Talk with Tina - Worthing College Netball vs Peter Symonds College

Tuesday night saw the Academy play Brighton 2 at Falmer, changes had been made from the week before as Mele Jackson GK and Vicki Mayne were unavailable, so replaced by Hannah Pannell (GK)and Jodie Beaney (WA).

The game started and was evenly contested for the first 5 mins, with the game going goal for goal, Worthing College then started to defend magnificently and the shooters put away all opportunites to go into quarter time 14-4 up. Changes were made at quarter time with Emily Begley coming on for Katie Pearcy in the shooting circle however Worthing dominated throughout the next quarter with Jodie Beaney putting some excellent passes into the circle, Emilys accuracy was as good as Katie’s and the quarter ended 29 -9. Katie Finlay was replaced by Katie Pearcy at half time. The third quarter was a poor quarter, Worthing switched off and whilst they still won the quarter, passes went astray and the concentration was not there, score 37 -14. Finlay replaced Pearcy for the fourth quarter, concentration resumed and Worthing ran out worthy winners 50-17.

Man of the Match Jodie Beaney

Wednesday saw the arrival of Peter Symonds at the College, a tough game was expected as they are always a good netballing side. Mele Jackson returned in defence, to partner Mele Stubbs as unfortunately Hannah Pannell has been side lined till Christmas with an ankle operation. Vicky Bowles at WD, Anna Van Eevelt at C, Jodie Beaney at WA, Katie Pearcy at GA, Katie Finlay at GS. The game started with both teams battling hard for possession, big pressure on the shooters however Worthing’s defence were working brilliantly as a unit and Symonds were really struggling to put the ball into the circle. At the other end, passing was not great into the circle and Shooters positions were not always good, however Worthing ended 7-2 up. Words of advice were given at quarter time and 2nd half attack improved and the defence remained a solid unit, although Symonds shooters were scoring off every opportunity. Half time 17-8. Emily Begley came on for Katie Finlay at half time. The third quarter was a poor quarter, the attack really struggled to find the shooters and shots were being missed, Symonds however saw their opportunity and won the quarter 11 -6, score at the end of the third quarter 23-19. Worthing had to dig deep last quarter, Katie Finlay came back on and worked extremely hard in the circle to create space, Symonds pulled it back to 3 goal difference however the shooting came back, everyone worked harder to defend the ball and Worthing ended the game 30-24.
Girls we need to sort out third quarters, beginning to develop a pattern.
Good result for the first game of the season, particularly as Symonds beat Brockenhurst last week !!

Mele Jackson was made Man of the Match by Symonds.

The 2nd team was mainly first years with Lizzie Hall at centre and this game was a big ask for them, probably the best 2nd team around. The shooting partnership of Louisa and Abi was something only tried in training and the defence had to manage without Hannah Pannell, so a partnership of Beth and Emily was formed with Laura at WD and Lara at WA, It took a while for the girls to settle and they went 4-1 down before pulling it back to 4-5 at the break. The second half saw Symonds break away into a comfortable lead so at half time Vicky Mayne who had been unavailable at the start came on at WA. This bolstered the attack and the girls pulled the game back somewhat. The end result was 16-26 to Symonds, to get half score in the first game was a good result and there was tremendous promise for Worthings 2nd team.

MOM Laura Joseph an excellent debut.