Champions avoid upset

THE first week of the new-year programme brought one or two surprises in the Praxis Winter League. However, the eagerly anticipated tussle between the top two in Division One resulted in Nerine A overcoming their B side, although by no means did they have everything their own way.

The B team went into the clash with the belief that they could win and stormed into an early lead.

The champions responded well to finish the opening quarter 7-4 ahead, but the next period was all about the opposition as Anais De Carteret and Cassie Le Page gave Zola Bourgaize and Anna Trump problems throughout.

The two defenders were not allowing any loose balls into the circle and any missed shots were punished.

With the centre court evenly matched and interceptions traded, the B side went into half-time 11-10 up.

The third quarter was very tight with the A team nicking it by the odd goal to leave the score tied at 19-all with 15 minutes remaining.

The more experienced unit came out firing on all cyclinders and had soon opened a five-goal gap.

Claire Queripel and Nena Bourgaize were bringing the ball down court smoothly and the defence of Amy Wright and Gemma Loveridge had the measure of Tessa Hinshaw and Hannah Dunnell.

No matter what they tried, the two B team shooters could not break the island defensive unit while at the other end Trump and Zola Bourgaize were sinking their shots.

The champions eventually ran out 30-19 winners.

The two sides next meet in two weeks and with Nena Bourgaize having now gone travelling, it will be another intriguing match.

Perhaps the shock of the week was provided by Richmond Masters, who defeated TCCI.

Pauline Corlett and Julie Donaldson were in sparkling form while the defensive pairing of Elaine Creed and Julie Wright did not allow the ball to flow into the circle.

Although Hayley Potts, Marie Barkaway and Kelly Savident kept pushing forward, they were not able to stop the Masters pulling off a well deserved win.

Any one of four teams could take the Division Two title.

Heritage Hawks put in a solid performance and are showing signs of pushing others to the wire while Nerine E were never threatened against Heritage One.

Elsewhere, PwC were in devastating form against Nerine G as Sharna Bunyan continued her superb season and rarely missed a shot.

Nerine H kept up the pressure on P&J Conservatories Two in Division Three as both registered a victory.

The leaders' 100% record looked in danger for a while against Sarnians Three but experienced players Cath Coutanche and Ginny Heaume kept their team focused.

Nerine J are showing signs of great improvement with Joan Ozanne an inspiration to the young players in her side.

In Division Four, Da Silva Ferns beat title chasing Sarnians Five, with Caz Baudains in devastating form.

Fairbairn Trust took apart Nerine M although the youngsters are playing some good netball in a learning-curve season for them.