The ORA Winter League continued after the half term break, as teams across the fours divisions began to settle into new combinations and fight to gain points on the table.
In Division 1, it was a battle of the parishes as St Clement A took on St Lawrence A in a keenly contested match. Slick shooting by St Clement GA Megan Hamilton allowed her team to take the narrowest of margins going into the first break 8-9. St Lawrence (who were missing three of their key players) were not to be deterred from the job in hand and with 100% accuracy, Nicole Goddard, their GA, helped her side to claw back the deficit and gain a two-goal advantage at the half time whistle. A shuffle round of their attacking trio was a positive tactic for St Lawrence who took control of the third phase, this being the deciding factor of the outcome of the game. With solid defence work from their GD and Player of the Match, Imogen Taylor, they held their lead through to the final whistle and finished with a 41 – 30 win.
Division 1 leaders, Convent A were fully committed to keeping their winning streak alive against Accies A. The whole game was played with a great intensity, speed of ball and intent to keep the ball and set up plays to turn the ball over. The young Convent defender Flo Allo is forging a great partnership with GD Molly Carre with set ups and defensive plays, giving Convent consistent turnover ball. The shooting partnership of Emily Green and Rosie Tonner had a good battle with Accies defensive unit of Summer Watkins, Molly Ryan and Kat Le Riche. Both sides were quick to adjust to combinations and competed valiantly to outwit each other. Mollie Luce, Madison Fitzgerald Wilkins and Hope Herridge formed a strong centre court combination playing through the lines, using their speed and driving onto the ball. It was a clear game plan which worked well. Player of the Match, Toni Chaytor, was instrumental with her feeds to her shooters whose percentage shots kept Convent in a good place to extend their lead quarter by quarter. Convent took another resounding win at 63-24. Accies A’s Player of the Match was Lara Spary.
St Saviour A have shown determination and resilience in their first season in Division 1, and this was evident in their match up against Convent B, who took a while to settle. St Saviour took full advantage of the uncertainty within the young Convent side and were fully invested in the game from the first whistle.
Amelia Coutanche (Player of the Match) and Millie Pratt were in the thick of the action and kept Convent in the game with many interceptions and rebounds.
Olivia Kerley dominated the centre court and linked well with both attack and defence.
The third quarter was the breakthrough quarter for Convent as they won the quarter 12 – 6 giving them 25-20 lead, the first time in the match. St Saviour were not finished, with Player of the Match Trinity Smith (GA) piling on the pressure in the last quarter, closing the gap to one goal before Convent settled and held onto win 34-31.
Division 2 saw a fast-paced and well- match game between Accies C and Convent C, with both teams displaying excellent shooting. However, it was Accies’ tight defence of GK Caitlyn Hogan and Player of the Match, GD Romie Cole, whose relentless work in the circle made things tricky for the young Convent team. Convent’s GD Bella Woodruff really used her height to good advantage, making her opponents work hard to receive feeds from their attack, however Accies had the edge and took the win 41-32 at the final whistle.
Elsewhere in Division 2, St Lawrence B took command of their match up against Accies Dstraight from the start, using the experience of Tara Parker (GS) and defending duo of Jemma Larose and Player of the Match, Shannon Carr (GD) to settle their team. Accies fielded a young team without many of their usual line up, however this did not stop them fromworking valiantly and keeping the score close. The parish side took command in the second half and stamped their authority on the game, winning 51-25. Accies’ Players of the Match were Autumn Carro (GD) and Taci Alker (GS).
Division 2 regulars, St Ouen A, were keen to get points on the board after a tough start to the season, with players still adjusting to a fresh line up. Their outing against St Lawrence C started confidently, with Jessica Southern (Centre) linking well with Steph Alves (WA) to find channels into the shooting circle. Player of the Match for St Ouen, Jess Garner, moved expertly around the circle to find space, and was able to net impressive goals despite the strong pressure from her opponents. St Lawrence’s defensive unit of Jackie Pannenborg (GK) and Player of the Match Rachel Baugh (GD) did not make it easy for St Ouen to gain any lead and were able to shut down a number of attempts into the circle. At the other end, St Lawrence were able to close the gap that formed at the end of Q1, thanks to the accuracy and speed of their attackers, Georgie Dodd (GS) and Sophie Carter (GA). St Ouen continued to push forward, with Lisa Neil making multiple interceptions as Goal Keeper to keep her team in the game, however the Blues struggled to pull away and make a real impact on the score. Paige Mason (GD) and Mary Surcouf-Johnson (WD) challenged opponents in the mid court, although St Lawrence were able to return the favour and capitalise on any errors from their competitors. At the end of a closely contested game, St Lawrence had the edge over St Ouen and pulled away in the final quarter to win 39 -29.
Also keen to get points on the board in Division 3, St Ouen C continue to build on their performance each week and develop as a new team. Great defence from the start from Demelza Noblet (GK), Katie Le Herissier (GD) and Lisette Grenyer (WD) slowed the flow of goals from a fast Accies E side, who were able to gain control of the game from the start. This did not deter St Ouen, with attackers Emily Hopkins and Player of the Match, Jasmine Le Lievre (GA) showing excellent movement in the circle to allow their teammate to find gaps in which to place the ball. Midcourt, Accies were confident and moved the ball quickly, despite the pressure from their opponents. Accies E took the win with 55-19, however St Ouen left in good spirits with lots of learnings to take forward. Accies Player of the Match was Ava Huish.
