Players battle strong winds in exciting round

IT WAS not a week to be a netball shooter. The wind was such that, in the latest round of Condor Ferries League games, the big Premier Division clash between champions Nerine A and Fortis Sarnians One had to be moved to the bottom courts at Beau Sejour, where it was a little more sheltered.

The wind issue was reflected in the shortage of goals, but it also helped produce an exciting match in which Nerine edged home 27-26.

This was not the best of performances by the champions and all credit has to go to Sarnians for not giving up and plugging away in very difficult conditions. All had trouble converting their shots with the wind swirling around.

Nerine's usual slick passing was very sporadic, of which the Sarnians side took full advantage. Anais de Carteret played her first full game for Nerine A and fully deserved her player of the match nomination.

For Sarnians, GD Maureen Ruddy earned the nomination for her dogged defending.

Nerine E v. Richmond Masters was the only Division One game to go ahead and the blustery conditions on the top courts were causing the shooters lots of problems.

Nerine E had the better of the court play, but their shooters were finding it difficult to penetrate the tight circle defence of Julie Wright and Elaine Creed. At the other end, Kate Seabrook and Elka de Carteret were having a great game against the experienced shooting partnership of Pauline Corlett and Julie Donaldson, who, even in the bad conditions, managed to convert some fine shots to give Masters the victory, 15-10.

Meanwhile, Heritage Two's unbeaten run came to an end, PWC narrowly beating them 32-31.

It was a very close game throughout, with very little separating the two teams.

PWC pulled ahead slightly in the third quarter and went into the final one 26-23 ahead.

However, Heritage fought back and although they outscored PWC in the quarter, the latter managed to hang on for the win.

Guernsey Electric took an early lead in their game against P & J Conservatories Two but P & J pulled back to take the first quarter 7-6.

However, things did not stay that way for long. Electric came out the stronger in the second quarter and dominated to the extent that they won the quarter 14-8.

P & J had had to make several changes to their normal team, due to holidays, illness and injuries and this gave coach Joy Knight a chance to introduce another promising player for the future into senior netball. Young Isla Murdoch played her first full senior game at WD and did exceedingly well, earning herself a joint player of the match nomination with Stephanie Batiste.

Guernsey Electric continued to pull ahead and eventually came out the winners 30-18.

Nerine H v. Fortis Sarnians Four was another low scoring game with Sarnians winning 9-6.

Nerine were hampered by the loss of WA Holly Dowlen with a twisted ankle, but all credit should go to the rest of the team.

As the game progressed, Sarnians made the most of their extra player and ran out winners.

Captain Claire Stone had a great game in defence for Nerine and her hard work and motivation inspired her side, while the shining light for Sarnians had to be Fay Dovey who worked tirelessly.

In Division Three, Heritage Three controlled the game from the first whistle in their game against Nerine L and although the latter gave everything, they lost 46-4.