous jumps and all round brilliance at work! Through mid court Kath, Rosie and Apples had to make clever split second decisions to play at our own pace and not allowing Downs to manipulate our placement on court. Even thought they tried, we had great presence of mind to dodge, move on to the ball and keep on our toes. In attack we didn’t revert back to our normal overheads as they anticipated it and worked great triangles to ensure we get it as close to the post as possible.
During the second half, Downs definitely stepped up their game. What they might have thought could possibly be an easy game, wasn’t. We had fresh legs in the form of Chief and Gilly who could help keep up with the change in pace and game plan. Much to the delight of those on and off the court, we had a squealing Gilly when she was clear open across court, bringing laughter and all round fun. Chief and Kath formed the formidable wall past which Downs struggled to get clear passes. Unfortunately, Downs is also top of the league for a reason. On this occasion, they were just that tiny bit better than us to turn over a loose ball here and there and converting it immediately. Towards the end of Q3 we were trailing by 4 or 5. Downs finished the game 9 up. This is however not a reflection of us relenting, rather than their tactics changing throughout. We did very well and hassled to the very end! Overall, a tough fair game – we had fun and that warm fuzzy feeling of just absolutely going out there and giving it our all. It almost felt like a win. Final score 55-46 to Downs, putting us second in the County league.
http://www.clubleague.co.uk/Public/Portal/ViewDivision.aspx?cid=358&did=2094
We had fantastic support from the sidelines – NUNS Mens supporters Club and friends were out in full force –who cheered on all the way and the positivity that floated round was truly awesome!
MOM- Marisa
A huge thank you to Joan for our coaching and working with us to the very bitter end to ensure we gave it everything we had! Massive thanks to brilliant T for her leadership and being such an awesome Captain and to Rosie for her role as Vice Captain and support to T and the rest of the players.
We really missed three members of our team – we lost Loz to knee injury and Suz & Lucy to discovering the world. We also lost Apples to a broken wrist and elbow in this game against Downs – get well soon Apples!
