Super League spices up game

THE two sides leading the new indoor netball Super League have drawn their first meeting. Thundercats and Panthers, led by Claire Queripel and Nena Bourgaize - arguably the island's top players - both won in the first week of fixtures, but tied 36-36 in their clash at Beau Sejour.

Panthers took an early lead, inspired by good link-up play from Elaine Donaldson and Emma Wyatt-Nicolle, and they kept the lead to half-time.

Thundercats' introduction of Verienne Belcher at goal shooter helped to turn the game and they led 28-26 at the end of the third quarter.

The last few minutes were goal for goal, ending with the draw at full time.

Panthers captain Claire Queripel said that the new league structure was certainly adding spice to the local game, where competitiveness at the top level had been threatened by the dominance of Nerine.

'A lot of us are really excited about playing with different teams and different people, and it has raised the profile of netball,' she said.

'They are proving to be really good games. That match was really close. Our team played really well. Players at different levels are coming together as a team and certainly being competitive.

'The teams seem all evenly matched and I don't think there's anybody who you could say at this point would be an out-and-out winner.'

The teams have been selected with an island first-team player and an island under-18 allocated to each side.

Queripel said that the new structure had also encouraged more players to island squad training. Where previously some had felt it was a little elitist, now they are realising it is not just for the top teams.

The Super League takes a break for the next fortnight to allow for island squad training, with Panthers and Thundercats leading the standings.

Experience, the team made up of veterans, are the only other side to have notched a win, with a 36-31 defeat of Roos, one of the younger sides, last week.

Nikki Pettitt, Jane Fear and Jan Fazackerley were all outstanding for Experience, who came through in the last quarter to take the match.