Jupiter 45 Hucclecote 55

JUPITER opened 2016 with a defeat at the hands of top of table Hucclecote.

It was an explosive first quarter from both teams, with many interceptions and turnover balls keeping the score low at 9-12 to the home team.

Jupiter struggled to keep the energy high leading up to half time, with Hucclecote pulling away to 28-19.

After some position rotations within the team, Jupiter went out hard in the second half scoring 26 goals.

Pressure in the defensive third forced many balls off the back line, giving Jupiter an extra chance to score.

Despite creeping back to within four goals at one point, Hucclecote kept their lead and the match ended 55-45.

Saturn 54 Tomahawks 58

Saturn started the New Year with a narrow defeat to tough opposition, Tomahawks.

Despite good play, Saturn nerves got the better of them and they let Hawks take the lead 16-12.

Sammie Woolacott (WD) put lots of pressure on the opposition, but Hawks’ shooters played well and kept the lead going into the second half.

Some team changes helped Saturn close the gap, and a big team effort and a last minute push helped player of the match Baylea Charles (C) make turn overs and give accurate feeds into the shooter Morganne Dunn, who kept her composure.

Despite Saturn winning the last quarter by three goals the gap was too much.

Neptune 45 Vipers 26

Neptune started strongly and some great defending by Lucy Brown (GK) helped Neptune take a commanding 11-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second half, Neptune defended comfortably and accurate shooting by player of the match Katy Cheese saw Neptune pull ahead to lead 25-9.

In the final quarter, Neptune upped their game and aimed for 50 goals, but got to 45.

Venus 10 Walton 24

VENUS were losing to an experienced Walton side on Saturday, when a game was abandoned at the end of the third quarter due to heavy rain.

Charlotte Setter (C) worked well with Chloe Trout (WA) to pass the ball down the court.

This allowed newly paired shooters Darcie Dunn (GS) and Kia Jenner (GA) to have many opportunities at goal.

Walton opened up a lead before the decision was made to cut the game short.

Mars 33 Spears 40

MARS were edged out by Spears in their first game of 2016.

Mars were very keen to take control of the game from the start, which is exactly what they did and by the end of the first quarter were leading 10-7.

With some excellent shooting from Cerys Etheridge, and a fantastic effort from the defensive duo of Emily Bridges and Lauren Cook the score seesawed back and forth between the two teams, but Mars held onto the lead by the skin of their teeth at half time.

Spears continued to apply pressure and unfortunately for the home side took the lead – one they were to hold on to until the final whistle.

Mercury 28 Arrows 48

Mercury started the New Year with a 20-point defeat to Arrows.

At the start of the game the mid court players of Chris Shaw (WA), Elaine Bartlett (C) and Lucy Kyte (WD) helped bring the ball down the court and made some timely interceptions, which Mercury failed to capitalise on and finished the first quarter down 7-16.

They trailed 14-25 at half time, and the third quarter saw Laura Gibson come on at WD and Lucy Kyte moving to GA, both fitting into the flow of the game well.

The team kept improving as their confidence grew, but Mercury was still trailing at the end of the quarter 19-37. In the final quarter, Flora Horrox (GA) and Sharon Ethridge (GS) put in some excellent shots but Arrows held on for the win.