Knock-Out Cup Final
Sydenham Gems 45, Tor Knights 41

BOTH teams have been invited to play in the new Regional League from September 2017, so they were on a high ahead of this re-match of last year’s cup final teams.

As the game started both teams showed unusual nerves, but it was Knights who settled down faster than their opponents.

Their play was faster and slicker than Gems’ and, after both teams had missed initial shots, Knights shooters steadied themselves and began to find the net.

Thanks to some excellent defending and interceptions, Knights moved into a 9-1 lead.

However, Gems did not panic, and brought themselves back into the game with some feisty play from Danielle Addicott and Amy Witcombe in the centre third.

With Gems’ shooters beginning to find the net, the quarter ended 18-8 to Knights.

A change during the second quarter saw Carly Martin take to the court and she made an immediate difference, driving out for centre passes and finding shooters Paige Pople and Hannah Clapp in the circle.

Instinctive communication between defenders Rheanne Lee and Kerry Fellows forced Knights attackers to make errors, and Gems reduced the gap.

Knights were persistent, however, and dealt with the forced errors well and without panicking.

Good vision up and down the court helped Knights to get the ball into their shooting circle, and towards the end of the second quarter Knights’ accurate shots helped them to pull away again to make the half-time score 30-21 to Knights.

An encouraging half-time team talk from Sammy Kemmish helped the team to come out in positive spirits, and Gems started well, with fine shooting helping to reduce the gap.

Mikki Hole had a strong quarter, making great space to receive the ball and sending some great forward passes into the circle for Clapp and Pople to take advantage and reduce the deficit to just four goals.

Knights turned up the pressure, and made some flying interceptions, stopping Gems’ flow, but with sterling mid court defence from captain Amy Witcombe, Gems concentrated on their own game and closed the gap with the score 38-33 to Knights going into the final quarter.

Gems knew that they needed to remain consistent and steadfast to achieve their aim of winning the cup for the first time.

As they began their last 15 minutes, the spectators were treated to the most exciting and competitive game of netball, with Gems working hard throughout.

The speed of play, good decision making and great teamwork threw Knights off course.

Fantastic elevation and flying interceptions from Kerry Fellows, who kept her opponent out of the game, were quickly and safely moved down the court.

Great understanding between Danielle Addicott and Hannah Clapp helped to position the shooter close to the post, and Gems brought the game level at 38-apiece.

At this point, both teams seemed to falter, with several minutes of game play where the shots were simply not finding their target.

Gems were the team to break this period of stalemate and took a 39-38 lead, but Knights soon levelled. 

Having worked so hard to level the game, Gems were not in the mood to let it slip out of their sights.

Leading from the defensive end, the whole team refocussed and Gems struck five times before Knights could score again, the Gems lead moving to 44-39.

During the last few minutes, it was Knights’ turn to dominate the game, and they pulled it back to 44-41.

Gems knew that a possession game was all they needed and continued to play strongly, and come the end they had secured a 45-41 win and ensured their long-held desire for cup victory had been accomplished.

Gems would like to thank coach Sammy Kemmish, their squad, club mates, spectators and sponsors for their continued support.