Won 10-8

What a glorious afternoon in the sunshine on the Harper-Gow. We welcomed the Belhaven team and a close and competitive encounter followed.

The first quarter was very free scoring. Both teams managed to transfer the ball quickly forward and the standard of shooting was excellent. We broke with the score at 4-4 and we knew that we were in for a good game.

As the second quarter started, the defences woke up and it became more difficult to create chances. Helena, as captain, was strong in dominating the D and Katherine supported her well with some well-timed interceptions. Emilie and Isabelle were proving a good team in attack – when they could agree who was taking a free throw – and, while Belhaven might have been slightly stronger than us in the middle two quarters, they kept us in the game with accurate shooting. The next two quarters finished 6-6 and then 8-8. All was to play for in the final quarter.

At this point, Lily moved into Goal Attack and made two crucial scores. The team then hung on for all they were worth, intercepting and breaking down the Belhaven attacks. In the final quarter, Helena was imperious in defence and, with her distribution, and even her efforts to move forward and support, well deserved her nomination as Player of the Match from Belhaven. A narrow win was much enjoyed as was a very sociable match tea.

I note that the match was umpired by two men: proving the ongoing popularity of netball to a wider audience.