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.
15th November
A team vs Bulkington A
Final score WIN 51-50
Hinckley A travelled to Bulkington at the weekend and made an impressive start, taking an early lead and finishing the first quarter 15–9 ahead. Their advantage grew in the second quarter thanks to some brilliant attacking play and smart feeds from player of the match Beth Sutcliffe, sending Hinckley into halftime with a solid 29–21 lead. A weaker third quarter, however, saw Bulkington fight back, reducing the gap and leaving Hinckley with just a two-goal advantage heading into the final quarter. It was goal for goal right up to the final whistle, but a crucial defensive turnover gave Hinckley the chance they needed. They converted the opportunity, securing a hard-fought 51–50 victory.
B team vs Alvis A
Final score WIN 60-32
Hinckley B faced Alvis A at the weekend. After a tight few minutes early on with both teams going goal for goal, Hinckley settled into the game and pulled into a 4 goal lead at the end of the first quarter. With the defence keeping solid and forcing Alvis to work hard for each goal, the Hinckley attack drove on with some lovely linking play down the court, and outstanding shooting from the Hinckley attacking circle. Hinckley extended their lead further in each quarter, with an especially strong third quarter in attack leaving the team 42-26 ahead going into the last quarter. Hinckley pushed on to maintain their momentum throughout and ended the match 60-32, conceding only 6 goals in the last 15 minutes of play. Player of the match was jointly shared by the shooting team of Carole Payne and Hannah Wallace.
C team vs Warwick Ladies D
Final score WIN 33-23
Hinckley Ladies C faced Warwick Ladies A on Saturday in a competitive match. Both teams took time to find their rhythm at the start so the first quarter ended level at 5–5. After some encouraging words from the sideline, Hinckley lifted their intensity in the second quarter, with strong rebounds from Anna Clayden and Amber Nixon, sharp ball movement through the mid-court, and accurate shooting from Velvet G and Dara D helping them pull ahead by halftime. Maintaining this standard throughout the second half, Hinckley continued to build their lead, supported by several key intercepts from Alice Bates at WD and lots of turnovers to goal, ultimately securing a confident 33–23 win. Player of the match went to Dara D.
E team vs Ernesford G
Final score WIN 37-28
Hinckley E played away to Ernesford H last week. The first quarter saw Hinckley E start confidently, putting up a steady flow of goals and settling quickly into their rhythm. Ernesford H responded with a strong scoring run of their own and took the lead 12–9. The second quarter remained competitive with no team changes made by Hinckley. Hinckley continued converting at a good percentage, with both shooters finding space well in the circle and finishing accurately. Ernesford, however, maintained their strong gameplay and held their narrow advantage at halftime, leading 20–19. At halftime Hinckley made changes, bringing on fresh legs across all thirds of the court. Ernesford stayed consistent, but Hinckley’s defence stepped up, overturning several shots. With steady work through the mid-court and confident shooting, Hinckley took the lead to end the third quarter 28–25. Heading into the final quarter, Hinckley made no further changes and remained composed. Ernesford’s attacking end came out strong, but Hinckley continued to capitalise on scoring opportunities. Key interceptions in the mid-court prevented Ernesford from gaining momentum, and Hinckley’s solid play secured them the win, with the final score 37–28. Player of the match was awarded to Claire Cousin at GK for her numerous turnovers and strong defensive performance throughout the game.
22nd November
A team vs Copeswood A
LOSS 33-45
Hinckley A travelled to Copsewood on Saturday to play the team second in the table. The rainy weather did not dampen their spirits and they started off with a strong defensive first half from the unit of Victoria Stevens, Daisy Savage and Jess Rainbow. Hinckley shooters Fran Tomassoni and Holly Hemsley faced physical defence from the home team meaning they were down 24-16 at half time. Changes at the break saw Lucy Marsden enter the game at GA and Molly Insley and player of the match Beth Sutcliffe swap positions in the midcourt. Consistent play from both teams meant the score going into the final quarter was 36-24. A change in defence for Hinckley resulted in increased pressure and a drawn fourth quarter. Hinckley showed a great fight despite difficult conditions, but lost 33-45.
B team vs Bulkington B
LOSS 25-47
It was always going to be a tough game for home team Hinckley B against the league leaders Bulkington B. And with a couple of defenders unavailable for, players had to show their versatility and play out of position. With the rain pouring down, both teams found it difficult to keep hold of the ball and Bulkington started better, showing their experience and adjusting to the tricky conditions finishing the first quarter ahead. Despite Hinckley trying hard to stop the accurate feeds into the tall Bulkington shooter, nothing went Hinckley’s way. The second half saw some changes made by Hinckley to add some height into the defensive circle, but Bulkington pounced on every loose ball and tight marking by Bulkingtons defence only added pressure on the Hinckley shooters. Despite a valiant effort by Hinckley in the final quarter, it ended in a loss for the home team. 47-25. Player of the match went to the versatile Cara Stuckey who played 3 different positions during the match.
C team vs Earlsdon Highway D
LOSS 25-37
Hinckley C faced Earlsdon Highway D away on what was a very wet and miserable Saturday morning. Hinckley started the game patiently but Highway began to find their flow which meant Hinckley finished the first quarter two goals behind. Some changes in midcourt for the second quarter hoped to stem the flow of Highway’s attack, but Hinckley found themselves 16-14 down at half time. A flurry of goals from the home side in the third quarter proved too much, and despite some changes, Hinckley couldn’t find the answer, trailing 32-21 after 45 minutes. The last quarter saw a determined effort from Hinckley, who piled the pressure on Highway with some fantastic interceptions, feeds into the circle, and accurate shooting, but the damage was done, and the match finished 37-25 to Highway. Player of the match went to Katie Phillips for a brilliant performance at centre.
D team vs Bulkington C
LOSS 24-36
Hinckley Ladies D team faced Bulkington’s C team in tough conditions on a rainy and windy Saturday afternoon. The weather made for challenging netball conditions from the first whistle. Both teams struggled to settle in the opening minutes; the slippery ball and wet court demanded extra focus. Despite Hinckley’s determined start, Bulkington adapted slightly quicker, moving the ball efficiently through the centre court and capitalising on a few handling errors. Their sharp shooting gave them an early edge, and the first quarter ended 8–5 in Bulkington’s favour. Hinckley responded well in the second quarter, tightening their defence and applying increased pressure in the circle. Interceptions from the defensive unit of Ella Wilkinson and Hannah Simpson allowed Hinckley to close the gap, but Bulkington remained composed, maintaining their lead by half-time. In the third quarter, Hinckley continued to battle, with strong drives in the shooting circle by player of the match Tracey Pallett yet Bulkington’s consistency in transition proved difficult to break down. As the rain intensified in the final quarter, both sides showed grit, but Bulkington’s depth and steady shooting saw them pull further ahead. Despite a spirited performance from Hinckley, Bulkington secured a 36–24 victory.
E team vs Bedworth B
WIN 53-16
Hinckley E took on Bedworth B at home on a rainy and blustery Saturday afternoon. The away team were down a player due to injury. Hinckley started off with a strong first quarter taking the lead 16-1 at the quarter time break. Ivy, Emma and Sofia were combining well off the centre pass with the attack end also flowing smoothly. Confident passing around the edge of the circle ensured the ball sped in to Sofia and Ann-Marie Copple under the post. At the half time break Hinckley were leading 34 goals to 5. Rose and Amy Stuckey were putting on the pressure on the away team’s centre pass which led to some fantastic tips and interceptions. The whole team worked well to ensure the ball was treasured down the court and converted into goals. Pressure continued to be applied in the defence end throughout the second half from Rose, Amy and Claire Cousin to limit the number of goals being scored by Bedworth. Despite the wet weather, loose balls were chased and Hinckley remained steady and composed to the end. A strong team performance sealed the win for Hinckley 53-16 with Ann-Marie Copple at GS securing player of the match following her dominant presence in the shooting circle.
29th November
Hinckley B vs Copeswood B
Final score LOSS 36-40
Hinckley B travelled to Copeswood on Saturday to play the team currently sat second in the table. It took Hinckley a few minutes to settle into the game and a few sporadic balls and fast play forced errors for both teams. Going into the second quarter just 3 goals behind, Hinckley applied the pressure and worked the ball nicely down court into the shooting circle. Copeswood had also settled into the game though and extended their lead 24-16. A quick change in defence added more height into the circle and the duo of Lucy Chapman and Annis Pears worked well together to turn over ball. More patient play saw the ball enter the circle with more accuracy and feeds were making it into Hannah Wallace and player of the match Carole Payne to add a further 11 goals to end the final quarter 27-33. Knowing they were still behind, Hinckley amped up the ante and multiple turnovers and defensive pressure saw the gap close. Time however wasn’t on the B teams side and Copeswood kept their lead to finish the game 4 goals ahead, 36-40.
C team vs Cherry Bombs
Final score WIN 53-15
Hinckley C were up against Cherry Bombs A in the final game of the day on Saturday. From the first centre pass, Hinckley set the pace with great feeds by Katie Phillips and Sue Ley and brilliant defensive pressure from Anna Clayden and Amber Nixon. The opening quarter saw Hinckley take early control, finishing 13–3. Hinckley’s momentum only grew in the second quarter, where they extended their lead with great shooting by Dara and Velvet to extend their lead further, 29–5. Half time saw a switch around in attacking with Chloe Phillips coming on as goal attack and Dara moving into wing attack. Consistent turnovers and tight marking in defence by the defensive circle and Kim Walker in wing defence limited Cherry Bombs opportunities, while Hinckley’s attacking unit continued to convert and pushed the score to 39–11. The last quarter showcased Hinckley’s depth and composure as they closed out the match with a final score of 53–15. Great all around performance by the team with the player of the match going to Kim Walker.
D team vs Alvis C
Final score WIN 54-25
Hinckley D had a strong game against Alvis C on Saturday. Despite starting the game with a new centre court combination, they quickly settled in and took an early lead finishing the first quarter up 16-5 with precise shooting from Bridgette Allen and Tracey Pallett. Alvis rallied at the start of the second quarter but Hinckley resettled with strong defence from Hannah Simpson and Ella Wilkinson who were turning over plenty of ball in the defensive circle resulting in a half time score of 29-12. Hinckley had a centre court reshuffle at half time but quickly settled again with Caron Ogden, Beth Swain and Jasmin Whitehurst working consistently well together to move the ball around the court and into the shooters. Hinckley were able to close the game out finishing strong and winning 54-25 with player of the match going to Tracey for a brilliant game at goal attack.
E team vs Bulkington D
Final score WIN 34-31
A close game on Saturday afternoon for Hinckley E against Bulkington D but despite the cold weather, the team fought for the victory. The first quarter saw Hinckley take an impressive early lead ending 15-8 with strong shooting from Ann-Marie Copple and Emma despite the challenging, windy weather conditions. Strong passing in the centre of the court and defensive pressure from Amy Stuckey, Rose and Charlotte Pinkham saw Hinckley turnover many centre passes and although Bulkington brought the pressure in the second quarter, at half time Hinckley still led the game 21-18. With a lot of the squad available, changes were made to the team at half time which meant a few fresh sets of legs in each third to cling on to the team’s lead. Hinckley continued with the defensive pressure whilst pushing towards the attack and maintaining possession throughout. Retaining their calm when Bulkington put on more pressure, Hinckley were able to finish the game 34-31, with Amy Stuckey at goal defence awarded a well deserved player of the match.
6th December
A team vs Earlsdon Highway B
WIN 56-50
A Thursday evening game saw Hinckley ladies A team take on top of the table Earlsdon Highway B. The 8pm fixture saw a very close first quarter, with a steady start from both teams trying to suss out each others game plan and style of play. Hinckley took a narrow lead of 13-11 goals against the unbeaten Highway side. Goals started to flow in the second quarter and a much higher scoring 15 minutes saw plenty of quick centre passes and accurate feeds into the shooting circle from the Hinckley girls. A tall defensive circle from the Earlson Highway opposition meant balls into the shooting circle had to be on the money and with great holding of the space and movement from player of the match Goal Shooter Fran TomassHinckley finished the first half of the game ahead 28-23. With Earlson Highway still in touch the third quarter saw a lot of fight from both sides and a close scoreline of Hinckley 41- Earlson Highway 39. The final quarter required a lot of composure and good game management from Hinckley. They kept cool heads and worked hard to keep the pressure on Highway all the down court. This pressure and vital defensive turnovers alongside consistent shooting saw Hinckley A’s secure a huge win the game ending Hinckley ladies A 56- Earlson Highway B 50.
A team vs Ambleside B
LOSS 47-52
Hinckley A team faced Ambleside on Saturday morning. After a tough mid week win against Earlsdon Highway they were hoping for a repeat. However a slower start and some uncharacteristic errors left Hinckley trailing by 3, although defensive duo Holly Hemsley and Victoria Stevens kept Ambleside to just 12 goals. Despite some strong shooting from Fran Tomassoni and Lucy Marsden, Ambleside built on their lead extending to an 8 goal difference at half time. A change at half time saw Holly Hemsley swing from goal keeper to goal shooter without missing a beat, connecting well with Beth Sutcliffe and player of the match Molly Insley, who was relentless in the mid court. Hinckley kept in touch in the third quarter, going into the fourth with a determination to improve on their performance. A step up in defensive pressure in the fourth quarter from Jess Rainbow, Daisy Savage and Victoria Stevens and a smoother connection settling in attack allowed Hinckley to close the gap ending the game within 5 and securing a crucial 2 points. Final score was 51-47 to Ambleside B.
B team vs Synergy B
WIN 38-28
Hinckley B faced Synergy B at the weekend. Low team availability due to the festive period and illness meant the team had to rely on subs to play the match. The first quarter was a slow start as the team got used to brand-new combinations and some silly mistakes meant the quarter ended in Synergy’s favour, 8-5. The second quarter saw the team find their rhythm and reduce the goal deficit but Synergy continued with their flow from the first quarter resulting in a 16 all draw at half time. Heading into the third quarter, the team made some changes and drew ahead by 3 goals thanks to several defensive turnovers. The final quarter saw an energy burst from Hinckley B to extend the lead by 10 goals with the match ending 38-28. Player of the match went to C team sub Dara D who played both wing attack and goal attack during the match.
C team vs Ernesford F
LOSS 31-38
Hinckley C played a home fixture against Ernsford F on Saturday. Down several players from the squad, they knew they were in for a tough game. The game play started off fast with Ernesford taking the lead in the first quarter. Hinckley dug deep with fantastic vision and marking from Anna Clayden and numerous intercepts from Alice Bates wearing the defensive bibs. Kim Walker demonstrated great dodges as she moved the ball down court, paired with Katie Phillips and Sue Ley who then fed the ball accurately into the attacking duo of Dara D and Velvet V in the shooting circle. At half time, Hinckley made some changes in both attack & defence and thanks to encouragement from the sideline they won the last quarter. Unfortunately Ernesford maintained their lead winning 38-31. Player of the match went to Alice Bates.
D team vs Rugby D
WIN 46-31
Hinckley D team started off netball Saturday away against Rugby D. The first quarter was end to end from both teams with everyone taking a moment to settle into the game, ending 12-10 in Hinckley’s favour. As the game progressed, Hinckley really started to flow, with patient play, great turnovers and movement bringing the ball up the court. Hinckley defence did a fabulous job with grabbing the rebounds which resulted in many turnover goals. Attack worked extremely well together, with great connections and movement around the circle and on point shooting. The game finished with a fantastic win of 46-31 with player of the match going to Tracey Pallett for the third week in a row!
E team vs Earlsdon Highway F
WIN 27-26
From the very first centre pass both teams knew they were in for a close game. Despite the tough competition, Hinckley E were able to grab an early lead of 10-8 at the end of the first quarter. This was thanks to the high pressure from the defenders Rose, Emma and Claire Cousin who all had great interceptions and tips throughout, as well as thoughtful passing from the mid court players. During the second quarter, the team kept consistent and strong and were able to finish the half with a 16-13 lead with amazing shooting from Anita King and Sofia. After some half time substitutions, Ivy, Sofia and Niamh Connolly were combining beautifully off the centre pass and through the centre court which created great options for the shooters. With good teamwork and consistent shooting from Sofia and Ann-Marie Copple, Hinckley grabbed a solid 24-18 lead after the third quarter. Going into the last quarter Earlsdon’s defence were tighter, forcing more turnovers and their attack were making good use of these and the gap between both sides was getting close. Tensions were getting higher and Earlsdon brought the score line level, but holding their nerve, keeping possession and with beautiful passing throughout the team and constant communication, a goal scored in the last few seconds of the match lead us to a nail biting 27-26 win. Player of the match went to Rose at wing defence for her endless energy and many interceptions.