BRIDGWATER and Sydenham Netball Clubs met head-on this weekend in four derby matches at Blake School.
Sydenham claimed two victories to Bridgwater’s one, with one draw.
Bridgwater Mercury 34, Sydenham Emeralds 28
MERCURY went rapidly into the lead against Sydenham Emeralds with Katie Anthony (C) and Clair Frances (WA) feeding the circle, the hosts finishing the quarter leading 10-7.
In the second quarter Mercury kept up the pace, with Katie Harris (GA) and Phoebe Aldereick (GS) shooting phenomenally to extend the lead.
After an injury stoppage in the third quarter, Emeralds came back into it, cutting the deficit to 25-21.
Mercury hit back in the last quarter, thanks to Ashlea Slater (GK) and Abbey Alderwick’s (GD) turnovers, and they took a fine 34-28 victory.
Player of the match (POM): Katie Harris
Bridgwater Mars 35, Sydenham Rubies 35
QUICKLY settling, Mars had great patience and link-up play in the first quarter, scoring nine goals through Sharon Ethridge (GS) and Flora Horrox (GA).
Excellent interceptions from Eve Jenner (GD) and Aiste Mockeliunaite (WD) enabled Mars to keep attacking in the second quarter, the teams scoring nine goals each.
Going into the second half trailing 21-18, Mars knew they had to keep calm, and accurate passes between Elaine Bowerman (C) and Hazel Hucker (WA) set up seven more goals.
Behind going into the last quarter, Mars came out fighting, and precise shots from the shooters left Rubies struggling to maintain the lead.
A great team effort from all players meant the match finished all square.
POM: Hazel Hucker
PASS: Bridgwater Saturn's Tianna Date-Jeremy (in blue).
Bridgwater Neptune 27, Sydenham Sapphires 54
A NEW Neptune line-up was a bit slow off the mark, and Sapphires took an early lead.
Solid defence by Joanne Woodberry (WD), Hana Middleton (GD) and Emily Harwood (GK) put great pressure on the attackers – what the defence lacked in height, they made up for with effort and determination.
Despite this, Sapphires took a 14-6 lead, and although the second quarter saw Neptune up their intensity and Cerys Ethridge (GS) and Kia Jenner (GA) shooting well, they still ended the half trailing 28-15.
Sapphire’s intensity was then too much for Neptune, extending their lead to 45-17.
A great team effort saw Neptune win the last quarter but it wasn’t enough to close the gap and gain a vital point.
POM: Joanne Woodberry
Bridgwater Saturn 29, Sydenham Gems 36
SATURN started very strongly with support down through the court and made some great turnovers in defence through Morganne Dunn (GK) and Sally Haysham (GD), as the first quarter finished 8-8.
In the second quarter Saturn went out determined to establish a lead, with both Becky Hooper (GA) and Darcie Dunn (GS) making excellent movement along with some great shooting, but they ended the quarter 16-14 down.
Going into the fourth quarter two down, Emma Cocks (WD) came back on, helping to create some great pressure on Gems, but the opposition defence forced mistakes from Saturn and the game ended with Gems as the victors.
POM: Morganne Dunn & Becky Hooper
PRESSURE: Laura Coombes of Sydenham Rubies.
Walton 45, Bridgwater Venus 27
VENUS started off the first quarter strongly and, with the help of some amazing turnovers by Emily Harwood (GK), they limited the opposition’s scoring opportunities, enabling Venus to finish the first quarter in the lead 10-9.
In the second quarter, some good drives down the court from Chris Shaw (WA) enabled some lovely passes into the shooting area from Hannah Sayer (C), to ensure that Jessie Woodberry (GA) and Cerys Ethridge (GS) made accurate shots.
Throughout the game Venus continued to play as a team but ultimately they were unable to stop Walton’s shooters, who helped their side record a 45-27 win.
POM: Emily Hardwood
And from the Sydenham point of view...
Neptune 27, Sapphires 54
SAPPHIRES were pleasantly surprised to face Neptune on an indoor court, meaning that the elements would not affect game play.
Sapphires started well, and accurate shooting from Steph Gibson and Nic Hale gave them an early lead.
Sapphires kept up the pace, with superb effort from Carly Martin, Courtney Steele and Kirsty Richards in the centre court, and at halfway Sapphires had double the hosts’ score.
The third quarter saw fantastic defending from Rachel Lawrance and Kerry Clark, only allowing Neptune two goals in the penultimate quarter, and they held firm for an excellent win.
Umpires’ player of the match (POM): Rachel Lawrence
Players’ POM: Kerry Clark and Carly Martin
LINK-UP: Bridgwater Mars' Freya Braddock.
Mars 35, Rubies 35
RUBIES had a fast start and excellent teamwork saw them lead 12-4 at the end of the first quarter.
Into the third quarter, Mars brought it back to 30-25, and in the final period Mars pulled it back, but Rubies held on for a draw.
Umpires’ POM: Kirsty Richards
Players’ POM: Katie Rowles
Saturn 29, Gems 36
GEMS began with brilliant turnovers from Amy Witcombe and Rheanne Lee, taking a first-quarter lead.
Gems stayed ahead thanks to Carly Martin’s interceptions, Martin linking with Danielle Addicott and Mikki Hole in centre court.
Shooters Hannah Clapp and Kerry Fellows ensured Gems took a fine win.
Umpires’ POM: Amy Witcombe
Players’ POM: Carly Martin
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