By Alex Finnis
York’s netball 1sts extended their winning run to three games with an impressive victory over top of the table Newcastle 3rds. Captain Cesca Dessain praised her side’s ‘fantastic defence’ as they kept the Newcastle attack at bay with some excellent interception and blocking, allowing the precise shooting of Claire Dinan and Kay Masterson to seal a win vital in York’s chase for promotion.
After a tensely drawn opening quarter, York were both energetic and ruthless in the second. Both Grace Marsden and Sarah Smith worked tirelessly in defence, whilst Masterson, after missing chances in the opening period, expertly netted time and time again, scoring seven of York’s ten points in the quarter and taking the home side into the half-time break 17-13 up.
Newcastle pressed hard to get back into the game but could never close the gap on their determined opponents. The positioning of the York defence made it difficult for Newcastle to craft more flowing attacks, whilst the energy and drive of Dessain and O’Dwyer allowed York themselves to work their way up the court rapidly with quick, short passing. The consistency of Claire Dinan’s shooting was imperative in her side’s victory, whilst substitute Georgia Neblett also netted some important points to restore York’s gap at the times when Newcastle were looking most dangerous and threatening to bring the scores back level.
York entered the final quarter with a 22-19 advantage, and capitalised on their dominance and superior desire to score a further eleven times and create the eventual eight point winning margin. Dinan and Neblett were once again impressive, whilst goalkeeper Jenni Williams and co. were solid in defence, leading to a well-deserved and thoroughly enjoyed victory by 33 points to 25.
Everyone played their hearts out”, said Cesca Dessain after the game, visibly proud of the efforts of a side who now have an excellent chance of achieving promotion, especially if they continue to play with such spirit.