U10As Netball v Loretto
18th January 2012
St. Mary’s: 7, Loretto: 1
The U10 As had made excellent use of their warm-up time before Loretto arrived, and were determined to extend their fantastic streak of results. They started strongly, with Juliette, Ellen and Sasha N making full use of their skills and team chemistry to take advantage of the first centre pass. The manner in which this core of the team passes and moves off the ball is always impressive to watch, and provides some very advantageous plays through to Georgie at GA. In the first quarter we were fluid, dominant and focused, resulting in two goals apiece to Georgie and GS Georgia.
Loretto came back fighting in the second quarter; they had an especially strong GK and C, who confounded our attacks a number of times, and built up some challenging moves. Although both our shooters were successful again, Loretto claimed a great goal too. Issie (GK) and Georgina (GD) were both typically alert and able in this match, but I think we lacked our usual defensive strength in the centre of the court. In the first half of the match, especially, our marking could have been tighter.
Despite some slips, this was, in general, another skilfully contended game. Georgie and Georgia were very confident and calm-headed, and although Georgie was being lured back into the centre third too often because of the problems we were encountering, she worked very hard to get herself back in prime shooting position. Another star performance came from Georgina in the final quarter, when switched up to WA. Her tactical awareness is second to none, and she provided a number of fabulous, powerful passes to the shooters, as well as keeping the ball locked down in Loretto’s “D”.
All of the girls put their usual massive effort this match, with Juliette, in particular, deserving a good night’s sleep after chasing Loretto’s C around. It was an exciting and fast-paced game, with the style of play evolving as both teams learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The score line does not reflect the thinking Loretto made us do, but it was a well-deserved victory nevertheless.
Our next fixture is a hockey match vs. Cargilfield on the 25th January, at St. Mary’s, starting 2.30pm. |