A
fter a successful season as
Under 14s, we were eager
to get off to a good start this
year, controlling the first
quarter against Wellington.
Although they came back
into the game after half-time, we kept them
scoreless in the final ten minutes to win 20-17
- Gussy Hydleman, Sophia Collins and Rosie
Dymond were relentless in their play, turning
over ball after ball. Against Queen's we were
quickly 4-0 up after ten minutes, however we
let the opposition interrupt our rhythm. We
regained a two-goal lead in the final quarter,
but Queen's scored an agonising equaliser
seconds before the final whistle!
Leading 6-4 against Millfield, the game had to
be abandoned due to a surreal combination of
calamities, including explosive nose bleeds,
dislocated fingers, legs trapped in fences and
fainting episodes. Coach Mrs Butler is still to
recover from the experience.
The middle of the season saw us weakened by
injury and losing three matches, but we were
back on form against Stoodley Knowle, who
had raised their game to level the scores at
half-time. After the break we came out all
guns blazing, and this excellent team display
resulted in an outstanding 28-22 victory.
At Clifton we took an early three-goal lead, but
they raised their game impressively to lead 9-7
at the end of the first quarter. We fought back
well to tie the score 21-21 going into the final
ten minutes, but sadly Clifton took a three-goal
lead by the final whistle. In our last game,
Taunton School went into a narrow lead which
they gradually extended each quarter, and we
couldn't quite capitalise on balls we turned over.
Player of the match was Sophia Collins for her
continual tenacity and effort, both of which were
hallmarks of a thoroughly enjoyable season.
I
t was a slow start for the Bs against
Wellington, but once we found our feet,
we proved well-matched sides. Alice
Stillwell and Victoria Smith
communicated well, while Lucy Mead
and Tarn McIntosh used the width of
the court to full advantage.
We showed good progress the next week in our
21-10 win against Queen's. Ellie McLean
showed great determination in intercepting the
ball, and worked well with Annie Haden-Taylor.
The shooters were again on form, and Emily
Parris did very well in making sure they had a
good supply of ball.
It was an evenly matched affair against
Canford, as we found ourselves 3-0 up at the
end of a tense first quarter, a lead we were
never to surrender. Camilla Arliss and Claudia
Williams impressed on their first outing, and
Alice Stillwell was in excellent shooting form.
Depleted by injury and illness at Blundell's,
there were vital interceptions by player of the
match Emily Parris, Annie Haden-Taylor and
Amelia Clark worked well in defence, and there
was good shooting from Claudia Williams and
Minnie Taylor.
With good interceptions of Clifton's centre
passes, we were 9-4 up in the first quarter, but
Clifton came back well. We held on to our
lead tenaciously though, with Annie HadenTaylor
and Amelia Clark forming a strong
partnership in defence to secure a comfortable
22-13 win.
Taunton School stepped up a gear to lead
13-12 going into the final quarter. Playing our
best netball of the season, Camilla Arliss and
Amelia Clark defended stoutly, while Ellie
McLean and Lucy Mead kept the ball flowing
into the circle to ensure we finished our season
with an excellent 19-15 win.
Aluredian
72
Sophia Collins fights
for the ball against
Stoodley Knowle
The Cs enjoyed two
fixtures, beating Clifton
14-8, with exceptional
shooting by Rosie
Dhillon and Issie
Clarkson. But we lost
to Taunton School,
despite a spirited
fightback in the last ten
minutes. Under
15s