Stratford Ladies Purples 35 Trust Helping Hands 26
Stratford Ladies Blues 33 BDR 30
Comets Tornadoes 56 Pink Ladies 19
Shooters Sparks 31 Thunderbirds 22

In a very tightly fought contest, Stratford Ladies Purples played Trust Helping Hands this week. Trust shot well and took an early lead, but by the end of the first quarter Purples were passing well through the court and led by 2 goals. The match continued to be very close with some excellent interceptions by Trust’s Katie Desmond and Rachel Goodman. However, Purples managed to stretch their lead by a couple of goals each quarter. Trust came back very strongly in the final quarter but fantastic movement from Sam Murdoch in attack for Purples allowed them to hold their lead and take the match.

In an equally close match, Stratford Ladies Blues played BDR. Both teams fought hard and there were some excellent defensive efforts from both teams with Debbie Mertens Dixon (GD for BDR) and Lottie Baird (WD for Blues) both being recognised by the umpires for their interceptions. Blues took an early lead and remained a few goals ahead for the majority of the match. In the last quarter, BDR were closing in quickly with some excellent feeds from Jas Hastie at C. Despite this, Caroline Whitfield kept a cool head and kept the goal count ticking over for Stratford Ladies, giving them the win.

Shooters Sparks met Thunderbirds in the late match. Again, this was a very close match with the lead changing after almost every centre pass. Thunderbirds started strongly and the ball moved quickly through the court with Carolyn Stacey at centre being recognised by both the umpires and her opponents for some great passing and positioning. As the match progressed however, Sparks became more confident in their shooting and were converting at almost every opportunity; Rebecca Heath (GS) likewise gaining both umpires’ player and players’ player.

Comets Tornadoes played Pink Ladies this week in a match with many fantastic interceptions. Pink Ladies demonstrated great flexibility, moving around between positions and had some good passages of play from defence into attack; Charlotte Brookes and Kerry Fox both moved the ball through the court well. Comets, however, had the upper hand throughout the game, scoring regularly despite the damp conditions. Lottie Mayers also excelled at GK for Comets, earning herself both umpires’ player and players’ player, and prevented Pink Ladies from increasing their own goal count.

Player of the match awards:

• Stratford Ladies Blues: Umpires’ player – Lottie Baird, players’ player – Caroline Whitfield.
• BDR: Umpires’ player – Debbie Mertens Dixon, players’ player – Jas Hastie.
• Shooters Sparks: Umpires’ player and players’ player – Rebecca Heath.
• Thunderbirds: Umpires’ player and players’ player – Carolyn Stacey.
• Comets Tornadoes: Umpires’ player and players’ player – Lottie Mayers.
• Pink Ladies: Umpires’ player – Charlotte Brookes, players’ player – Kerry Fox.
• Trust Helping Hands: Umpires’ player – Katie Desmond, players’ player – Rachel Goodman.
• Stratford Ladies Purples: Umpires’ player – Sam Murdoch, players’ player – Rebecca England.

​Comets Tornadoes 46 Trust Helping Hands 44
Shooters Sparks 19 BDR 21
Stratford Ladies Blues 29 Stratford Ladies Purples 33
Shooters Flames 57 Pink Ladies 12

A great morning of netball - with -5 forecast there were concerned as to whether matches would be played at all, but it turned out to be a crisp sunny morning that hosted some excellent, close run games.

The match between Comets Tornadoes and Trust Helping Hands was tight from the first whistle.  At the first interval, Trust led by one goal; at half time Comets inched it by one.  And so it was throughout the game, the points could have gone to either team.  Lucy Mellor provided excellent all round support for Comets across the court at WA earning her both player awards.  Vicky Lacey and Holly Jackson had a superb partnership in the attacking circle for Trust with Holly also picking up both player awards.  At the third interval Comets came in with a two goal lead, but the final quarter the score draw level and both sides took the lead at different points.  The five points eventually taken by Comets in a game thoroughly enjoyed by all on the court.

This match also saw Jemma Moore of Shooters Flames being observed for her C Award pre-assessment, which she passed so many congratulations to her.

Meanwhile on the other court, Shooters Sparks and BDR were playing out an equally close game.  Anna Philpott at C for Sparks supported her team throughout to earn her umpires' player and GA Beth Morgan was recognised by the opposition for some great shooting.  For BDR, Ami Mertens Dixon's shooting was on point to earn her both umpires' and players' player.  With just two goals separating the teams at the final whistle, BDR take five points moving them ahead of Thunderbirds in the table who had a bye this week, and Sparks took a well earned two points.

The late games saw a Stratford Ladies derby with league leaders Purples meeting second place Blues.  Blues took an early lead, ahead by three goals at the first interval.  At half time, that had swung to Purples leading by three.  Laura Urquhart was strong at GA for Purples, picking up players' player with Lottie Baird impressing the umpires with her defensive performance at GD.  Caroline Whitfield at GA using her height and technique to good effect for Blues earned her the umpires' award.  At the third interval, Purples had stretched their lead to six goals.  The match was not without incident with Emily Holmes, C for Purples, taking a tumble in the final quarter and having to come off for a blood stoppage.  The team made hasty changes to accommodate this and she came back on with a few minutes on the clock.  Blues reduced the deficit to just four goals for the final whistle to earn them two points but missing the opportunity to pinch top spot from their stable mates with a win.  The teams posed for a 'derby match club shot' before the game, and went for a well earned Sunday roast afterwards.

The final match saw Shooters Flames meet Pink Ladies.  Despite the final score, Pink Ladies didn't make it easy for Flames.  Charlotte Brookes at C for Pink Ladies picked up the umpires award for consistency across court and Lisa Blake at GA was recognised for her shooting again by the opposition.  Lucy White and Scarlett Hitchman, GK & GD for Flames had a great game together working hard at tips, intercepts and rebounds, while Kathy Moore at WD picked up the umpires' award for great through court work

Player of the match awards:

Comets Tornadoes: Umpires' and players' player - Lucy Mellor
Trust Helping Hands: Umpires' and players' player - Holly Jackson
Shooters Sparks: Umpires' player - Anna Philpott, Players' player - Beth Morgan
BDR: Umpires' and players' player - Ami Mertens-Dixon
Stratford Ladies Blues: Umpires' player - Caroline Whitfield, Players' player - Emily Turoczy
Stratford Ladies Purples: Umpires' player - Lottie Baird, Players' player - Laura Urquhart
Shooters Flames: Umpires' player - Kathy Moore, Players' player - Lucy White
Pink Ladies: Umpires' player - Charlotte Brookes, Players' player - Lisa Blake