AFTER LAST WEEK’S defeat to Northumbria, the Netball Firsts were desperate for a win against an experienced Teeside team. However, luck was not on their side as although they put up a convincing fight, Teesside came out on top with a 47- 37 victory.
As the game commenced, shots were flying in at both ends of the court, with goal attack Lisa Griffiths and goal shooter Kay Masterson showing a great understanding of each other in the circle. However, Teesside’s Goal Defence, who was rewarded for her performace with the ‘Man of the Match’ accolade, was an extremely tough opponent, putting pressure not only on the shooters but the centre court players as well.
Teamed with this, Tee Side’s shooters rarely missed a shot against a defence which has been weakened by the absence of Nina Pullman due to injury.
In spite of all this York did not give up. In the third and fourth quarters, despite having problems with several characteristically aggressive Teesside players, York played their own game and the ball flowed through the court.
This year, the partnership of Rebecca O’ Dwyer and Bronwen Jones will be the building block of this team’s development. These two players rarely put a foot wrong and with Jones being awarded ‘Man of the Match’ in three out of four games, her skill has also been recognised by opposing teams.
York should not feel deflated after this performance, there is a lot of work to be done, however with the expertise of the coach, anything is possible.
Rebecca O Dwyer, Captain, shares these views, saying after the match; ‘I am very pleased with our performance, especially in the second half of the game, which ended the game on a positive. Although we lost there is a lot to take from this which we can work on’.
Next week, I hope to comment on a stunning York win, which is more than achievable.
York take on the University of Bradford’s 2nd team in the Cup on Wednesday, and with York being placed eight divisions above their opponents, they can be fairly sure of progressing with a confidence boosting victory.