1st March
C team vs Ernesford D
Final score LOSS 34-57
Hinckley C faced Ernesford D in the first HLNC game of the day. The first quarter started positively, with the defensive combination of Kaz and Anna turning over plenty of balls to bring hinckley to 10-14. The second quarter improved massively with Abi, Katie and Polly bringing the ball down court, getting the score to 16-27. At half time a few changes were made, with both Anna’s working well in defence, getting the ball back down the court. Chloe and Velvet in shooting positions, kept pushing through and getting their shots in the third quarter. Hinckley C continued to push on to make the score 23-45 after 45 minutes played. Going into the final quarter, Ernesford D made Hinckley keep on working hard making the final score 34-57 to Ernesford. Player of the match went to Chloe for her hard work down the court and accurate shooting.
D team vs Ambleside E
Final score WIN 36-34
Hinckley D played the last game of the day against Ambleside E.
Firstly, with the sun shining, it was lovely to see so much support on the sideline from both teams.
Hinckley D started off strong with some excellent rebounds and turnovers in defence. The game felt very close throughout but Hinckley managed to keep the lead through each quarter.
With a squad on the day, Hinckley made some changes in the 3rd quarter to put pressure on mid court and also on the tall Ambleside goal shooter.
With a change the defence from Ambleside also, it was getting tight. Some amazing ball placement and creating space from the attack made ball into the circle for the Hinckley shooters easier, with success at goal.
Hinckley finished the game after a tense 4th quarter with the win, 36-34.
E team vs Henley F
Final score LOSS 21-29
Hinckley E played Henley F in a midweek night fixture. Hinckley started off slowly after a few weeks break from the court, taking time to settle but they eventually got into a rhythm & went ahead 8-4. Defence were intercepting many balls & gaining turnovers making it difficult for the Henley attack. At half time, although a low scoring half, Hinckley had increased their lead to 12 – 8.
The pre-agreed changes at half time for Hinckley in both attack & defence did not work well, although Henley also made many changes to their defence & also changed their GS. There was a lot of contact & contest during the next 2 quarters & Hinckley struggled to get the ball down court to the shooting circle & only managed to score 2 goals in the 3rd quarter. Henley went ahead & continued to push hard (literally!). Hinckley made a couple of further changes in the last quarter but Henley retained their lead & went on to win. A disappointing result for Hinckley losing 21 – 29 in Henleys favour. Pom went to Ellie Walsh playing WA for the second half of game.
E team vs Ambleside F
Final score WIN 46-18
Hinckley E Team took on Ambleside at home Saturday and delivered a dominant performance from start to finish. They got off to a flying start, moving the ball smoothly down the court and creating excellent space for precise passes into the circle. Their strong defensive effort kept Ambleside’s attack out of the circle in the first quarter, which ended 10-2 in Hinckley’s favour.
Maintaining their momentum, the E Team produced some outstanding turnovers from both attack and defence, extending their lead to 20-6 by halftime. On a sunny day, they continued to control the game, driving for every ball and working seamlessly through the channels. Continuous scoring from the shooters made for a final score of 46-18, this was undoubtedly their best performance of the season, showcasing skill, teamwork, and determination.
For the second time this week player of the match went to Ellie Walsh, who consistently delivered accurate feeds into the circle & worked well with the attacking players.
25th February
A team vs Leamington B
Final score WIN 59-57
Hinckley A took on top-of-the-table Leamington B on Tuesday, 25th February, following the half-term break. Hinckley took a four-goal loss when they played Leamington on the reverse fixture at the start of the season and were expecting a hard-fought game. Despite the two week break, and being on the back of two losses, Hinckley flew out of the blocks. Their attacking midcourters Beth Thurairjah and Molly Savage linked up beautifully with their shooters, racking up a huge 19 goals in the first quarter alone. Whilst Hinckley’s defensive end, Jess Rainbow, Daisy Savage and Victoria Stevens kept Leamington to just 11. Leamington came out strong in the following quarters matching Hinckley goal for goal but just edging ahead on each quarter score. An injury to Goal Attack Lucy Marsden, brought the return of D’arcey Arrowsmith from long-term injury, connecting strongly with Goal Shooter Holly Hemsley, whose accurate shooting and smart positioning rewarded her with a well-deserved Player of the Match. Hinckley held on tight to their lead throughout the game, earning a 59-57 win, gaining them a vital 5 points, and rocketing them up to second on the table.
8th February
A team vs Ambleside B
Final score WIN 63-59
A feisty game awaited Hinckley ladies A this Saturday against Ambleside B. After already having a rearranged fixture midweek, the As were eager to go. They brought their literal A game and with some solid play all the way down the court ending the first quarter with a 1 goal lead. Using patient triangle work around the circle and well thought out feeds into the shooters utilising their space well, Hinckley Ladies A kept pushing and maintained their lead 31-30 after the first half.
Spirits were high throughout the team and words of encouragement maintained focus and their skilled netball. Some fantastic defensive pressure in the circle left Hinckley Ladies A with a 3 goal lead by the end of the third quarter. Erika Payne made her A team debut coming on in the final quarter to help out the defensive end.
Defence worked incredibly hard and forces many errors into their tall shooter. Tight in the circle with some fantastic turns.
After a good fight Hinckley ladies lost 63-59 despite some great shooting from player of the match Holly Hemsley.
B team vs Leamington E
Final score WIN 39-33
An uneasy start for the B team game against Leamington on Saturday as Annis was ill and couldn’t play. Anna Clayton stepped up to the challenge of filling in and played a brilliant game with numerous interceptions.
The game started steady with both sides fighting hard for the ball. At quarter time Hinckley had edged away with an 11-8 lead. The pressure stayed on for Hinckley with Leamington GD giving Hannah Wallace lots of hassle when trying to get into the shooting circle. Our super shooters; Hannah and Carole Payne stayed calm and worked the ball around the circle between them, Sue Ley and Erika Payne. Once in the circle, the shots went in.
The Defensive team of Emma Draycott and Lucy Chapman worked hard against the fast paced shooters and gained some good turnovers.
Hinckley managed to consistently keep their lead throughout the game which ended 39-33 to Hinckley. Player of the match went to a well deserving Erika Payne for being our interception Queen.
C team vs Copsewood D
Final score WIN 29-28
Hinckley C played against Copeswood this week and won 29-28. The first quarter was a strong defensive battle, with great movement up the court. The second quarter ended in a 14-14 tie, with both teams showing patience and solid defence. Hinckley dropped two goals in the third quarter, but made a strong comeback in the final quarter, thanks to excellent communication between Chloe and Velvet. Velvet was Player of the Match which was well deserved due to her perseverance against the tough defence.
D team vs Bulkington C
Final score LOSS 30-38
Hinckley D played Bulkington C at home this week in a competitive and well-matched game. Bulkington started strong, taking a slight lead in the first quarter and finishing 9-6 ahead.
Hinckley made no changes going into the second quarter and came out with great energy. There was excellent movement across the court, from defense through to attack, with some well-worked play around the shooting circle from Summer Ashley and Isla Gilby. Despite their efforts, Bulkington held onto their lead at halftime, with the score at 17-14.
At the break, Hinckley made a few changes, bringing on fresh legs. Charlotte Pinkham and Alice Bates in center court worked hard to turn over several of Bulkington’s center passes, and the attack made the most of these opportunities. By the end of the third quarter, the score was close at 26-24 to Bulkington.
Going into the final quarter, Hinckley remained determined. The defense put in some great interceptions, helping to bring the ball down the court quickly and convert it into goals. The teams were level midway through the quarter, but Bulkington managed to pull ahead in the final minutes, securing a 38-30 win.
POM was awarded to GK Ella Wilkinson for her brilliant defensive work, making a real difference with key turnovers and pressure throughout the game.
1st February
B team vs Henley D
Final score WIN 52-50
Hinckley B played Henley D team away on Saturday. Hinckley defence overturned a number of missed shots by Henley with Hinckley leading 15-13 after the first quarter. Hinckley made a change in the team & continued their lead 27-23 by the end of the 2nd quarter. Half time saw accurate shooting from both sides. Defence Emma & Lucy held great marking positions to reduce the Henley’s shooters from scoring. Abbie worked hard to help bring the ball towards the Hinckley attack. Erika made numerous tips preventing Henley maintaining possession. Susan fed the ball into the Hinckley shooters, with CP confidently holding her space & making great shots & Hannah making fast runs into the circle. Player went to Hannah for her athletic fast runs outwitting her opponent into the circle, passes & accurate shooting. Well done to everyone! Final score saw a win for Hinckley 52-50
C team vs Alvis B
Final score WIN 42-22
Hinckley C faced Alvis B in the first HLNC game of the day. The first quarter started positively, with the defensive combination of Kaz and Anna turning over plenty of ball to take Hinckley C in to the first break 11-7 up. The second quarter saw much of the same, patient play where needed between Abi, Beth and Katie in the midcourt positions, and some great rebounds saw Hinckley C extend their lead to 21-10 at half time. Chloe and Polly in shooting positions kept converting their shots in the third quarter and Hinckley C continued to push on to make the score 34-14 after 45 minutes played. Some changes in defensive positions and a final quarter surge from Alvis B forced Hinckley C to work hard for every pass in the final few minutes, and with great support from the sidelines, Hinckley C took the win 42-22. Player of the match went to Beth Swain who worked tirelessly in C!
D team vs Alvis C
Final score WIN 58-17
Hinckley Ds had an away game this week against Alvis C. Hinckley started strong with the ball flowing nicely down the court and lots of accurate shooting, ending the first quarter 15-2 to Hinckley. Effective play from Hinckley saw them grow their lead, with strong passing in mid court from Charlotte Pinkham and Thea Weaver, finishing half time 25-5 up. Hinckley continued to increase their lead in the second half of the game, with Amber Nixon and Maia Corbett remaining strong in defence and working the ball down to Hinckley’s attack. Hinckley were pleased to finish the game with a win and a final score of 58-17. Player of the match went to Isla Gilby for her fantastic shooting throughout.
E team vs Alvis D
Final score LOSS 33-34
Hinckley E played against Alvis D on Saturday afternoon. Hinckley started with a steady pace down court with patient work in both attack and defence. The first quarter saw an even game with play moving end to end, the first quarter ending 6-7.
The second quarter saw a swap in attack and Hinckley took the lead in the quarter. Defence were working hard to turn over the game, mid court were steady, bringing the ball the full length of the court and the shooters were working and moving around the circle to get the goals. At half time, Hinckley were up by 2 goals, 14-12.
Many changes at half time (again using their whole squad) were made across the team in various court positions. Attack were working well together in the circle driving out and creating space for each other. Defence continued to intercept and put pressure on the Alvis shooters (who were particularly tall & strong) allowing some turnovers.
The final quarter saw both teams put in 100% to try and get the win, fighting gor sny loose balls. It was a very close game with Hinckley just missing out on the win by 1 goal. Alvis won 34 – 33. It was a brilliant effort from everyone, working together as a team and continuing to support each other. Pom went to Ellie Walsh at WA/C who had a full game on court .
28th January
E team vs Bulkington D
Final score WIN 23-20
Hinckley E played Bulkington D in an evening match this week. Play was even with both teams matching each other goal for goal the first quarter ending 6 – 7 in Bulkington’s favour.
In the second quarter play remained consistant, again going goal for goal & stayed quite low scoring, a lot of play being in centre court following turnovers by defence & ended 12 – 13, Hinckley still just behind.
As planned utilising their full squad, Hinckley made 4 changes to the team, the third quarter was their best with defence doing an awesome job stopping many chances for Bulkington to score. Hinckley also were fired up in attack this quarter with fresh energy & went ahead 21 – 15.
The last quarter was close with Bulkington’s defence intercepting many balls, however Hinckley managed to keep their calm & despite only scoring a couple, went on to win the game 23 – 21. Pom went to Amy Stuckey who did an amazing job in the defensive circle, particularly in the second half of the game.
27th January
D team vs Bedworth
Final score WIN 45-10
On Monday night, Hinckley D’s played Bedworth A at home in a rearranged evening match. It started well with Hinckley creating a lovely flow that led to the 1st quarter ending in 14-4 to Hinckley. The second quarter remained strong, even with the adverse weather and heavy rain, ending with 24-6. Going into the third quarter Hinckley made some changes to both attacking and defensive ends, working well to maintain the lead to 33-9. Despite the weather, Hinckley managed to secure the win with a final score of 45-10. Player of the match went to Ella Wilkinson for her numerous tips and fab performance in defence.
25th January
A team vs Earlsdon Highway C
Final score WIN 57-52
Hinckley A were raring to go on Saturday despite playing a closely contested match less than 24hrs before. They worked hard and earned their lead in the first quarter against a strong Earlsdon Highway side, 17-12. Hinckley kept their momentum during the second quarter and finished the first half up by 32 goals to 24. Earlsdon Highway came out fighting in the third quarter, and despite Hinckley’s relentless defence from Victoria Stevens, Daisy Savage, and Jess Rainbow, they managed to chip away at Hinckley’s lead and bring the score back to a much closer 41-40. Hinckley dug deep in the final quarter, finding their rhythm again and safely converting the goals. Player of the match, Molly Savage, turned over crucial ball during the final quarter; her and WA, Beth Thurairajah, fought hard to keep possession and safely carry the ball down into Hinckley’s attacking end. They accurately fed into shooters Lucy Marsden and Holly Hemsley, who remained strong against Earlsdon Highways brutal defence and ticked off more goals on the score sheet. Hinckley kept their heads and gained another win, taking them into third spot on the league table with a final score of 57-52.
B team vs Earlsdon Highway D
Final score WIN 45-27
Hinckley B team played at home this weekend, welcoming Earlsdon Highway D team- we were blessed with glorious sunshine and blue skies for the occasion.
Hinckley B team took the lead early on in the first quarter, 12-6, there was lots of encouragement and good teamwork especially around the attacking circle. Hinckley’s momentum continued with some amazing turnovers from the defence, allowing the attackers more opportunities to build upon their lead, the score at half time was 22-12
Hinckley finished with a brilliant score of 45-27.
Player of the Match was given to Emily Harrison for her excellent shooting.
C team vs Copsewood D
Final score WIN 36-33
A tight game for the Cs this week. Hinckley taking the lead in the first two quarters with some good movement down court. A few changes from Copeswood in the third quarter led to them pulling 2 goals in front going into the last quarter. Chloe as GA led some excellent triangles and shooting earning a well deserved player of the match.
Hinckley with some positivity and communication pulled forward winning by 3 with a score of 36-33. Excellent game for the Cs.
D team vs Offchurch E
Final score WIN 24-22
Hinckley Ladies D played Offchurch E this Saturday in a thrilling and nail biting match.
Offchurch’s strength took Hinckley by surprise in the first quarter and they managed to net four goals without a response from Hinckley in the opening minutes. Hinckley rallied and with some great team work managed to put some points on the board and end the quarter 5-10 to Offchurch.
The second quarter was dominated by the defensive ends resulting in it being low scoring for both teams. Offchurch’s defence managed to limit Hinckley to two goals but with a brilliant defensive effort from the whole team the opposition only managed five goals and the half time score was 7-15 to Offchurch.
Confident they could still pull it back, Hinckley made some tactical changes in the shooting circle and attacking end going into quarter three which proved fruitful. The team settled and began making good use of their reset options and keeping the ball safe. With the attacking end also rewarding the turnovers won by the defensive team, Hinckley began to close the gap ending the quarter 16-21.
Hinckley connected as a team across the court during the fourth quarter. Due to strong defensive pressure and rebounding and some impressive shooting, the score levelled with a few minutes left to play. The final minutes were nerve wracking but the team kept level heads and managed to finish the game with a 24-22 win, limiting Offchurch to just one goal in the final quarter!
A very well deserved player of the match went to Ella Wilkinson in goal keeper.
E team vs Cov & NW G
Final score LOSS 44-63
After a few weeks off, Hinckley E returned to face a tough Cov and NW G team. Despite having a difficult game ahead the team went in with a positive attitude and started the game well with some strong attacking play. Some lovely play down court from the defensive end resulted in some fantastic feeds into the circle from Ellie Walsh and Chloe Ley, with both shooters taking the opportunity to score. Cov and NW played well throughout the first half and maximised every opportunity, some good intercepts and turnovers at the centre pass allowed them to break away with a 33-21 at the end of the second quarters. A change up at half time from Hinckley saw them start the half strong again with some brilliant defensive intercepts from Hannah Simpson and Phoebie Bakewell. Hinckley attack and defence worked well together throughout the third and fourth quarter with some great possession play however the attack of Cov and NW proved too strong and took the win with a final score of 63-45. Player of the Match went to Ellie Walsh for her excellent all round performance and brilliant circle feeds.
24th January
A team vs Harbury A
Final score WIN 57-49
A rearranged fixture meant Hinckley A travelled to Harbury on Friday 24th. A shaky first half from Hinckley resulted in them behind at half time 24-29. A passionate team talk allowed Hinckley to dominate the third quarter, closing the Harbury score and taking the lead winning Q3 19-10. A strong defensive effort from Victoria Stevens, Daisy Savage and Jess Rainbow allowed possession to fall back into Hinckley’s hands. Mid court were able to capitalise on this and successfully get the ball to attack built up of Beth Thurairajah and player of the match Molly Savage. The fantastic movement and shooting from Lucy Marsden and Holly Hemsley meant Hinckley finished the game 57-49.
20th January
D team vs Rugby D
Final score WIN 38-29
In a fiercely contested netball match, Hinckley Ladies D Team emerged victorious with a well-earned 38-29 win over Rugby Ladies D Team. Hinckley came out strong, setting the tone early with quick passes and accurate shooting. The defence of duo Amber Nixon & Maia Corbett was equally impressive, forcing turnovers and restricting Rugby’s goal-scoring opportunities. Rugby responded with determination, narrowing the gap with strong mid-court play and sharper shooting. However, Hinckley maintained their lead score at half-time was 26-16. The third quarter saw Hinckley maintain control of the game. Their attacking third delivered an outstanding performance, with exceptional shooting from Lucy Ibbetson and Isla Gilby ensuring a 10 goal lead at quarter time, 32-22. Hinckley maintained the intensity, sealing the win with clinical finishing and excellent teamwork. The final score read 38-29 to Hinckley. Player of the match was goal shooter Lucy Ibbetson who showcased precision shooting and excellent movement in the circle, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
18th January
A team vs Bulkington A
Final score WIN 59-40
Hinckley A took on Bulkington away this Saturday. The first half of the game was a close contest with each side matching eachothers goals, Hinckley worked hard to gain possession and move the ball quickly down towards their attacking end. With a change in centre court at half time, Hinckley started to pull away. Defensive pressure got stronger as the game went on throughout the court, with multiple forced errors and turnovers. Hinckleys attack capitalised on these to convert to goals. A strong final quarter continued to extend the lead. Hinckley took the win 59-40. Player of the match Holly Hemsley.
B team vs Ambleside D
Final score LOSS 38-48
Hinckley B played Ambleside D in a cold start to the season. During the well fought and well contested game the score line was constantly altering with Ambleside leading at the end of the first quarter, then Hinckley pulling it back and winning the second quarter. Heading into the second half Hinckley were ahead 22-18. Both team applied pressure to their opposing attack but in the end Ambleside went away with the win, an unfortunate loss for Hinckley, but lots to take away and improve on. Player of the match went to the well deserved Emma Draycott, who made some lovely tips and put pressure on their attack in the circle. Hinckley B vs Ambleside D 38-48.
C team vs Cherry Bombs A
Final score WIN 39-38
Hinckley C and Cherry Bombs A faced each other for the second time on bitterly cold morning at Pingles.
The game started with Hinckley getting some turnovers, but also giving some centre passes away meaning the first quarter ended 11 all.
Hinckley kept the line up the same as GD Abi and GK Anna C were getting interceptions and shooters Chloe and Velvet were getting the goals in.
As Ginckley settled into the game, Katie at C, Caron at WD and Polly at WA kept bringing the ball down court safely and made good use of turnovers to pull ahead by the end of quarter 3 31-27. A shaky last quarter had Hinckley C worried but they stayed calm to finish with the win 39-38. POM went to Abi at GD for great energy and interceptions.
D team vs Griff & Coton A
Final score LOSS 56-19
HinckleyHinckley D played against Griff and Coton A on Saturday. The game started with Griff very much in control with the 1st quarter ending with a lengthy lead to them. A rejig in attack going into the 2nd quarter helped Hinckley gain a few more goals, along with some brilliant defence and some nice passages of play. The team showed great teamwork with an improvement of communication throughout the game. Despite this, Griff managed to keep their lead until the end, with the game finishing 56-19 to Griff. Player of the Match went to Maia Corbett for an excellent performance in defence.
21st December
B team vs Offchurch C
Final score LOSS 36-40
Hinckley B played against the second placed team the league in a battle to secure top spot. Offchurch C began strong and turned over some Hinckley centres to get in to a leading position. Hinckley defense put pressure on the tall Offchurch attack by their close marking, fighting for every rebound and intercepting any ball possible. The score at half time was 24-12 in Offchurch’s favour. A tactical change was made by Hinckley which helped the flow of their game. The ball travelled down the court nicely and with great communication and timing, was fed in to the shooting circle to allow Hinckley to narrow the gap. Hinckley had more possession in the second half and with forever tight marking in defense, this forced Offchurch to create some errors which Hinckley B capitalised on, this showed as the final score was 40-36 to Offchurch. Player of the match went to Cara Stuckey who played an amazing game!
17th December
A team vs Rugby Ladies A
Final score LOSS 36-55
Hinckley ladies A had a rearranged fixture on a windy Tuesday night against Rugby Ladies A. Hinckley started off strong with a solid attack, ending the first quarter drawing 12-12. After a second quarter dip they upped the pressure with Victoria Stevens and Daisy Savage tipping many a ball and snatching up rebounds. There were smooth transitions in the mid court from Jess Rainbow, Beth Thurairajah and Molly Savage. Although Hinckley were down, they maintained their slick triangles and feeds, and Lucy Marsden and player of the match Holly Hemsley kept up their fantastic shooting. Despite fighting till the end, Hinckley lost with a final score of 36-55.
16th December
E team vs Bedworth B
Final score WIN 40-17
Hinckley E played Bedworth B away on a re-arranged night fixture. Hinckley started strong with their attack dominating Bedworth and some fabulous drives into the circle saw Hinckley score 13 goals to Bedworth’s 5. Defensively Hinckley had made a change to previous line-ups, but wanting to work some new combo’s with the 10 player squad available to give depth to their team, the defensive duo in the circle worked really well and stopped Bedworth’s attack, who only managed to score 2 goals in the next quarter. At half time the score was 7 – 20 to Hinckley. Hinckley made 3 changes, 2 in defence and 1 in attack and changed the C position. Despite the changes Hinckley continued to dominate with play flowing effortlessly down court. The defence continued to get numerous interceptions, with their changed GK & GD working well together, centre court
14th December
B team vs Arley’s Angels
Final score WIN 66-36
Hinckley B team played Arleys Angels, and needed another win to keep promotion in their sights. Hinckley started the game cautiously, as a few changes due to illness and player availability at the last minute meant they had some new combinations in centre court. Leading 14-10 after the first quarter the mid court players started to click, and with some unbelievable intercepts from WD Hannah Wallace the game started to come to life, with Hinckley finishing the half 9 goals in front. Katie Phillips stepped up from the C team at centre and her drive down court along with WA Susan Ley gave the shooters plenty of opportunities with great feeds from both players into the circle.
The last 15 minutes saw the whole team really gave it their all. Annis Pears at GD hustled the shooters and Emma Draycott’s long arm lean kept Arleys goals to just 7. While at the opposite end, the Hinckley shooting pairing of Cara Stuckey at GA and Carole Payne at GS had their best game yet, firing in 19 goals to take the final score to 66-36 giving the B team the goal difference they needed to take top spot in Division 4. Joint PoM’s went to Susan Ley and Annis Pears.
C team vs Ernesford E
Final score LOSS 32-52
In the final game before Christmas for the C’s, Hinckley C came up against Ernesford E. From the off Ernesford stamped their mark in the game and whilst Hinckley put up a good fight, by the end of the first quarter it was 14-9 to Ernesford. A couple of changes were made within the Hinckley side and they started the second quarter strong with some excellent passages of play by Beth Swain, Katie Phillips and Chloe Phillips, backed up by GD Abi E. However, Ernesford continued to make it hard work for Hinckley and at half time the score was 24-15. Hinckley continued to push but Ernesford were determined to win and the score on the final whistle was 52-32. Player of the match went to GK, Karen Malkin.
E team vs Earlsdon Highway F
Final score WIN 32-31
In a closely contested match, the E team faced Earlsdon Highway F on Saturday. The game started off well and some slick play was on display with great feeds into the circle and a number of fantastic shots. It was a slower start to the game for both teams, and the E’s were down by 4 going into the second half of the game. A change in positions at half time saw fresh legs enter the court and a number of interceptions from the whole team, particularly from Amy Stuckey and Ellie Walsh. The end of the third quarter saw the team going into the last with a 22 all draw. Determined to take home a win, the whole team dug deep and needed several turnovers to go ahead of the opposition. Highway pulled away slightly but the E’s didn’t let this phase them and went into the last two minutes 2 goals up. Having clung on, they eventually took the win at the final whistle, 32-31. Player of the match was Tracey Pallett with her impressive attacking and shooting skills.
30th November
A team vs Earlsdon Highway B
Final score WIN 49-47
This Saturday Hinckley A took on top of the league Earlson Highway B at home. A strong start and lots of attacking and defensive turn overs saw Hinckley pull away in the first quarter 15-10. The ball flew seamlessly down court with some lovely play from our mid court and attackers, which allowed Hinckley to extend their lead to 29-20 going into the second half. Earlson Highway came out fighting, having only lost 1 game previous, were determined to close the gap. Some crucial turnovers in defence and expert shooting by Holly Hemsley and POM Lucy Marsden secured the well fought win for Hinckley. Final scoring being 49-47.
B team vs Stockton C
Final score WIN 39-33
In a closely contested match, Hinckley B’s were away on Saturday to face the recently relegated Stockton C team. Starting off a bit shaky, the team rushed their game which resulted in a few erratic passes and silly mistakes, allowing Stockton to take the initial lead, 7-9. Heading into the second quarter, the squad seemed to find some rhythm and the ball was worked around the circle edge and into the attackers with more accuracy and precision. The opposition were not going to make it an easy game though and managed to capitalise off of multiple turnovers to continue their narrow lead. Some half time changes saw a new attacking and defensive combo in play and a quick pep talk to fight for every ball and keep driving forward meant that Hinckley began to settle and play a more patient game. Defence put arms up over every shot and attack became an option when working the ball down court. There was less panic in the air and a great shift in momentum to dig deep and lift energy and spirits, with the B’s wanting to continue their winning streak. Thankfully, some turnovers allowed Hinckley to creep ahead until the final whistle, winning 39-33 and preventing Stockton from taking 2 points from getting within 5. Player of the match went to Emily Harrison for her consistency at goal attack.
C team vs Stockton D
Final score WIN 49-28
The first quarter started very close with Hinckley ahead by just 3 goals. The second quarter worked well as Hinckley fully settled into the game bringing the ball steadily down the court, extending the lead 20-14 at half time. Onto the third quarter, Hinckley had some excellent defensive pressure and interceptions from Anna Clayden and Abi England who both earned a well deserved player of the match with the rest of the team working hard in the attacking end to add more goals to the tally. Hinckley then led by 14 goals going into the final quarter. They then maintained their fantastic play to win the game 49-28.
D team vs Offchurch D
Final score LOSS 21-48
Hinckley D faced Offchurch D on Saturday. It was a tight game with the first quarter ending at 6-10 with Offchurch ahead. The movement down court in the second quarter was more fluid helping the ball land into the attacking end with more ease. The oppositions defence however was rapid and their attackers down the other end were tall, meaning Hinckley began to fall back despite their best efforts. The team did manage to gain multiple interceptions and applied the pressure until the very end. The final score going in Offchurch’s favour, 21-48. It was a good game for the Hinckley side to challenge themselves and they aim to come back stronger the next time they face each other. Player of the match went to Tracey who was subbing up from the E’s to play wing attack for her outstanding efforts bringing the ball to goal.
E team vs Ernesford H
Final score LOSS 31-42
With a squad of 10 this week Hinckley E took on Ernesford H. The first quarter started off steady with both sides matching each other goal for goal. Play was very evenly matched and the quarter ended 8-9 in Ernesford’s favour. Hinckley retained their same positions to try and keep up the momentum whilst Ernesford made a change to their centre position who made a difference and was very lively throughout the court. Ernesford broke away scoring more goals and by half time they had increased their lead to 16 – 25. Using the available squad of players Hinckley made 3 changes to their line up for the third quarter. Despite more intercepts in defence and good coverage in centre court, Hinckley were not able to score as many goals this quarter and the gap between the two teams was bigger, 22 – 36. With it all to play for in the last quarter, Hinckley made one further change in attack and they came out determined. The defenders had many turnovers this quarter which the attack then capitalised on by scoring several goals on the trot, closing the gap and giving hope to Hinckley of securing extra points from the match. Unfortunately there was not enough time for Hinckley to close the gap and the final score was 31 – 42. Player of the match went to Ava Brown for her great movement in the circle, and accurate shooting.
28th November
B team vs Henley D
Final score WIN 45-38
Hinckley B continued their busy week of re-arranged fixtures with a hard fought Thursday evening match against Henley D. After a tight start with strong defensive pressure from both teams the score was level at 11-11 at the end of the first quarter. Hinckley pushed on in the second quarter with some great attacking play and tight defence, finishing the half up 25-18. Both teams made changes at half time, with Henley then fighting back to close the gap after the third quarter to only 3 goals. For the final quarter Hinckley changed positions again to keep pressure up on the Henley attack. However, Henley made the faster start to the quarter, pulling back level then edging themselves ahead. Hinckley responded to the pressure, finding their rhythm with a new burst of energy all through the court. Hinckley pushed back into the lead and kept the fight going to the end, holding on to end with a win of 45-38. Player of the match went to Erika Payne.
26th November
A team vs Ambleside B
Final score WIN 64-44
A mid-week game saw Hinckley A’s take on Ambleside’s B team. The game started with a close scoreline with Hinckley managing to pull ahead at the end of the quarter by a 5 goal lead. The second quarter saw Hinckley storm ahead with a huge 20 goals from shooting duo Holly Hemsley and Lucy Marsden, with circle defenders Daisy Savage and Victoria Stevens only conceding 9 goals, leading to a half time score of 37-21. Hinckley continued to push on in the second half with midcourters Molly Savage, Beth Thurairajah and Jess Rainbow connecting through the court seamlessly to give Hinckley a 64-44 win. Goal attack Holly Hemsley with her pinpoint shooting and well-timed drives received a well deserved player of the match.
25th November
B team vs Harbury B
Final score WIN 40-24
Hinckley B kickstarted the week with a rearranged fixture against Harbury B on Monday evening. The team had a full squad to work with which helped when fresh legs were needed to keep energy up. They started the game well, demonstrating strong passes which opened up the court beautifully. The end of the first quarter saw them leading by just one goal. The second quarter saw Hinckley take control and bump their lead by 6. Substitutions by both sides and tactical changes throughout the third quarter took place by both sides but Hinckley continued to dominate with numerous interceptions by wing defence Hannah Wallace and centre Cara Stuckey. Strong defensive play by Annis Pears, Lucy Chapman and Emma Draycott meant the team could capitalise on numerous turnover and lovely attacking drives and feeds into the shooting duo Emily Harrison and Carole Payne by Erika Payne Susan and Susan Ley furthered the teams lead, ending 40-24. Well deserved player of the match went to Cara Stuckey for her great vision on court resulting in multiple intercepts. Another win under their belt for Hinckley B.
23rd November
D team vs Ambleside E
Final score LOSS 28-31
Hinckley D faced Ambleside E at home on a wet and windy Saturday. A close first quarter set the tone for the rest of the game with both teams turning each other’s centre passes and capitalising off of it. Ambleside managed to end the first quarter with a slim lead of 9-6. Hinckley D’s worked hard in the next quarter to win the ball back. The defence put pressure on the passes into the D and managed to win possession back to close the gap. The visitors were then only 1 goal ahead at the end of the second quarter. Hinckley made some positive changes going into the third quarter and started very strong. The attacking movement flowed really well with the ball being moved down the court quickly and effectively. The quarter ended with Hinckley leading 22-21 setting up for an exciting final quarter. The last 15 minutes of the game saw both teams battling hard and making tactical changes. Ambleside then inched ahead and came away with the win with a final score of 31-28, but Hinckley can feel proud of an impressive team performance. Thea Weaver was awarded a well-deserved player of the match for her accurate shooting and fantastic movement at goal shooter.
E team vs Ambleside F
Final score LOSS 20-24
Saturday saw Hinckley E travel to play Ambleside F. A wet and windy Saturday afternoon so conditions not ideal for either team. Both teams were evenly matched at the end of the first quarter with a score of 5-5. Hinckley’s attackers worked tirelessly, whilst our shooters converted under pressure. Another low scoring quarter by both teams with the course of play going back and forth, with plenty of intercepts by defenders and centre court players getting lots of action. By halftime, there was one goal in it with Ambleside just ahead, 10-9. Defensive players intercepted several key passes in the third quarter and made it challenging for the opposition to find their rhythm. In the final quarter, the game was still within reach. Ambleside brought on a very tall experienced GS but Hinckley defenders continued to make it difficult for her. Our players pushed until the last whistle, overall it was a close contest that ended in a narrow 24-20 defeat for the away team. Well deserved player of the match was awarded to Jasmin Bates for her excellent court play, intercepting so many balls in the oppositions attacking half and supporting the centre court players.
19th November
E team vs Cov & NW F
Final score LOSS 17-49
On a frosty Tuesday night Hinckley Ladies E played Cov and North Warwickshire F. The team started off well with some great passage of play down the court however, the first quarter ended 6-13 in the opposition’s favour. Utilising their full squad, changes were made to Hinckley’s attack to try and close the gap but unfortunately Cov & NW tightened their defence, extending their lead to 8-23 despite Hinckley’s defence making several interceptions in the defensive circle. As the third quarter commenced, more changes were made to try and change the course of play however the strong opposition took advantage of their turnovers ending the game 17-49. Player of the match went to Tracey Pallet at goal attack for her impeccable shooting ability and movement on court.
16th November
B team vs Leamington E
Final score WIN 44-26
Hinckley Ladies B secured a 44-26 win over Leamington E on Saturday, continuing their 100% win streak. The first quarter saw a competitive start, with Hinckley edging ahead 9-7, but by halftime, they had settled into their game and extended the lead to 21-14. Hinckley ramped up the intensity in the second half. Fantastic defensive work and smooth feeds into the circle saw them pull ahead to 32-20 by the end of the third quarter. In the final quarter, the team kept their momentum, adding more goals and finishing with a comfortable 44-26 win. Player of the match went to Cara Stuckey who returned from a five-week injury and displayed a standout performance as wing defence.
C team vs Ernesford F
Final score WIN 32-28
The second game of the week for Hinckley Cs saw them up against another Ernesford team, this time their F team. The first quarter started very close with Ernesford ahead by just two goals. The second quarter saw more clinical play, with the team bringing the ball steadily down the court finishing 15-16 at half time. A few changes at half time saw Hinckley move ahead with some excellent defensive pressure and interceptions. Katie as centre led some great movement down the court earning a well deserved player of the match. Hinckley led by two going into the final quarter and managed to keep their heads to finish the match up by 4 with a final score of 32-28.
D team vs Bulkington C
Final score LOSS 32-54
Hinckley D team played Bulkington C in a hard fought match on Saturday. Hinckley got off to a good start in the first quarter with some fantastic turnovers and defensive rebounds. They displayed great teamwork throughout the match alongside some brilliant interceptions, passages of play and accurate shooting. Ultimately, a very good Bulkington side pulled away in the second and third quarters resulting in a loss of 32-53. Player of the match went to Ella Wilkinson for her great defensive work.
14th November
C team vs Ernesford D
Final score WIN 34-39
In a rearranged match on 14th November, Hinckley C faced Ernesford D in an away game. In the first quarter Hinckley started off strong with tips and great interceptions across the court, but Ernesford managed to secure the first quarter 11-10. Hinckley kept their motivation to bring the scoreline closer with the attacking circle working great together to create many chances. Hinckley kept fighting to the end of the match with defensive pressure, more interceptions and a the mindset to fight for every ball. Despite the great netball on display from the C team, Ernesford D took the win 39-34. Player of the match went to Chloe Phillips for her great shooting and her work around the circle as goal attack.
9th November
A team vs Coventry & North Warwickshire A
Final score LOSS 43-45
Hinckley A played away on Saturday against Cov & NW A, who came down from the Premier division last season. It was a tough start for Hinckley, losing possession after a few centre passes and some calls not going their way meant they trailed behind after the first quarter: 6 goals to Cov’s 11. A tactical team talk helped Hinckley find their rhythm and they went out fighting in the next half. Slick play from centre passes through to attack meant they were able to chip away at Cov’s lead and close the gap to just 2 goals heading into the final quarter. Despite multiple turnovers in defence from goal keeper Victoria Stevens, goal defence Daisy Savage, and player of the match Jess Rainbow in wing defence, Cov & NW were able to keep a hold on their two goal lead and win the game 45-43.
C team vs Alvis B
Final score WIN 45-34
The finale of the Hinckley Ladies and Alvis derby on Saturday with the D’s and E’s also facing Alvis teams saw Hinckley Ladies C team face Alvis B on a chilly afternoon, but with lots of supporters wrapped up on the sidelines. The match started with each side holding their centre passes and going goal for goal until Hinckley C pulled ahead to finish the first quarter 14-10. The second quarter saw Alvis B come back strong to finish 20-20 at half time. Spot-on shooting from Chloe Phillips and Velvet G plus some fresh legs from Caron Ogden taking the wing defence bib helped Hinckley C pull ahead again in the third quarter. This change also allowed Abi E to shine at goal defence, getting tips and interceptions and earning player of the match. Hinckley C went from strength to strength and finished the match up by 11 with a final score 45-34.
D team vs Alvis C
Final score WIN 55-19
Hinckley D kicked off Saturday ‘s matches against Alvis C. After their pre-season friendly against them, Hinckley had high hopes for another win. They started strong, bringing the ball through the court steady and patiently resulting into nice feeds into the circle for both goal attack Dara D and goal shooter Lucy Ibbetson to sink them in the net. The first quarter ended with a convincing lead 12 – 3 to Hinckley. Throughout the game, Hinckley became more confident, fighting for every loose ball and creating great turnovers. Defence worked incredibly well together, with both Ella Wilkinson at goal keeper and Amber Nixon at goal defence, communicating on the direction of ball in the circle which resulted in many tips and rebounds. Hinckley finished with an amazing win of 55-17 with player of the match going to Summer Ashley at centre.
E team vs Alvis D
Final score LOSS 19-43
Hinckley E faced Alvis E for their second game of the week! The game began and both teams were evenly matched with only one goal separating the two teams as the whistle brought the first quarter to a close. Alvis made some changes to their attack and defence and the middle two quarters saw them pull ahead thanks to some precise feeds into their shooters and some exceptional play by their defenders. Despite Hinckley’s efforts in attack, Bulkingtons defenders made it extremely difficult for the attack to gain shooting opportunities and Hinckley’s defence were challenged by the springy Bulkington goal attack who kept sinking her shots. Alvis thus extended their lead to 32-17 by the end of the third quarter. Hinckley made further changes around the team, utilising the squad of players available. The team kept their heads high entering the final quarter with some great defensive tips from Hannah Simpson at goal defence and overall great defensive pressure across court by all players. The final score was 43-19 to Alvis E. Player of the match went to Ellie Walsh for her great energy on court both in attack and defence and her many intercepts.
5th November
Hinckley B vs Ambleside D
Final score WIN 49-42
Tuesday 5th November saw Hinckley B take on Ambleside D in a rearranged fixture. As the fireworks lit up in the background, the team got off to a good start despite some errors and took the first quarter with a convincing lead, 17-7. As the second quarter got underway, some silly mistakes saw Ambleside close the gap however Hinckley remained in the lead, 25-20. The third quarter saw more clinical play, but a shift in momentum in Ambleside’s favour meant they were able to capitalise on multiple turnovers, closing the scoreline even more and ending the quarter just 3 goals behind the Bs, 36-33. After a crucial team talk, the B’s went back into the final quarter with a positive mindset and an energy burst to carry their lead to the final whistle. Working the ball patiently down court, the attacking end kept their heads cool and worked the ball nicely around the circle and into the net. Thanks to some fantastic defensive turnovers, the team were able to add more goals to the sheet to finish with a comfortable win of 49-42. Player of the match went to Carole Payne.
Hinckley E vs Bulkington D
Final score LOSS 27-32
Also, on the 5th November, Hinckley E faced Bulkington D. Hinckley started off with a bang (just like the many fireworks showing their support in the background), with some steady play from centre into attack, good feeds into the shooters, and some great defensive tips. However, Bulkington just had the upper hand marginally leading 11-8 after the first quarter. Both teams remained equally matched throughout the next two quarters, with Bulkington sustaining their narrow margin, ending the third quarter ahead by 4, 21-21. As the final quarter commenced, a nasty injury for a Bulkington player halted time. After a small regroup, the team restarted the final quarter with some excellent turnovers and some lovely long-range shots from Tracey Pallett in goal attack. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite enough to close the gap, with the final score 32-27 to Bulkington. Player of the match went to Jasmin Bates for her great defensive tips and attacking mid-court performance. Hinckley were pleased with their overall performance and at least managed to gain an extra point for being within 5 of the winning score.
29th October
Hinckley A vs Synergy A
Final score WIN 61-60
This week saw Hinckley Ladies A team travel to Pingles Leisure centre to take on Synergy’s A team in a rearranged evening game. The team anticipated this fixture to be a close encounter and this was proven to be true with a tight first quarter with Hinckley scoring 16 goals to Synergy’s 14. The second quarter started in very much the same vain with both sides converting their centre passes to goal. However, with Synergy finding strength throughout, they took a fair lead of 31-26 to end the first half of the game. In the third quarter Hinckley’s shooting duo of Holly Hemsley and Lucy Marsden really found their shooting accuracy and with great feeds into the circle and attacking play down the court from Molly Savage and player of the match Beth Thurairajah, Hinckley had a huge scoring quarter finishing with 44 goals, now just a goal behind Synergy. This set for what could have been a nervy last quarter but the Hinckley girls kept their cool and continued their game plan. Defensive turnovers and calls from Daisy Savage and Victoria Stevens and the hard work and tight marking from Jess Rainbow meant that the game went down to the wire. Hinckley managed to secure the win in the dying seconds of the game, ending 61-60.
19th October
A team vs Earlsdon Highway C
Final score WIN 44-40
Hinckley A took on Earlsdon Highway C away on Saturday. With a slow start to the game, Hinckley took a while to settle with a few mistakes being made early on. After the first quarter, Hinckley were down by 5 goals but they fought hard to close the gap to 2 by half time. Hinckley’s attacking end worked tirelessly to ensure that they could get the ball safely into their shooting end, and defence dug deep to keep contesting the ball while making sure the opposition were having to work hard to keep possession. Hinckley came out fighting in the final quarter and picked up their energy to capitalise on key turnovers and convert these to goals. Final score saw Hinckley in the lead, ending 43-40. Players of the match went to both Lucy Marsden as goal attack and Beth Thurairajah at centre.
B team vs Earlsdon Highway D
Final score WIN 42-26
Hinckley B came out strong for their game against Earlsdon Highway on Saturday. Having played them in a pre-season friendly and losing by just 1 goal, they knew they had to put the pressure on from the start to take the win. They maintained good composure throughout the game to allow the ball to flow seamlessly down court and into attack who effortlessly sunk the ball into the net. With two team members down due to availability, and fortunately for the B’s, Beth and Katie from the C team stepped up and slotted in perfectly. Then during the third quarter, after a collision between two Hinckley players resulting in an injury in the attacking end, a third C term sub was needed, and Chloe was welcomed into the game to help the team maintain their convincing lead. Final score was 42-26 to Hinckley with Hannah Wallace gaining player of the match for her super interceptions and versatility on court having played in 3 different positions during the game.
C team vs Copeswood D
Final score WIN 38-31
After a shaky start, Hinckley C made a great come back to win in their third game of the season against Copsewood D. With several players away, Hinckley C took a bit of time to settle into the game and struggled to find their rhythm, going into the second quarter 9-6 down. The start of the second quarter brought some more composed play and Hinckley C started to chip away at the Copsewood lead, finishing the first half 17-17. After a couple of changes, Hinckley found themselves to be more settled and managed to take the lead going into the final quarter. For the final 15 minutes, Hinckley worked steadily down court, and the attack managed to reward some great defensive turnovers resulting in a final score of 38-31. Player of the match went to Velvet for her great shooting.
D team vs Offchurch E
Final score WIN 42-36
Hinckley D played Offchurch E away last week in a fast-paced game. In the first quarter, Offchurch took a slight lead by just one goal, 9-10. After a change in Hinckley’s attacking combination, the team came out fighting in the second quarter, determined to turnover ball and put the pressure on the opposition. With great movement throughout court, from defence all the way to attack and around the goal circle, Hinckley ended the second quarter up, 22-14. Hinckley kept the team the same into the third quarter and also kept their momentum despite Offchurch making changes to their line-up. These changes worked in Offchurch’s favour and saw them start to close the gap with the third quarter ending 31-28. After a team talk heading into the final quarter of the game, Hinckley were determined to come out with a win. Defence worked hard to track the ball, making some incredible tips and interceptions to overturn many of Offchurch’s shots, with attack then bringing it quickly down court to add more goals to the tally. The game ended with a fantastic win for Hinckley, ending 43-37. Player of the match went to Amber Nixon at goal keeper for her numerous tips and defensive pressure.
E team vs Coventry & North Warwickshire G
Final score LOSS 21-43
Hinckley E played Coventry & North Warwickshire G for their third game of the season. The team went into the game knowing it would be tough but kept their heads up throughout. They took a little while to find their feet which allowed the opposition to pull ahead in the first quarter. This forced Hinckley’s defence to fight even harder to ensure the goal difference wasn’t insurmountable. Hinckley made some changes going into the second quarter and began to gel, scoring more than double what they’d managed in the first quarter with some fantastic shooting from Tracey Pallet and Ava Brown. Going into the second half of the game at a deficit but focussed on the positives resulted in an improvement in communication and several turnovers which were converted. Great defensive pressure in the final quarter resulted in C&NW’s lowest scoring quarter but the game still ended with a loss for Hinckley with the final score being 43-21. Player of the match went to Amy Stuckey for her brilliant defensive efforts.
14th October
A team vs Leamington B
Final score LOSS 44-48
Hinckley A travelled to Leamington Rugby Club on Monday 14th to play what should have been the first fixture of the season. They started strongly against Leamington B, taking the lead by 1 after the first quarter and keeping the lead in the second quarter ending 25-23. After a confident first half Hinckley knew Leamington wouldn’t give in and the game continued to be tightly contested and competitive. Entering the last quarter level, Hinckley were determined to continue the calm, tactical play that they had performed with so far. Unfortunately, a few decisions resulted in balls being turned over and taken to goal by Leamington even with the strong defensive effort by player of the match Victoria Stevens. The game finished 48-44 in Leamington’s favour, but vital points were still secured by Hinckley A who are hungry for their next game.
12th October
A team vs Bulkington A
Final score WIN 62-52
After the summer off, Hinckley Ladies A came back to start the season off strong with a tough match against Bulkington A. The team got off on the right foot, turning over ball within the first few minutes and taking it down to the attacking end for shooters Holly Hemsley and Lucy Marsden to sink them in the net. However, Bulkington showed their strength and managed to take the first quarter with Hinckley trailing by 4 goals. With some steady play through the court and brilliant communication, the team pushed on to end the first half in the lead by 3 goals. The midcourt trio of Beth Thurairajah, Molly Savage and Jess Rainbow worked the ball seamlessly down court whilst Daisy Savage and Victoria Stevens in the defensive end kept Bulkington’s attack at bay to prevent them from making ground on the goal difference. Defensive pressure from all players resulted in some forced errors for the opposition, adding more goals to Hinckley’s tally as they headed into the final quarter. Hinckley As secured the win at the final whistle with a score of 62-52. Player of the match went to Molly Savage who controlled the game with very patient play and fantastic feeds into the circle.
C team vs Cherry Bombs
Final score WIN 37-32
Hinckley C faced Cherry Bombs in what proved to be a close fought game throughout. Hinckley started brightly, putting 7 through the net in quick succession, before a positive spell from their opponent saw the teams level at quarter time. The second quarter contained some patient work from Hinckley, with Caron, Anna and Abi putting relentless pressure on the slick Cherry Bombs attack, but Hinckley trailed 14-16 at half time. The C’s came out fighting for the third quarter, with some lovely shots from Velvet and Chloe, supported by Summer and Katie in the attacking third, however Hinckley just couldn’t close the gap and remained down by two, with a score of 24-26 going into the final 15 minutes. After a quick refuel and final team talk, Hinckley dug deep and fought for every loose ball, every rebound, and every goal. Play flowed seamlessly from defence to attack and Hinckley managed to come away with a win of 37-32, clawing back their narrow margin to get 5 points added to the table! Congratulations to Abi England who was voted player of the match for her fantastic work as goal defence.
D team vs Griff A
Final score LOSS 26-50
Hinckley Ds had an away game on Saturday against Griff A. The team went into the game knowing it would be a tough match but still fought throughout. They started the first quarter strong, getting the ball into the attacking circle quickly with accurate shooting from Isla Gilby and Dara Davidcheck. Griff took the lead in the second quarter, but Hinckley kept their heads up and displayed some fantastic netball with great intercepts from Maia Corbett and Ella Wilkinson in defence. Griff continued to extend their lead in the second half of the game, but Hinckley stayed focused and capitalised on turned over ball to work it down the court and into the goal. Hinckley were pleased to finish the game within half, with a final score of 50-26 to Griff. Hinckley’s fabulous shooting throughout the game saw attacking duo Isla Gilby and Dara Davidcheck receive joint players of the match.
E team vs Griff B
Final score WIN 35-25
Hinckley E team played away for their second game of the season on Saturday against Griff B. The team displayed some fantastic netball, showing how well they’ve started to gel together. With a few players missing, they took the opportunity to try out some new combinations during the game. These combinations paid off as they finished the first quarter strong and took an early lead. In the second quarter, the attack and centre court fought hard to keep Griff’s defence at bay and created some lovely space to feed the ball nicely down the court. This type of play continued into the third quarter as Hinckley maintained their lead. The defensive end, thanks to some amazing intercepts and great pressure, kept turning over ball to extend Hinckley’s lead. On the final stretch, the attacking end fed the ball into the circle with ease, allowing for a 10 goal win and a final score of 35-25. Player of the match went to Ava Brown for her excellent accuracy when shooting.
5th October
B team vs Whitnash Warriors
Final score WIN 53-32
Hinckley B team played at home this weekend, welcoming Whitnash Warriors for their first match of the season as well as some glorious sunshine for the occasion. The team took an early lead in the first quarter with a very strong start, full of encouragement and good teamwork especially around the attacking circle. Hinckley’s momentum continued with some amazing turnovers from the defensive end, allowing the attackers more opportunities to build upon their lead, resulting in a half time score of 26-15. As they entered the final half of the game, they dug deep to continue turning over ball and some lovely combinations started to show with the ball moving seamlessly down court into the shooting circle. The team ended with a fantastic win, 53-32. Player of the match was given to Carole Payne for her excellent shooting.
C team vs Coventry & North Warwickshire D
Final score LOSS 40-44
Hinckley C started off the new season with a close fought game against Coventry & North Warwickshire D. Bringing some new combinations to the court, Hinckley started strongly finishing the first quarter 11-11. In the second, Coventry’s precise feeds to their target shooter started to make a difference but Hinckley held on to finish the quarter only 3 goals behind. With some half time team changes and some new energy on the court, Hinckley continued to put pressure on Coventry’s lead preventing them extending it much further, with a final quarter push to close out the game 44-40 to Coventry. Player of the match went to Velvet Gallacher as goal shooter for her circle work rate and precision goal scoring.
D team vs Godiva D
Final score WIN 32-24
Hinckley D kicked off their season with a match at home against Godiva D on Saturday. With a brand-new squad, all of whom have not played together before, they used the opportunity to gel and try out various combinations to see what worked best. Godiva pulled ahead in the opening stages of the match but Hinckley settled quickly and with some pin point shooting and a goal prevented before the whistle, they managed to end the first quarter with a draw. Hinckley made minimal changes going into the second quarter and continued steadily. Strong defensive pressure on both sides and a lot of mid-court turnovers resulted in a low scoring quarter and a score of 16-16 at half time. The team injected some fresh legs in quarter three and the squad found their groove. With a few turnovers backed up by goals from their own centre pass, Hinckley ended the quarter up by three goals. Both teams were tiring going into quarter four but bolstered by their lead, Hinckley pushed on. The defence worked well as a unit and the shooters found their target meaning the final score was a brilliant 32-24 to Hinckley. Player of the match went to Isla Gilby in goal attack.
E team vs Henley F
Final score WIN 32-13
On their debut league game, Hinckley E got off to a flying start against Henley F at home. The team remained in control from the first whistle, easing into a 10-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Going into the second quarter, the defensive pressure was outstanding with the visitors not scoring a single goal going into half time and Hinckley extending their lead, 19-3. The second half of the game saw much of the same with some great defensive interceptions and some fantastic teamwork setting up the last quarter with a 20-goal lead. The final quarter saw the visitors finding their groove but left it a little late as Hinckley continued to push on and present some brilliant passages of play. The final score ended 32-13 in Hinckley’s favour – a truly fantastic team performance on their first senior league match as a brand-new team. Player of the match was awarded to Ellie Walsh at wing attack for her great attacking play and some lovely defensive tips.