A Team
Hinckley Ladies Netball A team started the new season away at Harbury, who were new into Division 2 this season. Hinckley went out hard in the first quarter and great movement and accurate shooting from the shooting duo of Carmen Whitaker and Carole Payne created a 14-8 lead after the first quarter. Great defending and movement down the court allowed Hinckley a half time lead of 29-21. Despite better play by Harbury in the second half Hinckley maintained their composure to take the first win of the season 53-39. Player of the match was Ashleigh Oakes at WA.
B Team
Hinckley B team took on a strong Coventry & North Warwick B team for their first match and after a very tough game lost 49-24 with Goal Attack Darcey Arrowsmith winning Player of the match.
C Team
Hinckley C took on local rivals Griff & Coton B in what proved to be a very close game. Both teams started solidly with the score tied after the first quarter. Hinckley were forced to make a change at Goal Attack for the second quarter, but managed to claw ahead to a narrow two goal lead. In the second half, despite tireless defence and superb attacking play through the mid-court and around the circle, the game swung back in Griff’s favour with clinical finishing by the Griff Goal Shooter. The Hinckley team continued to fight through the final quarter, but lost by just one goal with the final score 33-32 to Griff. Player of the match was awarded to Hinckley’s Centre Lucy Masser.
D Team
Hinckley D team faced Coventry Bears and took to the court in a calm manner, finding great rhythm in their first quarter and despite slipping 5 goals behind, they didn’t let it phase them. Attack from the Bears was relentless but Hinckley’s defence stayed calm and composed with some quick turn arounds. The support and cheers from the spectators willed the team on helping to keep them working hard right to the very end. Some great interceptions from Emma Draycott in defence ensured the ball stayed out of the Bear’s net and was swiftly sent back up to the attack, where Player of the match Holly Hemsley did a great job as GA converting nearly all of her chances. The positive attitude of the D team saw them close the gap and finish the match with a 36-36 draw.
E Team
Hinckley E had their first match against fellow club members in the F team. Missing 3 of their defence players they had to use players from the F team squad to complete a team. Everyone was apprehensive and after an initial 4 goal lead the E team found themselves 2 goals behind by the end of the first quarter. Play continued end to end over the next 2 quarters but the E’s remained just behind. The E defence of Di Norman (E’s player of the match) and Jayne Marlow played well against a strong and feisty F team attack. Going into the last quarter still 2 goals behind 31-29, the E’s stayed calm and fought for every ball with their shooters on great form, despite excellent defence from the F team player of the match Nicola Coulson and GK Karen Ramage , enabling them to bring the score back and win the game 41-38.
Juniors
Hinckley’s Junior teams started the netball season with determination and drive as both the under 14 and under 16s sides met with tough opposition from Rugby and Leamington. Both Hinckley teams introduced new line ups but the new faces and new positions didn’t interrupt a display of fantastic netball. The under 14s team took the lead from the outset with the first goal scored from a turnover of the oppositions centre pass. The momentum continued as the girls took the second goal with ease and despite a fierce return of competitive play from LMR Hinckley slowed the pace of the attacks game. At the end of the third quarter Hinckley had built a score line of 7 goals versus a skilled oppositions 17. The girls returned for the final quarter with a remit to maintain possession and activate a strong defence, and not only did they hold back their competitors advances but initiated an equally strong attack to bring the score to within half of their oppositions at full time. A promising start to the season with the final score of 22 -12 to LMR. Centre Sophie Mills was awarded player of the match.
The under 16s squad expected a tough match against Leamington and certainly didn’t expect to be able to deliver a final score of 12 – 31 (almost within half the score of the opposition).The team controlled their pace of game from the outset, working the ball up the court, each team player used the space to their advantage. The speed and accuracy of passing was outstanding from the girls and the cohesiveness of the team put Leamington off their game. Hinckley were slow to build the goals but maintained a strong defensive side again to hold back the advancement of Leamington. Goal Attack Eleanor Booker was awarded player of the match.