4th October
Hinckley B vs Offchurch C
Final score WIN 47-38
Hinckley B played Offchurch C who pipped them for top spot of the table last season. The first quarter saw an even playing field with the ball going back and forth across the court, and both teams fighting to gain possession, ending 10-11 to the opposition. The second quarter saw Hinckley B find their rhythm with the ball moving quicker down court and into the shooting circle where the duo of Hannah Wallace and Carole Payne fought against the wind from Storm Amy, and a tight defence, to sink the shots and take the team in the lead 26-19 at half time. A quick change in attack saw newcomer Lucy Steele take the WA bib again after a fall in quarter 1 and Hinckley continued to add to their lead. Thanks to a solid defence, Hinckley gained multiple turnovers in the final quarter and calmed their play down to keep their lead right until the final whistle. The match ended 47-38 to Hinckley and player of the match went to Carole Payne who’s shooting accuracy was on point.
Hinckley c v Synergy C
Final score WIN 44-18
First game of the season for Hinckley C saw them up against Synergy C. With new team members Alice Bates, Amber Nixon and Sue Ley, Hinckley C were keen to start strong and hit the ground running which is exactly what they did. A strong display in centre court play from Sue and Katie Phillips, and excellent shooting, despite the very windy conditions, from Velvet G and Chloe Phillips saw Hinckley end the first quarter in a convincing lead 15-5. The second quarter saw Synergy make some changes and Hinckley struggled to get in their stride but defensive pressure from Alice, Anna Clayden and Karen Malkin kept the opposition attack from scoring and at half time the score was 23-7. Hinckley let Synergy back into the game in the third quarter but remained composed and went into the last quarter with a defensive change of Amber at GD to keep Synergy at bay and end with a 44-18 win! Player of the match went to Chloe Phillips.
Hinckley D vs Coventry & North Warwickshire F
Final score WIN 30-22
Hinckley D played their first game of the season at home with a great match against Cov and NW F team. Hinckley took a while to find their feet for the first two quarters, with some strong defence from Cov and NW and some strong winds impacting the shooters availability to convert, resulting in them falling behind by just two goals at half time. In the third quarter the attack and centre court fought hard to keep Cov and NW defence away and created some good space to feed the ball nicely down the court. Some excellent feeds into the circle saw Hinckley convert and pull away with a 23-19 lead. This strategic play continued into the fourth quarter as Hinckley maintained a good lead throughout, with defence getting some amazing intercepts and applying some great pressure to Cov and NW meaning Hinckley got another 7 goals to push for the win. On the final stretch, attack created some great opportunities to feed into the D, making for a 7-goal win and a final score of 30-22 to Hinckley D. Player of the match went to Caron Ogden for her speed, patience and accuracy down court.
Hinckley E vs Coventry & North Warwickshire G
Final score LOSS 24-44
Following the successful friendly matches Hinckley E were ready for their first match of the season against Cov & NW G. With 10 from their squad of 12 available the starting line-up took to court.Play was pretty even during the first quarter with the ball going back & forth. Defence had many interceptions in the circle and thanks to good movement in centre court, the team worked well getting the ball into the shooting circle. Despite the strong wind, some fabulous long-range shots were achieved & Hinckley finished the first quarter just behind at 10-12. The second quarter continued in the same way, with everyone going for it but with a few turnovers against Hinckley a couple of heads went down & Cov & NW increased their lead by 6. Hinckley made several changes for the third quarter & whilst Cov & NW had found their rhythm, Hinckley’s changes in defence, centre court and the shooting circle meant they were at a disadvantage as the team did not settle and play was more sporadic, ending the quarter behind by 16. More changes were made for the last quarter and despite Hinckley’s defence having their best quarter only allowing 7 goals to be scored, the attack still struggled against a very tight defence & Hinckley lost the game 24 – 44. A well dwell-deserved player of the match went to Claire Cousin who played GK in her first league match for the club, and gained many interceptions in the circle against an experienced GS.
11th October
Hinckley A vs Coventry & North Warwick A
Final score LOSS 54-62
Hinckley A had their first league game of the season against C&NW. A new team for both sides meant we had lots to play with. After drawing after the first quarter, Hinckley knew it would be a tough and contested game to pull away. The second quarter let Hinckley down in addition with some poor decisions which meant they were trailing at halftime. After a couple of tactical changes in the second half, Hinckley managed to claw back some goals but the damage was already done. The team managed to keep their heads and worked tirelessly right to the final whistle but the final score ended 54-62 in C&NW’s favour. It was an unfortunate loss but a game they are willing to win in the second half of the season when they face the team again. Player of the match went to Molly Insley.
C team vs Coventry & North Warwick E
Final score WIN 43-33
Hinckley C played Cov&NW E this Saturday in an exciting match. Hinckley got off to a flying start with the defensive combination of Amber Nixon, Anna Clayden and Alice Bates keeping the opposition to just three goals in the first quarter. Strong combinations down court and pinpoint shooting left Hinckley with a good lead at quarter time of 10-3. Cov&NW rallied in the second quarter but Hinckley stayed calm and took their centre passes to goal consistently. After a tied quarter the half time score was 20-13 to Hinckley. The third quarter saw Dara D join Hinckley for her debut in the C team. Her speed and great feeds coupled with Velvet G and Chloe Phillips’ impressive shooting bolstered the attack end who maintained their 10 goal per quarter stat. Meanwhile the opposition grew in confidence, and with some long balls to goal began trying to pull back Hinckley’s lead. Hinckley started the final quarter slowly and at one point Cov&NW came within just three goals of catching up. The final 10 minutes saw Hinckley give a final push, and with Katie Phillips working tirelessly in C to apply the pressure and keep the connections strong, the team surged forwards to a strong win of 43-33. A very well deserved player of the match went to Velvet in goal shooter.
D team vs Offchurch E
Final score LOSS 26-35
A tough game for the D team this week, with only five of their team available and three E team players kindly stepping up to help. The team were determined not to let one of the team’s flat-tyre emergencies on the way to the game throw them off, but it did take a little while to find their rhythm! Offchurch settled into the game quickly and built an early lead, but after half time the D’s mixed things up – switching the GK and GS to bring more height into defence and unsettle the oppositions circle. The change worked, and the final quarter was their best spell, with much stronger flow through court and better timing in attack. Caron Ogden had a brief rest from C in the third quarter, but her calm presence and steady feeding into the circle were soon missed, so a tactical reshuffle brought her back to stabilise the middle. Not the result the team were after with Offchurch taking the win 35-26, but the last quarter showed real grit and teamwork. Player of the match went to E team sub Amy Stuckey with a solid performance at GD, reading the game well and turning over the ball throughout! Lots of positives to take forward and build on for the next game.
18th October
A team vs Henley B
Final score WIN 77-50
Hinckley A faced off against new opponents Henley B in what proved to be an energetic and fast-paced game from the first whistle. Despite not having played each other before, Hinckley quickly found their rhythm, moving the ball smoothly through the court and capitalising on early turnovers. Their sharp attacking play and strong defensive pressure saw them finish the first quarter with a 9 goal lead. Henley B came back determined in the second quarter, tightening up their defence and making Hinckley work hard for every ball, closing the gap, but Hinckley’s consistency across the court ensured they still held on to a 6 goal advantage at half time. The third quarter saw Hinckley turn up the tempo once again. The shooting duo in the circle, Holly Hemsley and Fran Tomassoni were on top form, accurately shooting, finishing the smooth feeds from the mid-court, and helping the team pull ahead to a 21 goal lead heading into the final quarter. In defence, Hinckley worked tirelessly to keep Henley B under pressure. Player of the match Daisy Savage was outstanding, reading the game brilliantly, intercepting key passes, and disrupting Henley’s attacking flow. Despite Henley’s continued efforts to fight back, Hinckley A maintained their momentum and composure, seeing the game out in style with a final score of 77–50. It was a strong all-round performance from Hinckley A — fast, focused, and full of team spirit — setting a positive tone for the rest of the season.
B team vs Ambleside C
Final score LOSS 41-57
After a pre season friendly against Ambleside C, the B team knew it would be a tough game, but kept their heads up and went into the game with a positive attitude. In the first half the team struggled to find their feet, but kept fighting and kept working hard. There was some lovely play all around with the ball smoothly coming down court, brilliant defending and great feeds from the whole team. At half time the score was 20-26 to the opposition and a close game going into the second half. Changes were made which saw lots more movement and quick play resulting in a tactical change to return to the team’s best combination. Great defensive pressure and better connections across the whole team saw the game flow improve but Ambleside had crept ahead and maintained their lead ending the game with a loss of 41-57. Cara Stuckey received a well earned player of the match after some amazing long shots, drives into the circle, and lovely defence down court.
D team vs Ambleside E
Final score LOSS 31-37
Hinckley D faced off against Ambleside E in a competitive home fixture that saw momentum shift throughout all four quarters. The first quarter saw Ambleside take an early lead, finishing 9-6 ahead. Hinckley took some time to find their rhythm, with a few early errors costing valuable goals. However, once settled, the team began to connect more effectively across the court. The second quarter was a turning point. Hinckley came out with renewed energy. In defence, a string of vital interceptions and turnovers helped swing the momentum. In attack the team worked well around the circle and saw some fantastic shooting resulting in Hinckley pulling ahead to lead 17-16 by halftime.
Changes in positioning during the third quarter brought fresh dynamics to the game. Hinckley showed strong passages of play with defensive pressure and composed attacking drives. Despite this, Ambleside managed to reclaim the lead, heading into the final quarter 28-22 up. In the final quarter, both teams continued to fight hard. Hinckley worked tirelessly and kept the pressure on, but Ambleside maintained their edge, ultimately securing the win 37-31.
Player of the match went to Lucy Orton who had a strong performance at WA. Despite the loss, the team showed determination, adaptability, and moments of brilliance. Lots to take forward into the next game!
E team vs Alvis D
Final score WIN 37-29
With only seven players, Hinckley E delivered an incredible performance in their second game of the season. In the first quarter, the mid-court moved the ball smoothly down to the circle, using triangles to feed in and out, finishing the quarter narrowly ahead at 11-7 to Hinckley. In the second and third quarters, defence made several brilliant intercepts, turning over numerous balls, which were swiftly transitioned down to the attack. The team repeatedly turned over opposition centre passes, and attack worked patiently around the circle, assisting the shooters to score some excellent goals. Rebounds at either end were fought for leading to a very close 25-23 at the end of quarter three. The final quarter saw fantastic movement and cutting in to receive the ball, piling on the pressure and extending the lead to a fantastic 37–29 win. Player of the match went to Ellie Calvert-Collinson, who showed incredible stamina playing centre for the full game, controlling the play beautifully from start to finish. A superb effort and a brilliant team win for the E’s!
8th November
A team vs Ernesford C
Final score WIN 63-50
Hinckley A played Ernesford C at home on Saturday. After two weeks off, Hinckley came out fighting and the first half of the game was a close contest with each side matching the other’s goals. At halftime, Hinckley was up by one goal so they continued to push the score forward to extend their lead. Defence only allowing eight goals to be conceded in the third quarter meant that Hinckley went ahead. The team fought hard for the final quarter to work patiently, keep possession, and capitalize on turnovers. The final score was 63-50 with player of the match going to Holly Hemsley at goal attack.
B team vs Cov & North Warwickshire C
Final score LOSS 38-39
Hinckley Ladies B faced Coventry & North Warwickshire C away for the final game of the day on Saturday. Both teams took a while to settle in to the match and find their flow. At the end of the first quarter the home side had their noses in front and led by 12 goals to 11. During the second quarter Hinckley were able to capitalise on a few errors from the opposition and work their way back into the game. The attacking unit found more space and started to play with better freedom and connection. At the half time whistle Hinckley had pulled ahead 26-24, as the two teams regrouped and discussed tactics going into the second half. The tide turned again in the third quarter, this time in favour of the home side, who won the quarter by five to retake the lead – the biggest quarter score margin of the game. Hinckley came out firing in the final quarter and caused more disruption in the C&NW attack, turning over plenty of ball, credit to the reach and tenacity of Lucy Chapman in defence. An injury in the final minutes saw captain Cara Stuckey switch in to WA, but despite a late flurry of goals from Hinckley they fell just short at the final whistle, losing by one goal – 38-39. Cara Stuckey worked tirelessly in WD all game, shutting down options and winning plenty of ball for her side, which earned her a well-deserved opposition’s player of the match.
C team vs Ernesford E
Final score LOSS 35-63
Hinckley faced a strong Ernesford E side in what proved to be a challenging but hard-fought match. The team started well, with accurate shooting from Velvet G and Chloe Phillips to keep the first quarter competitive. Strong defence from Amber Nixon and Alice Bates created key turnovers, but Ernesford’s speed through court allowed them to pull ahead. Hinckley made some changes going into the third quarter, and Sue Ley’s composure at WA led to a more settled start to the second half. Kim Walker worked tirelessly at WD throughout the game, making several great interceptions. The final quarter was a testament to Hinckley’s resilience, with Dara D coming into the shooting circle and helping the team to their highest-scoring quarter. The squad continued to battle until the end, showing excellent teamwork and determination across the court. Despite the final scoreline of 63–35 in Ernesford’s favour, Hinckley demonstrated great spirit and effort throughout. Player of the match went to Alice Bates for her impressive debut performance at GD.
D team vs Godiva D
Final score WIN 40-16
Hinckley D produced a composed and convincing performance at home on Saturday, securing a 40–16 victory over Godiva. The team started strongly, setting the tone from the first whistle with confident ball movement and tight defensive pressure. Defence continually disrupted Godiva’s attack, coming away with several clean interceptions and crucial tips. Hinckley took a well-deserved 7–2 lead to end the first quarter. In the second quarter, Hinckley continued to build momentum. The midcourt displayed excellent control, transitioning the ball smoothly into attack and showing patience around the circle edge. Guided by advice at quarter time, attack worked well on driving well-timed forward passes into the circle rather than overhead feeds, to extend the lead to 18–5 at halftime. Some adjustments in combinations at the start of the third quarter brought fresh energy and new connections on court. The team adapted quickly, maintaining their structure and continuing to convert turnovers into goals, pushing the score to 29–9 heading into the final break. In the last quarter, Hinckley remained disciplined and composed, keeping the intensity high at both ends of the court. Defence continued to impress, turning over possession and feeding the attack with precision. A strong shooting performance sealed the 40–16 win, rounding off an excellent all-round team effort. Player of the match went to Ellie Walsh for a brilliant game at both C and WA.
E team vs Ambleside F
Final score WIN 40-25
Hinckley E took on Ambleside F on a lovely sunny Saturday morning. Hinckley started off well and took an early 2 goal lead in the first quarter. The attacking end, Niamh, Ann-Marie, Anita and Emma, worked beautifully to get the ball to goal and continued to improve during the second quarter. With defence making several turnovers, Amy, Claire and Charlotte worked fabulously to keep the ball out of Amblesides circle and Hinckley were ahead 16 – 13 at half time. The teams intensity continued thoughout the game with Rose coming on in defence and making an immediate impact with several turnovers and some lovely tips. In centre court, Ivy also came on at WA then C to help the team work the ball down the court and help the shooters increase the lead. Emma playing GA then GS in the last quarter of the game worked tirelessly thoughout, with great movement in and around the circle. A win was secured with a massive 15 goal difference, a great team effort by all players. The final score was 40 – 25. Player of the match went to Amy Stuckey playing GD who had amazing tips and energy throughout.