Round 13 Results of the The Co-operative Superleague

MATCH: Celtic Dragons versus v Brunel Hurricanes

VENUE: Welsh Institute of Sport, Cardiff. Start: 1500

UMPIRES: Kim Lumley & Maria Webber - 3rd official Judith Groves.

Q1: 8-9

Q2: 14-16

Q3: 25-26

Q4: 31-36

Celtic Dragons gave play-off contenders Brunel Hurricanes a fright in Cardiff in round 13. Fourth in the Co-operative Netball Superleague table, and 4 places higher than their opponents, the Hurricanes may have been casually confident of adding to their points tally on the road trip to the Welsh capital. They were however not given an easy ride by an improving Dragons line-up and had to grind out a 5 goal win in the last 15 minutes of the game.

Although they were never really behind, Hurricanes failed to impress the healthy-sized crowd at Sofia Gardens, they seemed to be struggling to get back to speed after a two-week break. They lost to their “local” rivals Mavericks in that last game for the second time this season. Traveling to Wales with an under-strength squad; just 10 players on the team-sheet, can’t have helped the team focus on what the form book suggests should have been a straightforward 2 points in the bag.

The Dragons were dogged and determined, pouncing on mistakes and turnovers with a reasonable 70% overall shooting success rate, but they could not get established in front. By frustrating the attackers, the Celts did manage to stall Hurricanes attempts to storm ahead right into the 4th quarter. Those watching were treated to good passages of play and an exciting match.

Brunel Hurricanes captain Becky Nash said; “It was a close fought game and we are happy to secure a win. We now look forward training hard for our Sky match on Monday against Glasgow Wildcats.”

It would have been quite a scalp for the Celtic Dragons who would have doubled their points and wins in the Co-operative Netball Superleague and while they are not moving up the table just yet, beware the Dragons - they’re showing signs of improvement and have a week off to prepare for a Valentine’s Day date with Northern Thunder.

STARTING TEAM LINE-UPS:

CELTIC DRAGONS

GS: Chrissie Munroe

GA: Cara Moseley

WA: SUSIE DRAIN

C: Steph Essex

WD: Sian Carrington

GD: Sara Hale

GK: Lindsay Keable

SHOOTING STATISTICS:

C. Munroe 18/24 = 75%

C. Moseley 12/19 = 63%

BRUNEL HURRICANES

GS: Vicklyn Joseph

GA: Asha Tett

WA: Kate Ricks

C: Holly Nichols

WD: Becky Nash

GD: Sonia Mkoloma

GK: Areta Thatcher

SHOOTING STATISTICS:

V. Joseph 27/39 = 69%

A. Tett 7/11 = 63.6%

L. Press 2/5 = 40%

Game 2
Leeds Carnegie vs Team Northumbria

UMPIRES: Kim Burns & Debbie Morgan - 3rd official Debbie King.

Q1: 15-12

Q2: 25 - 25

Q3: 41 - 37

Q4: 59 - 49

A late push by Leeds Carnegie earned them a convincing victory over Team Northumbria on home ground in Round 13 of the Co-operative Netball Superleague. At the end of October there was a 9 goal margin between the teams but although Leeds were again the winners, and one better this time, it’s fair to say this was a more intense match locked tight for the first 30 minutes.

After taking the first quarter by 3, the home team was surprised to be hauled back to level pegging at half-time. Northumbria had played themselves back into the match under the steadying aim of captain and shooter Carla Dziwoki who was almost matched in overall accuracy by Vicky Philips at goal-attack. A crunching smack of heads between team-mates Sarah Penny and Abi Ryan meant a time-out but no lasting damage as they were both fit to play on.

Maybe the half-time break didn’t help because in the second half Carnegie began to assert themselves in the centre third with a couple of turnovers helping turn the course of the match. Four goals ahead going into the 4th quarter spurred on the home side and they clearly grew in confidence, making the most of a couple of missed shots and maximizing their return on muddles the middle third.

Northumbria could not reply and there must be a touch of deja-vu about the result for the visitors after last week’s close encounter with Northern Thunder was also only settled in the final quarter. Coach Denise Egan feels her side played great netball for 3 quarters and has paid tribute to the opposition. “We were beaten by (Amanda) Martin, the Leeds’ goal-attack, who created space and opportunities but most of all put the shots in under pressure.” She is also keen for the side to learn from the mistakes and to build on their strengths, “ We still need to be better under pressure but Leeds were on the back foot in the first half- we must learn and apply our strategies from training when we take the lead."

It was hard earned success welcomed by Leeds Carnegie captain Jo Davis “It’s great to come away from a very physical game with such a comfortable win”. The winners have a tough test against Loughborough Lightning next weekend, Team Northumbria is on the road again next week, they face Team Bath on Friday.

STARTING LINE-UPS

Leeds Carnegie:

GS: Joanne Walker

GA: Amanda Martin

WA: Danielle Bloomfield

C: Jennifer Fields

WD: Lisa Ferneyhough

GD: Ama Agbeze

GK: Jo Davis (capt)

Team Northumbria:

GS: Carla Dziwoki

GA: Vicky Phillips

WA: Talei Bari

C: Victoria Burgess

WD: Tessa Burton

GD: Sarah Penny

GK: Abi Ryan

MATCH: Northern Thunder versus Team Bath

VENUE: Castle Leisure Centre, Bury: Start 1600

Q1: 16-8

Q2: 29-14

Q3: 45-20

Q4: 56 29

A long trip north for the Co-operative Netball Superleague leaders led to a run-out for 11 of the 12 squad members in what must be a very satisfying 17 goal victory. The result was never really in doubt but that didn’t matter to the full-house at Castle Leisure in Bury who had plenty to shout about in classy display of table topping attack and stormy attack from Thunder.

The hosts knew it would be tough game, having been hung out to dry 78-34 by Bath in the away fixture this was always going to be about damage limitation and they were successful in holding the line more firmly this time round. Focusing on the positives, 18-year-old Alexa Collier may be one to watch, she played the last quarter at goal-attack replacing a jaded Charlotte Beenham, working very well with her shooter Karen Greig.

Thunder’s Player of the Match Helen Browne said afterwards, “we thought all the way through the game and were defensively strong through the whole of the court”.

Team Bath were understandably pleased with the evening’s work, coach Jess Garland was happy that she had the chance to move her team around in what she described as a hard contest and a step forward. “I’m glad I could field 11 of the squad as we build toward the final stage of the season.” In her eyes Serena Gurthrie played a blinder at wing-defense, “her turnover of the ball was good and she is very composed for a young player”.

It’s a home match next for Team Bath on Friday 6th February against Team Northumbria while Northern Thunder will head to Hatfield in Hertfordshire to take on Mavericks.

TEAM STARTING LINE-UPS

NORTHERN THUNDER

GS Karen Greig

GA Charlotte Beenham

WA Krystal Gayle

C Helen Browne

WD Bev Lovatt

GD Kate Smith

GK Kerry Almond

Shooting stats

K Greig: 16/26 = 61%

C Beenham: 7/18 = 38%