Our netball teams had mixed results against local opposition this week, but the trend is certainly that of improvement.
After some disappointing results last week our Year 10 team were keen to get back to winning ways on Tueday, and certainly did so in style, winning easily against St Bedes 26-0, without conceding a goal.
Player of the match Jessica Towers and her defending partner Helen Bradbrook snuffed out all the St.Bedes attacks and much improved basic skills from everyone was the basis of a good team performance and a deserved win.
The Year 9 game against Kirkham was disappointing because this was a game we could have won with more attention to detail and consistent basic skills. Having matched Kirkham goal for goal throughout the game we gave away possession too readily towards the end of the game and Kirkham just edged us out to take the win 8-11.
The Arnold game saw us lift our game at the start and we took an early lead but once Arnold drew level and we lost confidence and went behind despite the best efforts in defence by POM Holly Quarmby, we lost 8-19.
Friday saw our Junior B and C Netball and Football teams take on Arnold. In what turns out to be a thrilling afternoon of sport our netball players lost, but the footballers won.
In the netball matches it was clear that our teams found it hard to adjust from ‘High Fives' rules, to ‘normal' rules, and as a consequence they were slow to react at times. The B team lost 3-15, and the C team, in a close game, 5-9.
The boys had two thrilling games. In the B team game, Tom Holmes scored two goals, with Hal Morgan-Short also coming close on numerous occasions, the 2-0 win was a good team performance. Our B team had an end to end encounter with Charles Hargreaves scoring the only goal. Man of the Match, however was undoubtedly Barney Greenwood who was outstanding in goal. Pictures
Saturday saw a superb morning's hockey with all our teams playing some excellent hockey against Lancaster Grammar School, who have the benefit of being able to choose their teams from over 1000 girls.
The 1stXI continued their impressive form since Christmas in a game that saw us defend superbly and score a great goal to earn a draw against a strong Lancaster side. We started well earning the first corner of the game in the 3rd minute, but Mel Bentley's shot flashed just wide. We continued to press and were rewarded for our pressure in the 9th minute when we won the ball in midfield, and Natasha Singleton used her pace to cut through the Lancaster defence and her fierce shot from the top of the circle flew into the net. Lancaster had several chances of their own but great defending by player of the match Alice Aitken and goalkeeping by Abbey Hesketh kept them out and we went into the break ahead.
In the second half Lancaster really put us under pressure forcing a number of corners and we were lucky to survive when one of these was deflected over the crossbar by their own player! We again passed the ball well, with everyone working hard for the team cause but the lively Lancaster forwards were a constant threat and they got on level terms in the 47th minute. The rest of the game was very even with both sides going close but at the final whistle a draw was a fair results after an excellent game.
The U12 teams were obviously inspired by the senior game and both teams put on impressive performances. The A team dominated throughout, scoring four in each half including three from corners with an impressive routine. Player of the Match Georgia Raines controlled the middle of the pitch and scored four while Emily Grey also dominated on the wing and also bagged four goals. The B team game was a closer affair with one goal splitting the teams. Katie Stokes got what proved to be the winner in the first half after a good move down the right and Player of the match Ella Morris had a great game in defence.
The U13 A team played very well against U14 opponents and deservedly got a draw, and it could have been even better had two goals not been disallowed! Great forward play from Mady Horsfield, including a goal earned her POM award with further goals from Chloe Mallinson and Beth Kerr. The B team also played well against A team opponents and came out winners with a goal from Christy O'Neill whilst the U12 team were unlucky to go down by the same score conceding in the last minute despite playing some excellent hockey during the game.
