Match Reports: 17/09/2022
Winter League 2022/2023 Round 1
Following the fast and furious matches of the tournament for the first week of the season – with the first silverware of the 2022/23 season going to the Foxton Mavericks trophy cabinet, and a break last week in respect of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, it was back to business as usual for the MH Netball League this weekend with a full programme of fixtures.
Turners Tornadoes v Foxton Flyers
The teams took to the court with enthusiasm and determination, after one-minute silence, in honour of our late Queen Elizabeth II. The game was tight from the start with players from both teams to fighting for every goal. The first quarter ended neck and neck, at 8-8 following a couple of tricky shots taken by Sara Mangan.
The continued on-target shooting from Flyers allowed them to pull ahead in the second quarter. The lead didn’t last for long as Turners tighten up their defense with strength in play from Sherelle PB. The strong defense succeeded in slowing Flyers’ attack, allowing Turners to overtake and stretch ahead despite brilliant connecting play and on target feeds from Flyers’ centre court, Lara Parekh-Downes & Emma McNamara. At the final whistle Turners took the win, 41-36.
Siamo Sirens vs Harborough Harriers
The clash between these regulars of the MH netball league was a fast and furious, loud and exciting match, entertaining from start to finish. Harriers took the first quarter 13-6 despite some amazing shots from Sirens’ Catherine King scoring points from all over the circle. Not taking the first quarter lying down, Sirens came out strong with fantastic mid court link up play from Laura Stuckley.
The score remained on the side of Harriers at half time buoyed by some remarkable turnovers from Jess Davies, their centre court superstar. Kerri Colquhoun in Wing Attack for Harriers led her team out in the final quarter with supportive, adventurous and risky plays using the full width and length of the court driving forwards. Harriers took the match 48-33.
Club Correze vs A-Plan Emeralds
The newest team to join the league through the ever popular Back 2 Netball sessions of last season, A-Plan, took on Club Correze in the second rung of the afternoon’s matches. As ever, Correze were fast out of the blocks, sinking 11 points in the first quarter through their remarkable GA Kim Walton. Becca Wayman in her preferred Centre spot for Correze, passed beautifully into the strong and sure attacking circle.
A-Plan were pinned for most of the match, despite causing a number of turnovers and forcing some errors in the Correze attack. Harriet Croft at Centre showed great skill and stamina throughout and Fiona French was tireless in her attempts to steal the ball in the Correze circle in her role as defender. The final score saw Correze bag all 8 points taking the match 56-11.
Vanelli Vixens Vs Aircare Thunder
This match was defined by a clash in the Vanelli attacking circle between the hard working, committed Aircare defensive duo Jodie Haines & Maisie Williamson taking on the Vanelli’s new Goal Shooter on her debut, Jemima Kay. Katie Bensi at Centre for Vanelli played her usual fast, exciting, unique style of netball, but Aircare with their years of experience were just too strong for the young Vanellis, many of whom are making their debuts this season. Aircare took the match 44-35.
Aircare Lightning vs Cheryl Claire Wellbeing
The final matches of the afternoon continued in the same intensity of the previous matches with two courts which, on paper, should have produced close, competitive matches. Aircare Lightning vs Cheryl Claire Wellbeing did not disappoint. Jackie Marsh, CC’s omnipresent central tour de force took control of the match playing calm, decisive, strong and intelligent netball throughout the court, backed up by Sofi Mills in defense who was lightning quick, picking up loose balls and forcing attacking errors in the opposition’s run of play and providing superb set pieces for her shooting partnership to take advantage of – Tash Litchfield was pinpoint accurate in the Goal Attack position.
Karen Glason in Centre for Lightning came out fighting for the final quarter, making a couple of key turnovers in the central third and passing some rocket-shots into her attacking circle for Hannah Foreman in GS to sink points from. Despite some excellent interceptions, CC’s moved into a position of momentum in the dying minutes of the match and enabled them to stretch to a significant points advantage at the final whistle, taking the match 53-25.
Foxton Mavericks vs Welland Valley Blinders
In by far the most one-sided match of the afternoon, it was clear that Foxton had gained from a weekend at a national tournament last weekend having played many hours of netball whilst the rest of the Harborough teams took a break out of respect for the passing of the Queen. Charlotte Asprey was exceptional in the Wing Defense position, with tips, interceptions and blocks that would have challenged the most able of players. Natalie Billington as Goal Shooter was unstoppable despite the undeterred efforts of Sumayyan Nadhir in opposition to her onslaught. Joanne McDonald in the attacking circle for Blinders remained stoic, working hard to get free, but the speed of Foxton was hard to hold back as they took the most commanding win of the day, 108-14.
