Santander International Senior League Match Reports - 23 October 2022

Premiership

Suntera Global Ballasalla Blizzards 30 v Manx Fellas 40

POTM - Michael Pardoe Manx Fellas

The game opened very evenly between both teams, with the offensive pairings of Michael Lewis and Michael Josem of Manx Fellas, and Gemma Kirkham and Danielle Murphy of Ballasalla Blizzards showing their attacking convictions. The first quarter’s score ended 10-7 in Manx Fellas’ favour.

In the second quarter, the Manx Fellas applied some further pressure in the mid-court, particularly between the defensive efforts of Neil Cowley and Pete Corrin at Goal, and Wing Defence. This led to some successful turnovers which were capitalised upon by the Fellas, allowing the lead to be slightly stretched into half time at 21-15. However, credit must go to Sarah Lister and Lydia Shaw at Goal Keeper, and Defence of Ballasalla Blizzards, as their tireless defensive efforts prevented the Fellas’ attacking duo converting these additional opportunities.

The third quarter saw both teams continue to push forward, with some excellent passing plays through to the attacking third. Steven Ronan at Centre, and Michael Pardoe at Wing Attack for the Fellas showed tenacity and consistency with their circle-edge play and feeds into the Goal Attack and Shooter. This helped the Fellas increase their lead to a 10-point difference, with the score ending 32-22 at the end of the third quarter. 

Moving into the last quarter, the mid-court for Ballasalla Blizzards, consisting of Becky Dunne at Centre, Amelia Brockbanks at Wing Attack and Mairi Harrison at Wing Defence linked up superbly between themselves, and also with their shooting circle to create consistent opportunities which were taken, resulting in the last quarter being drawn with 8 goals apiece. Bringing the final result of 40-30 in favour of the Manx Fellas, and the Player of the Match being established as Michael Pardoe.

Overall, a competitive game competed in the best of spirits by all involved and a big thank you to our umpires, Sue Webster and Joanna Steriopulos.

Championship

Manx Gems, 34 v Young Farmers 25

POTM - Tori Leece from Manx Gems 

The game started off with a very fast pace between these two teams with plenty of battling in all areas of the court right from the whistle. This set the tone for the rest of the match. There was nothing to split the two teams with the first quarter ending 8 all.

Gems GK and GD, Tori Leece and Hannah Halsall, made life difficult for Farmer’s in the second quarter, intercepting high balls in the circle. But, the Farmers attack worked tirelessly around the circle, adapting their play and constantly providing options to each other. Despite their hard work Gems pulled ahead and the quarter ended 17-13. 

Following the half time break, Gems made a few changes to their centre court. Gems defence worked hard to bring the ball up the court and  providing that reset option, which they used to good effect. The Young Farmers centre, Rachel Osborne, and defence battled very hard and didn’t give Gems an easy ride. Gems managed to extend their lead to 9 goals.

In the last quarter Farmers steadied and the goal difference remained the same. The final score was Gems 34 Farmers 25. Special thanks to Amanda Butler and Michael Josef for umpiring this very competitive match. 

Division 1

Route One Volts 24 v Suntera Global Ballasalla Drifts 25

POTM - Lily Gell Ballasalla Drifts

Both teams started strong with a 8-7 lead for Route One at quarter time. In this first quarter we saw Aalin Mayers (C) and Claire Battye (WA) feeding excellently into the circle to Ealish Baxter (GA) and Sue Webster (GS). Equally there were some lovely feeds by the Balla girls (Annelise Mellor as C and Annabelle Clague WA) to their shooters Jo Hicks (GS) and Lily Gell (GA).

Throughout the match there was some very strong defensive work from both Ballasalla and Route one with Olivia Quayle as R1 GD, Rachel Caine as R1 GK, Clare Crowe as Balla GK and Amy Gelling as Balla GD.

In the second quarter Route One made no changes however Ballasallas Annabelle Clague come off as WA, replaced by Charlotte Thompson. Both teams worked tirelessly to finish the second quarter with a 14 all draw.

In the third quarter Annelise Mellor was replaced by Annabelle Clague, whilst there were no changes to the Route One positions. We saw some great mid court work by Fern (R1 WD), Claire (R1 WA), Charlotte (Balla WA) and Gemma (Balla WD) to finish with a 21-20 lead to Ballasalla.

In the final quarter we saw the umpire call time as Annabelle (WD) decided to sit the rest of the quarter out after coming down hard on her ankle during the previous quarter, her position was quickly picked up by Gemma. In a desperate effort to drive the ball up the court we saw various errors by both teams resulting in multiple intercepts.

We saw some excellent driving and shooting accuracy throughout the match by Lily Gell (Balla GA) which gained her a well deserved player of the match and a win for Balla with a very close 25-24 win.

Division 2

Ramsey Scarlets 20 v Ramsey Reds 23 

POTM - Winnie Davies Ramsey Scarlets

Being a Ramsey ‘Derby’ this was always going to be a tightly contested and well fought match for the glory. As players settled into the game, play went goal for goal in the first quarter with similar errors from each team. Quarter score 7-8 to Scarlets.

The Scarlets found a different gear in the second quarter, chasing every loose ball, jumping for every interception and working well together as a team  to bring the ball down the court to goal. The strong defensive work of Winnie Davies, Abigail Harvey & Hollie Thompson (WD, GD & GK respectively) was rewarded by the sharp shooting from Erin Corkill (GS) & Elly-Jane Crellin (GA). This gave a perhaps unexpected half time score of 8-12 again in Scarlets favour.

A reassessment of the teams goals at half time and a change between C & WA for Orla Goddard & Lottie Stennett saw a much improved quarter of netball for Reds. Working as a more united unit and not forcing passes that aren’t on, reds quickly totted up the goals in the third quarter thanks to sharp shooting of Sian Hignett (GS) and Lola Tebay (GA). With only one quarter remaining a score of 15-15 set up a tense final quarter.

With a sense of accomplishment given the comeback in the 3rd quarter, reds came out determined in the final quarter. The first 5 minutes went goal for goal with patient play from both sides. Frantically searching for the winning goal, strong defence from Lucy Field (GD) and Wilma Dalugdugan (GK) earned a turnover from a missed shot which was converted by reds to take a lead. This lead, as well as converting their own goals, earned the reds the overall victory. Player of the match was awarded to Winnie Davies of Scarlets for a tremendous defensive display.