In the penultimate week of the Ora Winter Netball League, many teams saw out their final matches of the season to cement their positions in the league. With top spots Divisions 1, 2 and 4 going to Convent A, St Brelade A and Accies F respectively, all eyes are now on a battle between Accies E and St Clement B to claim the pole position in Division 3. Rescheduled games mean that some teams with finish their season next week, when the final results will be revealed.
In Division 1, St Lawrence A’s last game of the season was bittersweet, having had a fantastic run this year with losses only to Convent A, however it also marked the final game with their well-respected, longstanding coach and Club President, Jackie Nelson. The match started with Jackie taking a commemorative first centre pass, and then both teams were quick to get down to business. With Accies A in third position behind St Lawrence, the game was all to play for to finish in second place, however it was evident from the start that Accies were without some of their key players, although the substitutes were a strength to be contended with. Saints were out in force with a very experienced side who know how to dictate play. Superb interceptions by Player of the Match Jo Woodham (GK) for St Lawrence gave her team the turnarounds they needed to settle into their game plan. Meanwhile, Accies’ Player of the Match, Kat Le Riche (GD),was a driving force behind her team, continually offering herself to help to bring the ball down to her attacking end. The shooting skills of St Lawrence’s Nicole Goddard were outstanding in the 3rd quarter, which allowed her team to forge ahead to a 14-goal lead. Despite the goal difference, the game was played in good spirit with both teams giving everything to the court. At the final whistle, St Lawrence ended with their final win of the season at 51-25, cementing their position as runners up for the Ora Winter League.
Also in Division 1, a great competitive game played to the final whistle saw a young, well-skilled Convent B took on a knowledgeable St Clement A, as the latter looked to end on a high after a tough season. The young Convent team started well with everyone playing their part and managing to feed their shooters, who shot with confidence.
In the second quarter, Convent’s defence, including Player of the Match Bethannie Wood (GK) came to the fore, making tips, clean interceptions and rebounds to keep their team ahead. Mid courters for both teams were well-matched, with Convent’s Isla Cronin and St Clement’s Emily Reynolds and Nadia Lopes moving the ball across the court for their respective teams.
Third quarter St Clement’s defensive duo of Ella Vieira (GK) and Cerys O’Connell (GD) began to deny Convent a clear path to goal and started to close the gap, going into the final 15 minutes with only 2 goals between the teams.
The last quarter was full of drama with St Clement taking the lead and then Convent replying and going ahead, but it was the St Clement strong defence and the movement and clinical shooting of POM Megan Hamilton that turned the tide giving St Clement their first win of the season at 36-35.
The growth of the Convent youngsters has been a joy to watch, combining with some experienced players has been a great combination and many lessons have been learnt to take forward into summer training and onwards to next season.
In Division 2, St Lawrence C set the pace with slick ball movement through the court, pushing the ball quickly through their attacking unit and forcing St Lawrence B onto the back foot. Their speed and accuracy in transition proved difficult to contain, allowing them to build early momentum and establish a 15–8 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw St Lawrence C continue to dominate proceedings. Sharp shooting from Georgie Dodd (GS) and Clem Turner Powell (GA) kept the scoreboard ticking over, with both attackers combining well in the circle to convert a steady stream of opportunities. At the other end of the court, St Lawrence C’s Player of the Match Rachel Baugh (GD) and Jackie Pannenborg (GK) produced an excellent defensive display, applying constant pressure and disrupting St Lawrence B’s attacking rhythm. Their efforts helped extend the advantage, with St Lawrence C heading into half-time comfortably ahead at 35–20.
St Lawrence C maintained their intensity throughout the second half, continuing to move the ball confidently through the court and capitalising on turnovers. Despite St Lawrence B’s determination to close the gap, St Lawrence C kept control of the match and steadily increased their lead.
By the final quarter, St Lawrence C had secured a well-earned 64–44 win, completing a strong all-round team performance in what was an entertaining interclub encounter. Evie Le Breton took the Player of the Match award for her B side.
In Division 3, Accies E wrapped up their first season in the Ora Winter League with an outstanding performance against a strong St Brelade’s B side. The match opened at a fierce pace, with both teams settling quickly into a competitive rhythm. Accies’ shooters Kacey O’Connor (GS) and Zoe Morales (GA) combined brilliantly in the circle, using sharp rotation and smart timing to convert opportunities and edge Accies ahead. Through the midcourt, Captain Estelle Le Mornier (C) and Barley Vibert (WA) worked tirelessly to secure centre passes and challenge St Brelade’s possession. In defence, Flori Lofthouse (GK) and Clara Malory (GD) delivered crucial interceptions and relentless pressure, helping Accies hold a strong lead going into the break.
The second half saw Accies raise the intensity even further. Kacey O’Connor moved to Centre while Sirenna Woodford (WD) continued her impressive defensive form. Turnovers were converted efficiently through the court, feeding Ava Huish (GS), whose confident and consistent shooting earned her Player of the Match for Accies, alongside Zoe Morales (GA), with both remaining calm and clinical under pressure against a determined St Brelade’s defence. Despite St Brelade’s making tactical changes in the final quarter, Accies maintained their momentum and finished strongly, securing a 62–37 victory. A fantastic team performance to close their debut season in the league, and credit to St Brelade’s B who battled hard throughout and made it a competitive game.Poppy Roche took the Player of the Match award for StBrelade for her efforts in the mid court.
An unexpectedly close match between St Clement B and St Ouen B started with both teams playing end-to-end, with it quickly becoming obvious that St Clement would need to fight hard to get a crucial win in the bag. Both teams worked relentlessly for every goal, as the sides took turns throughout the game to move out in front, with their opponents quickly replying to close the gap. St Clement were missing 4 of the named squad, so relied on flexibility of the team to cover the positions. St Clement’s Alli Livesey managed some useful tips at WD and C, linking in with Jane Wright at WA who had a very strong game. For St Ouen, it was a real team effort as players rotated against St Clement’s forceful defensive trio, however the combined determination of Jasmine Le Lievre (WA/GA), Sarah Attwood (GA) and Zoe Barrett-Banks (GS)kept St Ouen firmly in the running throughout. At the opposite end, St Clement’s Player of the Match, Chloe HamHowes showed her shooting prowess, netting balls from anywhere in the circle despite the pressure from St Ouen’s Lauren Byrne (GK) and Sarah Ramasawmy (GD). A momentous effort in the final 5 minutes saw both teams fighting to keep possession to stay on top, however it was St Clement who pipped St Ouen to the post to take a 37-36 win.
Elsewhere in Division 3, two very evenly matched teams took to the court in their penultimate game of the season, all players eager to gain valuable points to help them on their league positioning. St Brelade C’s Centre Libby Barnett was instrumental in bringing the ball down the court, making timely interceptions and producing accurate feeding into their tall GS Isla Riley and Player of the Match, Lolly Waters (GA), who promptly netted goals. St Brelade, the more experienced side, were the first to settle into their stride putting their opponents St Lawrence, all U18s, under pressure to keep in contention, but their grit and determination paid off with just a two-goal deficit at the half time break at 16-18. This was the turning point of the match, St Lawrence Player of the Match, Merri de Gruchy (GK), sussed out how to restrict her opponent, which made a huge impact on the game. With superb shooting from St Lawrence’s GA Corbiere Cargo, the young side were able to forge ahead, taking a well-deservedwin 33 – 28.
