Wednesday 22nd January
1st Team Netball Tournament at Bryanston.
On Wednesday the 1st team were all on time and ready to go at 7.45am and met in the dining room with lots of excitement about the day ahead. The journey was long but the team entertained themselves with lots of chatting at the back of the coach!
When we arrived at Bryanston, the 1st team did a great warm up, stretched their legs after the journey and were ready for the matches ahead. Their first match was against Millfield, this was a very tough 1st match to play at the tournament. Millfield had already played a match and were warmed up, Amesbury tried hard and although the 1st Team lost 11-2, they did not give up and kept fighting until the end of the match. They did brilliantly to score 2 goals! Millfield were strong and used the whole court with super timing and space, although we lost – it was a great match.
The following match was against Sherbourne Prep, this was a very close match and the 1st Team lost this 4-3. The frustrating thing was that Sherbourne scored the last goal in the last seconds of the match! The ball travelled end to end and it was so exciting to watch the girls pass with accuracy and move into space to receive the ball.
After a two match break and a chance to go into the marquee for a warm up and a hot chocolate and a donut, the third match was against Hanford. Hanford won 7-1, the 1st team tried hard and the score doesn’t reflect how close the game actually was! So, after another 2 match break and more re-fuelling, the 1st team were ready and fired up! They played West Hill Park, who had beaten Sherbourne Prep. The 1st Team drew 2-2 which was a great result and the team show real determination to keep possession of the ball.
We knew the next match was going to be a touch one against Highfield as Highfield had beaten Millfield and we had lost to Millfield! However, the 1st illustrated grit as they went for every ball with 100% and lost by one goal, 4-3. It was such a close match and an exciting one to watch. The team worked had together as a team, showing great collaboration. Their last match in the pool was against Durlston Court, they lost this match 4-1 and again, the score doesn’t reflect how close the match was! There was super intercepting and marking throughout the match.
This meant that the 1st team came 7th in the pool and went through to the ‘Goblet’ round. After refuelling on a bowl of pasta, the 1st team went over to the Riverside Courts. Their semi final was against Barrow Hills and they won 9-0, this was a great semi final and the passes linked down the court and some super shooting. The final of the Goblet was against Barrow, they lost this 8-6 – such a close final! The 1st team were loosing 4-1 at half time and then scored 5 goals in the 2nd half and Ballard scored 4 goals!
Throughout the day the 1st team were encouraging to each other, positive and hard working. Lucy was a super captain and shot well with Lily and Alice, great movement in the D and really supported each other. Alice was a versatile player, also moving to GK too. Raffy, Lissie and Millie O intercepted with commitment and were not afraid to really go for the ball under pressure. Millie M, Charlotte, Lily and Raffy, all played various centre court positions and were adaptable and communicated well on the court as well as moving forward for the ball. The team tried hard, there were some tough matches but still a great day of netball and a special tournament!
Ms Kemp
Head of Girls Games (Maternity Cover)
