York’s Netball 2nds stormed to their first victory of the season against Northumbria 4ths. With a strong and confident start, the game looked promising for the York girls. Both teams demonstrated fantastic passing and movement up court, but the York side held their composure, especially in the second and third quarters to ensure a win. The fourth quarter proved a tense one, as emotions ran high on both sides but with the home support behind them, the Seconds sailed away to a 28- 23 victory.
After a long warm up, the York girls were ready and focused for the game ahead. The game had an exciting first quarter with end to end goals. York’s movement and timing was exceptionally strong, and their focus on these elements during this week’s training sessions was clearly shining through in their performance. The first quarter showed the strength of York’s defence, with excellent interceptions and communication from Carrie Green and Grace Clarke against the increasingly frustrated Northumbria attack. York finished the first quarter leading by one goal.
The second quarter saw a significant change in York’s team. After returning from a finger injury, Carrie Green was replaced by Eleanor Bell Jones and Captain Elissa Bryan took on the position of centre. Although this quarter proved to be the most difficult in York’s previous game, the girls stuck to their own game and passed the ball fluently and precisely down court. York held the lead at half time by 14 goals to 12, but Northumbria were clearly not willing to give up the fight.
With Elissa Bryan encouraging the girls from the sideline, Carrie returned to defence and Sarah replaced Vice Captain Amy Moll as shooter. The York girls stormed into the third quarter, with effective circle play from Sarah against a strong and agile Northumbria defence. Fresher’s Diana Webber and Emily Shipwright dominated the attacking third, continuously giving well timed and accurate passes into the shooting circle.
As the game was nearing the end, the young York team adapted well to the pressures of Northumbria’s attempted come back. They demonstrated their excellent team spirit, with the motivation to maintain their high level of play. The York girls looked physically strong throughout, and fought for every ball into the last few seconds of the game.
Elation spread throughout the York team as the final whistle blew, and the girls realised they had gained a well deserved win. Vice Captain Amy Moll commented after the match saying it was a ‘brilliant demonstration of everything we have been working towards in our training sessions. Great to have Carrie back at goal keeper and some great play from centre court despite Liss not being able to play the full game.’ The York team were thrilled with their performance, and the positives they can take away from the game stand them in good stead for what looks to be a very promising season.