An eventful and thoroughly entertaining Co-operative Netball Superleague match was played out in Bury on Saturday13th February, 2010 with home side Leeds Carnegie holding tight against Team Northumbria to take their second win of the season.
This physical battle raged across the hour and you can check out the TV highlights in the video section of the website when Round 9 is available, although that could take some time for our video teams as editing the action down to a shortened package take time as there was plenty going on.
Fans at the game felt a special performance was on the cards as a confident Leeds Carnegie took to the court and they started with purpose. Northumbria were clearly up for the match too, only one goal separated the sides in the opening quarter.
Shooting-wise Carnegie were in the groove, Rachel Shaw netted 5 from 6 before making way for Carla Dzwioki who moved from under the post to GA after the first quarter and stayed there for the rest of the game as Jo Walker took over the GS bib. Over the match Carnegie successfully shot 90% of their goal attempts. At the final whistle both teams had had exactly the same number of chances, 63.
Accuracy gave Leeds a three goal head-start in the second-half and with just one failed attempt in the next 15 minutes, they increased the lead to 10 by the penultimate quarter whistle. While the shooters were getting a superb service from their team - the defence were really turning the screws on visiting Northumbria. Afrika Morris spent time on the sidelines twice during the third quarter. The keeper was briefly suspended for the period of two goals for persistent contact, she came back on and a few minutes later was penalised in the same way and again told to go and wait for the ball to pass through the hoop twice.
Team Northumbria came out with a mission in the final 15 minutes of the match and fought back with pressure that Carnegie have crumbled under in Superleague this season. Goal after goal Northumbria hauled themselves back into the game to cut the home-side’s lead in half as they clock ticked towards the final whistle. A clash of heads, that sent Anna Newell reeling forced an injury time-out and the breather re-invigourated Carnegie who re-focused, re-established their 10-goal margin and held on tight in a thrilling ride to victory.
Co-coach Marion Lofthouse has been enjoying herself lately. “ It was another thrilling game of Superleague netball” she said.
“Leeds piled on the pressure in the third quarter and gained a 10-goal lead. At the beginning of the 4th Team Northumbria stormed back cutting that lead to five but the Leeds defence held firm and our shooters were clinical in their finishing.”
