HARLEQUINS 28 QUANTOCK 44

The Quins girls, from Purnell’s Netball Club, travelled down to Taunton on Saturday, 25th January.

The eight-strong team warmed up vigorously and set to work, going up against middle of the table Quantock.

Despite the 5-degree temperature on the outside court, the team began the match with focused determination. Play was smooth down the court in the first quarter, rapid, accurate passing characterised the skills from our mid-court players, particularly Jo Love and Kellie Angell.

Kellie took the reins this week as Captain and led by example, commanding respect for her experience and hard work on court. We went into the second quarter two goals behind Quantock.

With everything to play for, it was a similar story during the second quarter, Quins were controlling the game well; playing the ball across court, using the reset option and keeping possession. We had confidence in each other and the atmosphere on court was wholly positive and supportive throughout.

Jennie Thompson (GK) turned the ball over countless times and she showed real strength in each rebound she was able to get a hand to. Emma Weskin brought some pizazz to proceedings and entertained us all with her flair and flying interceptions.

A Quins game wouldn’t be the same without a few dance moves thrown in!

In the third quarter, after a few alterations, we continued to battle hard, but Quantock were able to get a few more goals past us and a gap began opening up on the score card.

Nathalie Fox (WA) stood out with her classy control on the edge of the D, timing and placing her passes with precision.

Charis fought a battle in the centre third, working tirelessly, making interceptions and feeding the ball on. This earned her a well-deserved POM from both the opposition and Harlequins. We went into the fourth and final quarter at 20-30.

During the match, all of the Quins players demonstrated spirit and fierce competitiveness, and excellent levels of fitness. Each player relentlessly moving, passing, dodging, calling, jumping, stretching and marking to capacity. The technical elements of netball we achieved, coupled and balanced with the enjoyment we had, meant we could come away not dissatisfied with the loss, but having grown as individual players and as a team.

Defensively, the opposition were very strong and ultimately cost us this game.

Lily Burgess and Macey Newman, our super shooting duo, did all they could to shake off the GD and impressive GK, who we went on to award Player of the Match, for the number of turn overs she gained in the shooting D.

The stats don’t do justice to our effort and dynamism. This was a much closer game than the score reflects. Quantock’s GS did not miss, she was able to shoot from anywhere, did not get flustered by our brilliant defence, without her, things would have been quite different.

Player’s Player and Opposition’s Player: Charis Saunders-Prouse (WA, WD, C).

Laura Snook