ORA Winter League 26/27 Week 7

The ORA Winter Netball League continued in its seventh week on Monday, as teams battle to win points before a break over half term.

In Division 1, an exciting game between Convent B and St Saviour A saw teams give their best efforts in every quarter. Convent narrowly edged with the quarter scores with every member of the team putting in their finest performances. Convent’s Bethannie Wood was the main link in the defensive circle and did her upmost to limit the shooting opportunity for St Saviour ably linking with Kiah Kuppe at GD. While at the other end of the court, the Convent shooters, Isla Cronin, Paloma Farina Richings and Leah Cannard, fitted in well in different combinations to keep the St Saviour defence on their toes. Convent centre court; Alex Perry, Flo Kelly, Scarlett Le Fustec, Isla Rafferty was slick in movement in attack and feeds were on point. St Saviour’s Player of Match, Trinity Smith led her team’s attack and was busy orchestrating the play. The game was played at a high intensity with the error rate low. It was a good spectacle played in a great spirit, with the score reflecting the game with a 51-49 win to Convent.

Also in Division 1, Convent A were quick out of the blocks. Emily Green totally dominating the shooting circle working well with her shooters; Madison Fitzgerald Wilkins and Leah Griffin who used their movement and awareness to keep the Accies defenders busy. The defensive trio of Lauren Devine, Molly Carre and Amelia Coutanche were fully invested and closed down the space for the Accies shooters readily gaining ball. Emily Dove worked hard to change the structure in attack which worked well and gave Convent different plays to work on. Player of the Match Jacy Brown used her experience to sight her shooters early both on and off the circle edge. Movement and drives from Layla dos Santos and Jodie Blampied wasgreat in attack and defence. The fast clinical passing by Convent was great to see and the ability to change tactics in a second was so important to keep improving on set ups. Accies’ Player of the Match, Siobhan Le Moignan and Aoife O’Malloy worked consistently hard all game. Convent took an 83-20 win.

In Division 3, a confident St Brelade B looked to continue their unbeaten record against St Ouen B, who were missing some key players in the lineup. St Brelade showed their strength from the first whistle, moving the ball confidently across the court to their shooting duo of Brodie Morris (GS) and Lolly Waters (GA), who were impressive throughout the game with their accuracy and movement in the circle. St Ouen continued to push forward, finding more connections with their shooters Mel Noon (GS) and Sarah Attwood (GA). However, St Brelade’s defence was strong across the court, with Ashleigh Taylor (GK) and Fran Gillat (GD) making it difficult for the attack to break through. Despite a high scoreline, St Ouen played with resilience and determination throughout, giving C team players opportunities to play up against a well-drilled and skilled St Brelade B, who took a resounding 64-16 win.

Division 3’s St Brelade C faced U14 Jets, with the team showing great commitment and perseverance throughout. A huge welcome to Aysha Busby, returning to netball after a couple of years away and thrown straight into C! The defence worked tirelessly, with Leigh Keens, Suzhanie Van De Merwe and Sabrina Van Rooyen winning some great ball. Sabrina earned Player of the Match for her cracking intercepts and pressure, against her opponent, Jet’s Player of the Match Ruby Noon. Mich Bougeard and Lou Crossley combined well in the attacking circle, creating space and driving towards the post. Abbie Wright, Sarah Carolin, Sammy Kean, Sophia O’Sullivan and Aysha rotated through mid-court, producing some lovely passages of play and intercepts. St Brelade C continue to build combinations and learn to read each other’s movement, although Jets took the win 31-16 on this occasion.

In Division 4, St Ouen Mavericks and Accies E played a fast, competitive match with strong and determined defending throughout. Accies E were more effective in the circle, with Player of the Match Daisy Fisher converting passes into accurate shots throughout the match, helping her team to build a steady lead throughout the match. The Mavericks worked hard to disrupt play and create turnover opportunities. Despite brilliant pressure and teamwork to move the ball into Mavericks’ Player of the Match, Kasia Hughes, who was strong under the post, Accies maintained control in three of the quarters and secured a 37-18 win.

Ending an exciting week of netball, St Ouen C faced St Saviour C in a competitive, well-matched game, with St Ouen close behind the entire time. St Ouen showed confidence across the court, with excellent movement from Elisa Da Silva (GA) and Player of the Match, Kim Richings (GK), who battled against the tall defence of Tiffany Shales and Emily Pitcher. With the scoreline going both ways throughout, it was the impact of St Saviour’s Ruby Smith (GS) which allowed the team to pull ahead and finish with a 32-23 win.