Newbury Netball League: Fusion march towards title
Fusion continued their march towards yet another Newbury Netball League Steiner Premier Division title.
The serial winners faced a tough test against Robinson Foods, but they came through it with flying colours after sealing a 69-48 success.
Fusion took an early lead with some great shooting from GA Holly Humphreys following pinpoint passing from WA Chloe Dando.
They led 18-10 after the first period and they stepped up the pace, with GK and best player Kate Yip outstanding.
Robinson tried to stem the goals, but Fusion were in full flow as they opened up a 39-23 lead.
Robinson’s GS and best player Rachel Cross scored three in a row to close the deficit and they drew the third period 12-12.
But Fusion regained control through GK Claire Beasley to seal another impressive win.
Jets Black kept up the pressure in second place with a 50-25 victory over Jets Extra.
The Extra shooting pair of Elizabeth Craig and Tilly Gudgeon started well, while Aimee Andrews for Extra and Maddy Ettridge for Black competed against each other brilliantly in the centre position.
Black gradually took control to lead 13-9 after the first quarter, then player-of-the-match Hayley Johnson came on as WD and showed her versatility with a series of interceptions.
Black stepped up a gear in attack, with Nikki Barrie (WA) setting up shooters Julia Eatwell and Diane Williams to put their side 27-13 ahead.
It was in the third quarter that Extra began to settle and get more turnover, with Eloise Soarks at WD outstanding.
The quarter ended 39-21 and although Extra’s player of the match Becky Wheeler read the game well, it was Black who cruised home.
Brights snatched a thrilling 30-29 victory over Hungerford Extras.
It was Extras who claimed a 10-4 first-quarter lead, but Brights came out firing in the second period and best player Jess Hodgson (WA) in dominant form, shooters Sharon Bassindale and Nicola Prudden fired them into a 17-13 lead by half-time.
Extras hit back with excellent mid-court play from Laura Fishlock and best player Abi Scarlett to narrow the gap to 22-20, but they just ran out of time.
Newbury 4x4 Centre 1 outgunned David Wilson Homes 60-27.
Newbury stormed into a 16-8 first quarter lead, then powered away to put the game out of reach at 34-15 by half-time thanks to shooters Hannah Jones and best player Kerry Walker.
They stretched that advantage to 47-20 by the three-quarter mark, and they didn’t let up in the final period, despite battling displays from DWH’s Lyndsay Pratt and Holly Buddle.