Newbury Netball League: Jets Black step up title fight in Premier Division with win over Fusion
Jets Black have moved joint top of the Newbury Netball League Premier Division after a 38-35 win over Fusion.
Fusion were on form straight away with great defence from Sophie Lightowlers GD and GK Kate Yip as they created attacks. Jets then settled and Jill Moran and Diane Williams helped them back into the contest, but the game was very even and at half-time it was 21-21. Despite Jets converting their chances, Fusion didn’t back down and there were two points in it heading into the final quarter. Immy Pemberton played a big role for Jets as they went four ahead and, although Natalie Cox helped Fusion maintain their form, it was Jets who took the win.
Newbury 4x4 Centre 1 have also moved level on points with the top two after a 57-35 win over Hungerford Extras. Newbury took control of the game from the very start as Izzie Lansbury and Daisy Dijksman helped settle their side. At half-time, Newbury were 29-15 ahead and they dominated the third and fourth quarters to stretch their advantage.
Robinson Foods are keeping up their chase after a 50-37 win over David Wilson Homes. David Wilson Homes stormed into the lead at half-time, holding a 23-19 advantage, with shooters Kristina Quinn and Becky Salmon being on top form. Robinson Foods stepped up their game in the third quarter and came out fighting. Best player Nicki Archer produced several perfect feeds into shooters Rachel Cross and Catherine Jones as Robinson Foods opened up a 34-30 lead. Both teams fought hard in the final quarter with high pressure from Robinson Foods defence Rhea Bahia, Lee Heaver and Hayley Green winning turnover balls and allowing their side to extend the gap. DWH centre Melissa Meyer and WA Lyndsay Pratt kept battling hard, but Robinson Foods kept the lead.
Jets Xtra secured a 37-30 win over Brights to leapfrog them in the table. The game was closely fought and it was Jets who started the better as they held a 7-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. Brights bridged the gap in the score as GS Cara Perry moved the ball around the circle to create chances. Jets were able to extend their lead as the defensive duo of Becky Wheeler and Eloise Sparks combined to make some impressive turnovers which were capitalised on by best player GS Tilly Gudgeon. Both teams came out fighting in the fourth quarter, but mistakes by Brights were capitalised on by Jets.
Newbury 4x4 Centre 2 remain top of Division 1 after a 46-32 victory over Jade Bailey Birds. The game started very evenly, with both teams playing confidently, just at the end of the first quarter 4x4 Centre managed to a take a four-goal lead, with the quarter finishing 11-7. In the second quarter 4x4 pulled away further with a 9-goal lead into the third quarter. Jade Bailey Birds then came back fighting, with their GD Tiffany making many interceptions across court, making a great start to the quarter, but 4x4 were determined to get the win and managed to maintain their lead. In the fourth quarter Georgina Brain’s shooting (GA – best player for Jade Bailey Birds) was on point but the Newbury team continued to maintain the majority of the possession as they stormed to the win.
Tadley Witches are second after a 44-28 win over Eclipse. After the first quarter, Tadley’s shooting from Jude Taylor and Denise Inaws put them ahead despite strong defence from Amanda’s Irby and Beki Osborne. In the third quarter, it was a battle for possession after brilliant interceptions from Kirsten Thirlwell, Liz Lemm and Kim Fox from Tadley. Tadley’s shooters upheld their streak with more impressive shooting from Inaws and Carol Green and they were rewarded with the win.
Jets White edged out Vipers in a very closely-fought battle as they won 35-32. The first quarter saw Vipers take an early lead, scoring goal after goal, leaving jets lagging behind. The second quarter started with a shuffle of positions for Jets and their shooters hardly missed as they game was 16-16 at the break. In the third quarter, both teams had found their rhythm and had some great movement up court. In the fourth, Vipers came out fighting, but Jets did what they needed to for a win.
In the other game, Caravatti cruised to a 63-18 win over Roots Estate Agents. Caravatti had a great first quarter leading 13-4, but Roots were a player down for a while so kept their play together and consistent. Roots fought hard in the D with strong defensive turnovers and pressure on the attack, but Caravatti’s shooters were unstoppable in the end.
Altair Media moved further clear in Division 2 after a 53-27 win over Hungerford Scarletts. Altair Media won the toss and started the game strong scoring swiftly after their first centre pass. Hungerford Scarlets quickly followed suit and for a while it looked as though the teams were going to go goal for goal. Altair turned the ball over following some excellent centre court play by wing defence Nicky Martin and wing attack Anna Duffelen. A flurry of goals followed allowing Altair to garner a comfortable lead. The game continued but despite some fantastic play demonstrated by Scarletts’ player of the match Tally Gale, Altair Media dominated the play and capitalised on every opportunity. The third quarter saw Jessica Mallison step seamlessly on to the court in Altair’s wing attack bib but Hungerford were not giving up easily. Hungerford rallied and there were just eight points in it heading into the final quarter. Sadly, after picking up an injury in the third quarter, Scarletts’ BP Tally Gale had to sit out the final leg and Hungerford felt her absence as tiredness started to kick in. Altair had set themselves an ambitious target and player of the match Abi Agar was happy to oblige, assisted by Rebecca Shearn, adding 14 goals to Altair’s score sheet against Hungerford’s two.
In the other game, Briars secured a 42-33 victory over Jets Orange. The first quarter saw Briars taking the lead with some excellent defence from WD Amy Broughton and GD Sammy Collins in centre court. The second quarter saw much better teamwork from both teams and the score flipped to Jets favour to lead 20-18. Briars GK Amy White kept a steady defence in the D which restricted Jets opportunities to shoot. The Briars GA Sarah Fenemore maintained great shooting, even with Jets GD Francesca Hand piling on the pressure. The last quarter was a strong one from Briars with a healthy 15 goals scored and Jets lost a little momentum which allowed Briars to take a very well deserved win.
