1st & 2nd VII netball v Strathallan

Wednesday 11th March 

Today’s visit to Strathallan was great fun. As ever, we were very well looked after and playing inside the Wilson Hall, was a real treat for the girls. Miss Walker, the Strathallan Head of Netball, had a half hour coaching session with the girls ahead of the match, not only a good warm up but hopefully the girls might have gleamed one or two gems to take south to the IAPS Finals. 

Miss Walker & I took turns to umpire the 2nds and 1sts this afternoon as we were a couple of staff members down. I started with the 2nds and she took charge of the 1sts for the initial ten minutes.  

The 2nds were awesome; a little careless with the ball at times, but their energy on court was fabulous. There was little doubt that they dominated the first quarter and they thoroughly deserved their 5-3 lead. On the other court, it seems the firsts had met their match and their scores were tied at 6-6. 

In the 2nd quarter I umpired the firsts and was very impressed. They played some lovely netball and what had clearly been a very even contest became a little less balanced as we surged ahead. By the end of the quarter, we were 17-12 ahead. The 2nds had continued in similar vein in my absence and at half time they were also ahead, 11-8. 

Another switch at half time and I was back with the twos. Again, in this quarter they were excellent and the Strathallan girls didn’t get much of a look in. Attack after attack and the goals just kept coming. Both Tillys shot really well and were supplied with some excellent ball from Sophie, Tara and Hattie, as WD, WA & C respectively. Emilia and Bene as GD & GK saw plenty of the ball but everything that came their way they dealt with very efficiently. By the ¾ time they had extended their lead to 21-11. The 1sts had clearly had another very tight ten minutes and their game couldn’t have been closer, tied at 22-22.  

We again swapped courts, so Miss Walker took charge of the 2nds and I ended the afternoon umpiring the 1sts. Again, what had been a tight match was pretty one-sided and the girls finished the day on a real high. Both Emily & Lottie rarely missed which helped enormously. Annie, Isla, Holly & Harriet controlled the centre of the court and Mary & Stella were strong at the back and intercepted most of what came their way. As a result, we completely dominated the quarter and ended the game 30-23 winners. On the other court, the 2nds also ended on a high and worthy 26-13 winners.  

We ended with a super match tea and a fairly smooth run home. Well done to all the girls today and all the very best to the 1sts as they head down to Rugby School, Warwickshire for the IAPS finals. Next week we welcome Loretto for our final game of the season.  

Mr P MH