The battle for the Upton trophies continued last weekend, with the top teams in the ORA Winter Netball League taking on their Guernsey counterparts in three action-packed matches.
Kicking off the weekend, Jersey’s Division 2 winners, St Brelade A, took to the court at Oakfield against Guernsey’s equivalent champions, PF + A Steels. From the first whistle, both teams made it evident that neither would walk away with an easy win. Tight defence from St Brelade’s Lucy Anthony (GK) and Maddie Higton (GD) was crucial against Steels’ strong holding shooter, who did not relinquish many shots under the post.
Midcourt, St Brelade applied pressure to a fast-attacking opposition, with numerous interceptions from Amanda Clarke (WD) giving the Blues opportunities to close a marginal gap between them and a disciplined Steels side. Although Steels held on to their lead for much of the game, St Brelade were never far behind. A strong shooting duo of Rosie McManus (GA/GS) and Rochelle Allison (GS/GA) worked harmoniously, switching their positioning and moving around the circle to counteract a relentless Steels defence team.
Despite a dedicated effort from the Jersey side, with moments of clarity amongst a well-matched game, it was PF + A Steels who ran away with a flurry of goals in the dying minutes to take a 5-goal win of 52-47. For now, the Upton trophy remains in Guernsey, with the remaining Division 1 and 3 teams looking to retain the title for Jersey in their upcoming matches.
On Sunday, the action moved to Langford, with Division 3 winners, Accies E, keen to finish their perfect run of competitions in style against Guernsey’s Division 2 winners, Rathbones Navy. It was clear that youth and speed would be equal across both sides, both moving the ball swiftly their respective shooters in front of a lively home crowd. Accies’ shooters, Ava Huish (Player of the Match) and Zoe Morale’s pinpoint accuracy was not phased by the impressive Rathbones defence, with Accies’ slick teamwork allowing them to take the first quarter 15-5.
At the break Rathbones regrouped with a stronger circle defence unit pressurising Accies, often gaining interceptions to deny the home team’s shooting opportunities. This defensive effort was evident across the court, although Accies’ centre court trio of Estelle Le Monnier, Barley Vibert and Kacey O’Connor responded well driving the ball through the court giving Accies regained momentum.
Guernsey’s GS, who gained her sides player of the match with consistent shooting, had her work cut out with Accies’ rotating defenders Clara Malory, Sirenna Woodford and Flori Lofthouse piling on the pressure. After an exciting matchup, Accies came away with a deserved win of 37-29. This win rounded off an amazing season for the youngsters, with wins in the Under 18s tournament, Division 3, Lloyd’s tournament and Uptons finishing with a perfect record for Accies E.
ORA Winter League champions, Convent A, also looked to maintain their undefeated record in the final match of the weekend, going up against Guernsey’s Premier Division competitors, Specsavers Lightning Strike. Specsavers were the first to settle and went out to a 3 – 0 lead with Donna Brehaut (GS) and Steph Baptiste (GA) putting up their shots with precise accuracy. Convent adjusted to the shooter set up and began to turn ball which their shooters Emily Green (GS) and Madison Fitzgerald Wilkins (GA) slotting away their goals with confidence. All six defensive turnovers were converted which proved the turning point for Convent to end the quarter 17 – 10.
The second quarter was clinical for Convent. The ball speed was great, fast flowing netball, multiple players offering to the ball gave Convent a strong 20 goals v 6 quarter. Young Florence Allo GK (Player of the Match) and Layla dos Santos (GD) applied the pressure in the Specsavers shooting circle, rebounding and taking clean interceptions, and then linking superbly with Jodie Blampied WD to start the attack. Emily Green was using her height advantage with Madison Fitzgerald Wilkins splitting the circle. Charlotte Hill, Specsavers’ Centre was fully committed to the cause and offered a good link for the visiting side. Convent finished 37 – 16 at half-time.
In the third quarter, Convent’s Rosie Tonner WA entered the game using her change of direction and circle feeds to full advantage. Toni Chaytor (Centre) was the lynch pin between attack and defence and her change of speed to penetrate the attack was so effective. Jodie Blampied WD was denying her opponent space on the court with multiple moves and provided more interception opportunities for the fully committed circle defence to exploit. The unit defensive work was working well! End of third quarter 55 – 26.
Convent opted for a rotational circle for the final quarter, with Rosie Tonner moving to GS and Madison Fitzgerald Wilkins GA. Mollie Luce WA was quick off the line for centre passes and adjusted to the new line up delivering pinpoint accurate feeds to this exciting circle line up. Specsavers Georgie Parfit (GK), Kerys Chamberlain (GD) and Amy Le Tocq (WD) were fully energised all game and made the Convent girls think ‘out of the box.’
Convent were keen to deliver a full 60 minute performance and pushed through to end winning the game 76 – 38, finishing off their season as undefeated champions.
