2nd team battle through against Westcombe Park

What a beautiful day to play netball, the sun was shining and so were the 2nd team, still beaming from sitting pretty at the top of Division 2 County league and an impressive performance in their last County game of the season.

Warm up completed and the girls got bibbed up with our prodigal daughter Megan Melbourne returning from Uni to help out a well depleted 2nd team full of injuries and absences (well it has been a tough year). Line up as follows: Megan GS, Kirsty Hall, GA, Megan Hayward WA, Debbie Greenslade C, Shannon Murray WD, Jemma Fruin GD and Sadie GK, with Emma Hall as sub.

The first quarter started well but a few silly errors threw the momentum back to Westcombe Park who managed to turnover one of Clubs centre passes and then went on to close out the first quarter leaving Club 9-12 down.

No changes for the second quarter, just clearer instructions for Sadie to mark from behind to push their extremely tall shooter higher up the circle, as she really was no threat away from the post and to prevent the feed over the top along the baseline. Jemma had already seen the danger of the GS by the end of the first quarter and had started switching onto her in the circle. It was decided that Jemma would drop off the GA on centre passes to restrict the 2nd phase going to the her at the top of the circle. Debbie would pick up the GA for the first phase of play (yes Coach has been watching NSL and is now picking up all the lingo!).

Straight away a difference could be seen with the defence getting more tips and rebounds from missed shots. With Shannon and Debbie being alert around the circle edge the Westcombe GS was not always able to pass out and improve her position to shoot. Down the other end the shooters were tearing it up with big bombs flying in as per usual from Kirsty. The connection between the Megan and Kirsty from playing many years together as juniors was fab. Lots of baseline drives, pops and swinging of the ball which created a fantastic second quarter score of 15-10, which had Club leading 24-22 at half time.

Only 2 goals in it and it had been a massive effort from the girls not only to pull back the 3 goal deficit but to add two more on top. The Westcombe Park defence had been allowed to sit right on top of our shooters without being penalised in the first quarter so the third quarter would be tough.

Debbie and Megan did a switch and and as predicted it was a harder quarter with lots of defensive pressure being applied by Club, however Westcombe were on a comeback trail and we weren't getting anything in our attacking circle. Shannon had now found her feet and was getting out on centre passes and really threatening the ball with great results. Two toss ups came Shannon's way and with her eye on the ball she came up triumphant with the Westcombe Park WA clutching at air. As expected the Westcombe Park GS started to get into the game and find her range (under the post!). Unfortunately once she was under that post the possiblity of Club's defence out jumping her on the rebounded shots (because she couldn't even get the ones right under the post in first time!) were low. However, they did not give up and actually did manage to get a number of rebounds or penalties in their favour.

Half way through the third quarter a stressed looking Kirsty was not looking her normal bright self on court. Oh no, not the dreaded shin splints!!!! Kirsty called time to umpire and obviously upset started to de-bib! Hang on Kirsty - calm down - where do you think you're going! Yes that's right to GS.... I hope she didn't think coach Sonia Grant was going to come on complete with pink plaster cast and crutches!

Megan M realising Kirsty's injury, took up the mantle and just decided to put shot after shot after shot away which pulled us back into the game as we were not only close to losing the quarter but also losing the lead. This helped Club to pull away and win the quarter 12-9, and extend the lead to 36-31 at the final break.

The last quarter saw a well deserved rest for Debbie who played through her pain and had given 100%. Emma Hall stepped into WA to give beautiful feeds into the circle, with a great eye for space and movement! There was not much in this quarter it was pretty much goal for goal and a massive effort was put in from all the players. Towards the end of the quarter a slight panic did set in when Club kept turning over the ball and had to fight to get it back as if they got it to the GS under the post it would be impossible to stop the goal. Megan H as usual alert to the very end of the game came away with a crucial interception on the edge of the D, as the GS tried to pass out only to find her waiting with open arms to gratefully receive the ball and take it up court for a goal. At last the final whistle. Club were victorious with a 46 v 41 win. One goal short of previous score against Westcombe park, but happy to take the win.

Great work all round but the player of the match had to go to Jemma for a consistent, high work ethic that resulted in turnovers, interceptions and fantastic support to the front court throughout the whole game. Big thanks to Megan M for helping out!

Match report by Sonia Grant