Match Reports 6th June…..

PREMIER DIVISION

GEORGE BAR & GRILL 32

GUNGHO MARKETING 38

This highly competitive match saw excellent play from both teams. George’s mid-court players WA (Jane Snarey), C (Kirsty Winning) and WD (Jenny Ayles) used clear communication and expert passing to control the game. Gungho ramped up the defensive pressure, gaining some skilled interceptions, allowing them to pull ahead.

George rallied together to close the gap. Gungho C, Tia Chaloner, and WD, Gabby Bennett, worked the ball well around the centre third, allowing Gungho’s attacking players to gain prime space in their goal third, resulting in good scoring.

The intensity remained high throughout the final quarter, with George utilising both their attacking and defensive strength to keep right on Gungho’s heels. Gungho fought hard to retain the small lead they had built and knew they had succeeded when the final whistle blew.

PREMIER DIVISION

NEW BODY FITNESS 53

CRESTA LEISURE 27

New Body set the pace for the match early on, with WA, Nicole Birley, feeding well into the circle, allowing her shooters to rack up the points. Cresta’s defence mobilised in an attempt to slow down the onslaught of goals being scored against them but found it difficult to counteract New Body’s skilled attack.

Cresta GD, Lucy Astrid, displayed exceptional athleticism, with great jumps and an impeccable sense of timing allowing her to intercept New Body’s passes. Cresta fought valiantly, with great encouragement on court but New Body’s slick teamwork made it a difficult task.

New Body WD, Ellen Blackwood, made some timely interceptions in the final quarter, limiting Cresta’s opportunities to narrow the goal difference and at the final whistle, New Body had amassed a 25 goal lead, walking away with a convincing win.

DIVISION TWO

ARTIFEX HOME IMPROVEMENTS B 32

WJNC 32

In this closely contested match, both teams took time to settle, with unforced errors creating much turnover ball. Artifex B were first to score, thanks to excellent support from WA, Beth Mear. WJNC responded swiftly, with some quick goals.

The mid-quarters saw the lead change hands repeatedly, with WJNC making bold long passes, their confidence in each other paying off and their shooters, Erin Cutler and Georgia Pearson capitalising on scoring opportunities. Artifex B worked the ball well around court, with great supportive play from Kim Hall, WD, constantly offering options for her teammates.

With one goal separating the two teams, Artifex showed great awareness of the court and were not afraid to pass backwards to reset and retain possession. WJNC also turned up the pressure with everything to play for. In a match too close to call, even scores at final time seemed a truly fitting result.

DIVISION TWO

MERAKI 13

BEAMINSTER BRAVES 36

From the first whistle, it was clear that both teams were committed to the win. Meraki seemed to have the edge to start, working the ball beautifully across court but were unable to penetrate the solid wall of Braves circle defence. Braves attack made some timely interceptions to turn over ball and accurate shooting from GS, Niamh Randall and GA, Ellie O’ Donoghue cemented their lead early on.

Meraki WA, Maddie Poole, and C, Eliza Bradbury made great use of space across the court, their exceptional cross court control only thwarted by Braves outstanding defence. However, the impenetrable defence of Braves, including GD Jasmine Mather, proved difficult for Meraki to overcome and attempts to safely deliver the ball to their shooters, mostly resulted in turnover balls. Braves wasted no time capitalising on this and kept the points coming.

The final quarter saw Meraki fight bravely on, slowly chipping away at Braves defence and able to add more points to their tally but it was not enough and Braves emerg