Mixed results for Thame Netball teams

MATCH REPORT ONE –  Thame Cyclones v Hares Green at Waddesdon. Div 5 –  Wednesday, January 15. 

Thame Netball team, Hurricanes in action

Thame Cyclones went on court aware that this was likely to be a close match.  We had beaten them by a few goals the first time round but Hares were above us in the league.
The match started with quite even play as expected and the score at the end of the 1st quarter was 6-6. After a team talk with motivational contributions from the whole team, Cyclones went back on court to start the second quarter. This was Cyclones first match with our new defender, Emma, playing and she instantly gelled within the team.

Sam (WD), Penny (GD) and Emma (GK) worked well together defending against Hares’ attacking players, and regularly won the rebounds to turn the play around, bringing  the ball back down to Cyclones’ attack.  By the end of the second quarter, Cyclones had added a goal difference and were winning by a few goals. Hares made some changes to their team at the beginning of the third quarter but it didn’t deter Cyclones and we continued to play well as a team to increase the goal difference further.

Sarah (GS) and Lynne (GA) worked well with Katie (WA) and Amy (C) to position themselves successfully within the attacking D, and repeatedly got their shots on target.
Hares remained committed to the game but Cyclones continued to fight for the ball with real team effort and were storming ahead. When the final whistle blew, the hard work had paid off;  Cyclones deservedly won 15-30 taking us to third in division 5.
Player of the match – Emma

MATCH TWO – Hurricanes v Cherokees 28 : 30 –  January 22.

Hurricanes played a truly magnificent game for their first match after the long Christmas break, showing great determination and team spirit.

Although they were playing the team at the top of the division, Hurricanes stormed the first quarter leading by 9 goals to 4.  Solid interceptions from the defensive players brought the ball easily down the court and accurate feeding into the circle enabled the shooters to pull ahead.

In the second quarter Hurricanes saw why Cherokees are leading the division. They took charge of the game and controlled the play with plenty of quick passing and good aerial interceptions. The Hurricanes shooters however, took advantage of every ball given to them and the quarter ended with the Thame team only one goal behind.

A change at half time welcomed Jessie Rogers, a new player, to wing defence.  Hurricanes put every effort into the last two, nail biting quarters of the match. The score line was goal for goal until almost the final whistle which saw Cherokees just pull ahead to win 28 : 30.

If the team play as well as this against their remaining opponents, they should pick up some more well deserved points and finish the season well out of the play off positions.
Hurricanes would like to thank Sarah for playing up for them.

SOURCE: Contributed