The ORA Winter Netball League was back in action on Monday and Tuesday, with teams competing in the ninth week of the season.
In Division 1, a fast-flowing match between St Lawrence A and St Saviour A made it clear that both teams gave100% to the game. St Lawrence had a definite height advantage with their defending duo, Sam Salzone, who was awarded Player of the Match, and Jo Woodham, proving to be big impact on the play. St Lawrence took an early lead, with accurateshooting from GA Sofia Hussey ensuring her team’s lead each quarter. Outstanding, enthusiastic play from St Saviour’s GA Sara Pita inspired her fellow team mates to keep up the challenge throughout the hour’s play, ultimately giving her the Player of the Match accolade. A very entertaining game finished with a strong 55 – 19 win for St Lawrence A, who currently sit only 4 points behind the formidable Convent A on the table.
Division 1 saw another well-contested match between Accies A and Convent B, as Accies stamped their authority on the proceedings from the start with shooters Jasmin Schnle and Lara Spary on top form. Lara’s mid court play was also outstanding, gaining many tips and and stopping Convents flow to goal and was a well-deserved Player of the Match as she dominated throughout, despite great effort from Convent’s Amelia Coutanche and Millie Pratt. Accies Goal Defence, Molly Ryan was also on fire making Convent youngster Paloma Farina Richings work hard to gain ball, but when she did was pinpoint accurate. Accies continued to build up the pressure as the game rolled out and came away with the points and a 55-30 win. Convent’s Kiah Kuppe was awarded Player of the Match for her efforts in Wing Defence.
Division 2 leaders St Brelade A showed their strength and stability as a team against St Ouen A on Tuesday evening, as the table toppers took an early lead in the first quarter. Formidable defence from Lucy Anthony and Maddie Higton prevented St Ouen’s shooters from being able to settle into the game, whereas smooth tranisitons across the court gave St Brelade the ability to swiftly build up the score. St Ouen continued to push on, with Lisa Neil (GK) working hard to prevent an easy passage under the post. St Brelade’s Player of the Match, Leonie Castro, was crucial in the midcourt, applying pressure and feeding numerous balls into Rochelle Allison (GS) and Rosie McManus (GA), allowing the team to maintain a strong lead throughout. Despite the challenges, St Ouen began to find a rhythm towards the end of the match, with Julie Gould (Centre) working hard to find opportunities to give her team chances, earning her Player of the Match for her side. In the end, St Brelade showed why they have achieved such success this season, with their impressive flow of play giving them a 55-15 win.
In Division 3, top contenders St Clement B and Accies E met for the second time this season, with the latter determined to reverse their loss by 4 goals on their previous encounter. Accies’ youngsters continually rotated, upsetting the flow of St Clement. Despite pressure from Saints circle defenders, Mary Pack and Leslie Godfrey, Accies shooters, Barley Vibert, Zoë Morales, Ava Huish and Kacey O’Connor all kept their heads when needed and shot with precision and confidence. Accies’ speed and flow down the court was impressive, with Centre Estelle Le Monnier linking the mid court players nicely. St Clement’s Emma Le Quelenec was impressive in her return to court, alternating between shooting and centre and continually putting pressure on the youngsters, giving her the Player of the Match accolade. Despite excellent movement in the shooting circle from St Clement’s Chloe Ham Howes (GA) and Chevaun Le Monnier (GA), their efforts were continually foiled by Accies Player of the Match Clara Malorey, Sirenna Woodford and Lacey Dickson, who unfortunately suffered an injury. However, with the adaptability of Accies’ squad, Flori Lofthouse stepped in impressively as GK, where she gained several well-timedinterceptions. All in all, it was a very close game with never more than 3 goals separating them, but Accies were always just ahead at the final whistle, taking a marginal 43-40 win and ending St Clement’s winning streak.
An exciting Division 3 mid-table match between St Brelade C and St Ouen B displayed some excellent netball, with defence across the court creating consistent pressure for both sides. St Ouen took an early lead, with Lucy Fox (C) and Lianne Laignel (WA) finding channels into Zoe Barrett-Banks (GS) and Jasmine Le Lievre (GA), despite impressive defence from St Brelade’s Charlotte Butler and Suzhanie Van Staden. Across the court, St Ouen were able to capitalise on unforced errors from St Brelade, quickly building a cushion of points between the two teams. St Brelade did not allow St Ouen to relax into the game at any point, with Player of the Match Sammy Kean (WD) challenging every ball and gaining possession at multiple points in the game. St Brelade’s shooters, Lolly Waters (GA) and Isla Singleton-Riley (GS) began to find a flow but were uncharacteristically ruffled by the strong defensive unit of St Ouen’s Lauren Byrne (GK) and Sarah Ramasawmy (GD), who made it difficult for their opponents to get under the post. Despite a generally well-matched game, St Ouen were able to maintain the lead and took a 43 – 22 win. Lucy Fox and Jasmine Le Lievre took a joint Player of the Match accolade for the winning side.
Also in Division 3, St Brelade B secured a comfortable 64-14 victory over St Ouen C in an enjoyable and competitive match. Both teams came out fighting, but St Brelade quickly established an early lead through brilliant link-ups across the court. Impressive interceptions allowed them to steadily extend their advantage.
The St Brelade shooting partnership of Brody Morris and Skye Clifford, rotating between GA and GS, demonstratedreal strength and composure with excellent teamwork in the shooting circle. They were superbly supported by accurateand well-timed feeds from Maia Paton and Poppy Roche, playing WA and C respectively. St Ouen defenders, Sally Parker and Lisette Grenyer, were supported admirably by out of position Lyn Parris and Katherine Newton (both in place due to injury) and they all worked tirelessly to keep the opposition shooters out of the D.
Defensively, St Brelade delivered another strong performance, with Talia Morris (GD) and Ashleigh Taylor (GK) applying constant pressure and successfully limiting St Ouen C’s scoring opportunities, despite the tireless efforts of Harriet St Pier (GA) and Mel Noon (GS) to gain points for their side. The defensive pressure of St Brelade was further backed up through mid-court from Sophia O’Sullivan and Katie Millar, who disrupted play and provided vital support throughout the game. Despite the strength of their opponents, some impressive midcourt play by St Ouen’s Player of the Match, Kerry Roche, newcomer Megan Kearsey and Amelie Firminomoved the ball smoothly through the court, with accuratefeeds into the circle.
Overall, it was a lovely and thoroughly enjoyable match, resulting in a clear and deserved 64 – 14 win for St Brelade B. Players of the Match for St Brelade were awarded to Poppy Roche and Brody Morris.
As Division 4 league leaders, Accies F were determined from the onset against an experienced St Saviour C outfit. Accies’ Player of the Match Libby Casey (GD) took some great intercepts and was confidently backed up her keeper Olivia Langlands, working together well and making St Saviour’s shooters Naomi Leaman and Tiffany Shales work hard to secure shooting opportunities. The parish side worked the ball up the court with centre, Nicole Toner linking well with their side’s Player of the Match, Hayley Russell (WA) but finding it difficult to slip past Accies’ centre court players Thea Toudic, Lily Bellot and Elodie Cudlipp ,who in turn supplied their shooters Daisy Fisher and Franky Chatterley with ball to sinkhome some superb shots. It was neck and neck all the way,with St Saviour making a fabulous effort in the third quarter and to take the lead by 6. Accies responded with huge determination to make a comeback, taking the win by a thin margin of 2 goals 37-35.
