Results from this weekend:

Comets Thunder 26 Shooters 27
Thunderbirds 19 Stratford Ladies Blues 41
CBH 34 Trust Helping Hands 29
Pink Ladies 8 Comets Tornadoes 62

Comets Thunder and Shooters engaged in a very close match this week. Just one goal separating the teams after the first quarter, but Shooters taking a 4 goal lead into half time.  Comets Thunder had a strong third quarter and went into the final period with a 3 goal lead.  Both teams worked hard and with determination; Comets Thunder demonstrated consistent and accurate passing and Shooters showed great movement utilising the bounce pass regularly to great effect.  Finally, Shooters clinched the 5 points with a margin of just one goal, which was a particularly welcome result for them as they played in their new kits, kindly sponsored by Cotswold First Aid, David Moore Family Butchers and Meon Vale Leisure Centre. Shooters are extremely grateful for all of their sponsors support and proud to record a win in their names.  A win for Shooters brings them level on points with BDR, who had a bye week.  Comets Thunder thoroughly deserved their 2 points which keeps them in fifth place in the table.

Thunderbirds recorded a better margin against Stratford Ladies Blues on their return match, scoring more goals and conceding fewer, which they will be pleased with despite the loss against the 4th placed team.  Carolyn Stacey defended strongly against an on form Rebecca England, and centre court was well supported by a strong performance from Amy Towne for Stratford Ladies.

With just a handful of games left to play, the match between CBH and Trust Helping Hands was a crunch match.  Both teams came to the match with just one defeat each, Trust Helping Hands having taken the win on their previous meeting.  CBH led from the first quarter with Holly Jackson at GS rarely off target and excellent midcourt support from Gemma Kealtey at WA.  A change around for Trust Helping Hands at half time saw their defence strengthen with Katie Ford and Jane Fletcher working excellently together.  This allowed Sarah Kemp and Pauline Watson in midcourt to feed more balls into the circle, and Trust Helping Hands began to close the gap.  CBH took the points this time round, with a margin of just 5 goals giving Trust Helping Hands 2 valuable points to keep the pressure on.

Comets Tornadoes took a comfortable win against Pink Ladies keeping themselves currently in 3rd position in the table just 1 point behind Trust Helping Hands.  Despite a strong defensive performance from Pink Ladies' Sarah Blake, Comets Tornadoes managed to improve their goal difference by some margin. As we progress to the last remaining games, Tornadoes only have 2 defeats and currently the strongest goal difference in the league, so the top 3 positions are all to play for.

Umpires' players of the match:

Comets Thunder - Ella Kirby
Shooters - Sian Betteridge
Thunderbirds - Carolyn Stacey
Stratford Ladies Blues - Amy Towne
CBH - Gemma Kealtey
Trust Helping Hands - Sarah Kemp
Pink Ladies - Sarah Blake
Comets Tornadoes - Helen Mellor

Picture of Shooters sporting their new kits made possible by the generous support of their sponsors.

Stratford Ladies Blues 32 Comets Thunder 19
Trust Helping Hands 41 Pink Ladies 7

Another week with the weather interfering with matches.  With snow potentially forecast, players anticipated the call to postpone matches.  9am and the court inspection is undertaken and, although wet, there was no ice so game on... An hour later and the weather hasn't improved and the umpires of the first matches make the call that conditions would only worsen, so for the second time this season, games moved inside, with some being scheduled to be rearranged.

Stratford Ladies Blues began their match against Comets Thunder with just 5 players for the majority of the first quarter when the full team was on court.  Despite this, they made a strong start against the youth team.  Also, early in the 2nd quarter, their GA, Caroline Whitfield, landed awkwardly and injured her right ankle ending her game, and leaving Stratford Ladies to continue with just 6 players.  Becky Morris at GS for Comets Thunder had a great game, holding her position well to take overhead balls and convert regularly.  However, Rebecca England, GS for Stratford Ladies, rarely missed the target allowing her team to take the 5 points for the win.

Trust Helping Hands and Pink Ladies took the court after this match and played out a great spirited game.  Trust Helping Hands made unforced errors early in the game, but regrouped and with some excellent shooting from both Elle Kane and Sally Morris took control of the game.  Charlotte Brookes, C for Pink Ladies supported well from centre court, and when given the opportunity to shoot, Kelly Harrow pulled off some impressive shots to up their tally.  

Umpires players of the match:

Stratford Ladies Blues: Rebecca England
Comets Thunder: Alice Teal
Trust: Elle Kane
Pink Ladies: Charlotte Brookes

CBH 48 - 32 Stratford Ladies Blues
Thunderbirds 19 - 46 Comets Tornadoes
Pink Ladies 12 - 21 Shooters
Comets Thunder 36 - 31 BDR

CBH vs Stratford Ladies Blues was close across the first half with CBH going into half time with a lead of just 5 goals.  They had a strong 3rd quarter, defending well to only allow 3 Stratford Ladies Blues' goals in and stretching their lead to 19 goals before the final quarter.  The game was played at a fast pace with action end to end; Stratford Ladies closed the gap slightly to lose by 16 by the final whistle.  Taking this win puts CBH on top of the division as Trust Helping Hands have a bye this week.

Comets Tornadoes remain in third place after their win over Thunderbirds, who will be pleased with their performance to score 19 against a strong Comets side.

At the other end of the table, Pink ladies and Shooters played a well fought game.  With the first quarter tied at 3 all, Shooters defended well to gain a lead of 3 by half time.  The second half was well contested in all areas of the court, but Shooters managed to extend their lead and took the game 21-12 with Pink Ladies taking a well earned point for finishing with over half the winning score. 

Comets Thunder started strong against BDR with well executed centre passes and centre court players feeding the circle well.  BDR's defence made some great interceptions keeping within 2 goals of Comets Thunder by the end of the first quarter.  Comets Thunder came back stronger in the 2nd quarter with Ella Kirby moving well at GA and shooting excellently taking the lead to 23-14.  BDR's determination after half time showed after half time and they won both of the 3rd and final quarters to close the gap to just 5 goals to take a well earned 2 points from the game.

Umpires players:

Pink Ladies: Jo Haslam
Comets Thunder: Lucie Mellor
Thunderbirds: Carolyn Stacey
BDR: Helen Handy

Shooters: Katie Plank
Comets Tornadoes: Helen Mellor 
CBH: Gemma Ketley 
Stratford Ladies Blues: Hannah Rockett 

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Pink Ladies 9 Comets Thunder 32
Trust Helping Hands 38 Comets Tornadoes 36
Thunderbirds 16 BDR 24

After the Christmas break and bad weather, teams were happy to play on Sunday in cold but sunny conditions.  Comets Thunder took a convincing win from the match against Pink Ladies, despite a strong defensive performance from Sarah Blake.  The 5 points keeping Comets Thunder snapping at the heels of BDR mid-table.  Thunderbirds made a strong start against BDR, taking the lead in the first quarter. BDR defended well in the second, reducing Thunderbirds' lead to 10-7. Great teamwork allowed BDR to take the lead in the third quarter and they maintained this to take the 5 points for the win. 

Trust announced their recent association with Helping Hands Homecare, based in Alcester.  Helping Hands offer support to adults of all ages across England & Wales to stay in the comfort their own homes.  Trust Helping Hands, as they are now known, were proud to play in their new kits due to the generous support of Tim Lee of Helping Hands.  The team faced a big game against Comets Tornadoes, the only team to have beaten the current league leaders this season so far, and who sit in third place.  The game was close throughout as anticipated, with both teams taking small leads at different stages of the match.  The contest in the Comets Tornadoes' shooting circle was well fought with strong performances from Tracey Sone and Becky Fernandes at GS and GA, and Trust Helping Hands' defence of Katie Ford and Ange Sinclair.  Trust Helping Hands took 5 points from the game by just a 2 goal advantage after a well contested and friendly match.  As Shooters were unfortunately unable to field a team this week, CBH take a 35-0 win meaning they stay 2nd in the division tied on points with Trust Helping Hands at the top of the table, but closing the gap on goal difference.  

Umpires' player of the match awards go to:

• Pink Ladies: Sarah Blake
• Comets Thunder: Lucie Mellor
• Thunderbirds: Kizzy Galvin
• BDR: Debbie Mertens
• Trust Helping Hands: Katie Ford
• Comets Tornadoes: Rhi Ridgway