Under 16
Lawn v Pinehurst Pumas - 17th January 2010, Swindon Academy
Result - Lawn 38 Pinehurst Pumas 16
Following last weekends postponement of all fixtures due to the snow, Lawn's under 16 team kicked off their Regional League campaign against local rivals Pinehurst Pumas at the New Swindon Academy. Having had no netball for the best part of six weeks the team needed sometime to settle back into their own game and during the first quarter we made several unforced errors. However we soon started to play some sharp netball with the new attacking unit of Jess at C, Katie at WA, Hannah at GA and Charlotte at GS getting use to each other feeding the shoots from the circle. The defensive combination of Shannon at GK, Angela at GD and Lousie at WD started where they left off, making it extremely difficult for the Pinehurst attack to break through and forcing a high number of turnovers.
With a strong lead at half time, changes were made bringing Alicia on at GS, Jemma on at GA and Phoebe on at WD, Jess moved to WA and Louise up to C, again a little time was needed for the team to settle together but we were soon in our stride, a change of style in the shooting circle allowed us to use Alicia's height and positional awareness to our advantage making it hard for the Pinehurst defence to reach the ball. Phoebe made several interceptions at WD making the WA work extremely hard to get in the game.
Final changes in the 4th quarter saw Jess and Louise given a rest and Katie brought back on in a new position of C and Natasha on a WA we kept our momentum going and although tiredness came into which led to an increase in unforced errors we kept our lead strong and came out 38 to 16 Winners.
A very promising and pleasing start to what is going to be a very challenging league for us this year but with the strength and depth in the squad I know we will do well, it was also pleasing to be able to give everyone equal court time to freshen them up again. A special mention to newly promoted to the squad Jemma who was voted opposition player of the match, and Katie who was given Coach's player of the match for a strong showing in two relatively new positions for her.
Nikki
Next match v Hucclecote 2 is a 10.30am start at St Josephs on Sunday 24th January, all support welcome!
Under 16
6th December 2009
Lawn's under 16 squad put in two impressive performances against the two Swindon teams in local play off's, to qualify as Wiltshire 1 for the upcoming Regional League that kicks off on the 10th January.
In the first match against Pinehurst B we started strongly converting off our first centre and immediately putting the Pinehurst attack under pressure off their centre, the defensive combination of Shannon at GK, Angela at GD and Phoebe at WD turning over plenty of ball. Louise at C linked the play with the attacking combination of Tasha at WA, Georgina at GA and Alicia in at GS, some strong drives and sharp passing allowed the ball to get to the shooters and some accurate shooting by both allowed a strong lead at half time.
Coaches Nikki Lloyd and Fran Botting, rang the changes at half time bring on Jess at C, Katie at WD, Hannah GA and Charlotte at GS meant the entire attack had been rotated for the 2nd half, the strong defence continued and the new attack needed time to settle with one another, but soon enough the timing and movement left the Pinehurst defence struggling to stay with them. Lawn continued to dominate the Pinehurst team eventually coming out 27 to 9 winners.
Whilst we took a breather, the two Pinehurst teams played each other with Pinehurst A eventually coming out 18-14 winners.
In the second match against Pinehurst A again the changes were rung and we started with the line up of GK Angela, GD Katie, WD Phoebe, C Jess, WA Louise, GA Hannah, GS Georgina, the match started tightly with the play going end to end, however the continued pressure applied throughout the court by Lawn, ensure forced errors and won turnover ball which enable Hannah and Georgina to convert to goals, this enabled us to take a 4 goal lead into half time.
In a tense atmosphere, changes were made again so we started the 2nd half as GK Shannon, GD Angela, WD Louise, C Jess, WA Tasha, GA Georgina and GS Alicia. A superb performance from all however Angela's dominance at GD in the 2nd half achieved numerous tips and turnovers which then driven down the court by some dynamic play from all and some excellent teamwork in the circle from Georgina and Alicia meant we always had an option to feed the circle, again accurate shooting converting our chances meant we went onto win the game 22 to 12.
Overall strong performances from all members of the new squad who are learning to play with each other and in different combinations, also a versatile squad with plenty of options will put us in good stead for the league games to come after Christmas. Thank you to those who were able to come and support the girls it was much appreciated and keep an eye out for league fixture list which will be out shortly.
Thanks
Nikki & Fran
19th October 2009
The past week has seen a great start to the season for our junior teams. Under 11a's played Raychem last Thursday and won by an amazing 32-0. With Neave being named Player of the Match. This weekends games saw Under 12a's beat Croft 14-5 with Nicole Player of the Match and Under 14's beat Fairford 19-10 with Charlie being named Player of the Match.Well done to all three teams!