EMERALDS MATCH REPORTS
11/05/13
Emeralds played their final game in Div 2 against fellow relegatees Robins from Bruton. The game started well for Emeralds who took an early lead. Steady and accurate shooting from Nic Hale and Adele Ranford helped to maintain the lead throughout, and with strong defensive work from Rachael Coles and player of the match Emily Hoare, Emeralds held on for a 39 27 win.
04/05/13
Emeralds met top of the table Walton Blacks missing half their team, so knew that it was going to be tough from the start. Emeralds kept fighting throughout, and there was some excellent play from Megan Buller and Georgia Edmundson stepping up a division to fill the gaps. Karen Lewis and Emily Hoare worked hard in the defensive circle, but Walton strode through the game to win 51 – 15. Player of the match went to Karen Lewis.
20/04/13
Emeralds played Knaves from Tor NC and started strongly with great defensive work from Rachael Coles and Emily Hoare, however, once Knaves shooters found their target, they moved into a 13 – 6 at the end of the first quarter. Kelly Thorne and Michelle Martin linked well to deliver some well timed passes into Emma Jayne Brown and Michelle Parr, who were put under great pressure from the Knaves defenders. They stayed strong and had some great shots, but Knaves worked hard to extend their lead to a 42 – 23 win. Player of the match vote was shared between defenders Rachael Coles and Emily Hoare.
13/04/13
Emeralds met Venus on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Emeralds started strongly with good link up play between Kelly Thorne, Michelle Martin and Adele Ranford to ensure the ball arrived safely to GS Roxy McDowell. Emeralds started the second quarter just as strongly as the first and with well timed interceptions from Alex Williams at WD helped Emeralds stay in contention, putting Venus under great pressure. The third quarter saw some changes, defensive duo of Rachel Coles and Emily Hoare swapped positions and kept the Venus Shooters away from the goal post, so they had to work really hard for their attempts at goal. Timely rebounds combined with accurate shooting from Nic Hale at GS meant the lead swapped regularly between Venus and Emeralds. Emeralds started the last quarter in fighting spirit. More changes due to injury saw Michelle Martin move to Centre with Michelle Parr moving into WA, Nic Hale to GK, Emily Hoare to GD and Roxy McDowell to GS. Emeralds created lots of space and fought for every loose ball. Despite a fantastic team effort, Venus held onto their lead with the final score 45 – 39. Alex Williams deserved the player of the match award.
23/03/13
Emeralds had a slow start against Quantock from Taunton NC today, as they settled into yet another starting line up. Quantock pulled ahead during the first quarter despite good movement from shooters Roxy McDowell and Shell Parr, who found space, but were defended strongly by Quantock. The second quarter was level, as Emeralds marked tightly, forcing Quantock to make passing errors under their pressure, particularly from Karen Lewis and Rachael Coles in defence. During the second half, Quantock were able to extend their lead, but great centre court play from Michelle Martin, Alex Williams and player of the match Emily Hoare meant that Quantock did not have things all their own way. However, at the end of the game, Quantock were winners 49 – 27.
09/02/13
Emeralds started well against Minstrels from Norton, who took an early lead at the end of the first quarter 11-7. Strong defensive work from Emily Hoare and Megan Buller who kept pressurising Minstrels shooters to force mistakes. Emeralds centre court players Leanne Wegg and Michelle Martin played well, with short quick passes into the circle to secure some wonderful shots from Roxy McDowell, but unfortunately it was not enough to make a difference. Final score was 48 – 24 to Minstrels. Players of the match went to the defenders Emily Hoare and Megan Buller.
23/02/3
Emeralds met Walton Blacks for the second round of the cup. Emeralds worked hard to bring the ball into the attacking circle, with good linking work from Michelle Martin and Emma-Jayne Brown. Shooters Roxy McDowell and Adele Ranford worked well in the circle and some great shots, but unfortunately, Emeralds met a strong Walton team who extended their early lead throughout the game despite strong defence from players of the match Rachael Coles and Emily Hoare.
16/02/13
Emeralds travelled to Keinton Mandeville on Saturday to play against Kestrels. They started well, creating lots of chances but unfortunately were unable to convert missed shots. Roxy McDowell and Michelle Parr at GA and GS worked hard together, creating good spaces, but were under a lot of pressure from Kestrels defence. Emeralds lost their way slightly in the 2nd quarter with lots of missed chances, but their defensive combination of Nic Hale, Racheal Coles and Alex Williams worked well together to ensure the ball moved swiftly down the court to the attacking players. Emeralds started the 3rd quarter with a few positional changes and lots of fight. Amber Lovell came on at WD and pressurised Kestrel’s attackers and Emeralds capitalised on their mistakes. Nic, now at GD, linked up well with Leanne Wegg at C and Michelle Martin at WA to get the ball safely to Emeralds shooters. Emeralds closed the gap at the end of the quarter, although Kestrels still held the lead. Emeralds never gave up in the 4th quarter and continued to work well as a team. Unfortunately Kestrels also upped their game with Emeralds finding it difficult to get past their defenders. Final score was 33-22 to Kestrels. Player of the match went to Leanne Wegg.
26/01/13
Emeralds met Vipers from Paulton today, and started in positive manner, with great team play between Leanne Wegg and Michelle Martin moving the ball well into Rox McDowell and Adele Ranford. Both shooters were on form taking Emeralds to a 22 – 17 lead at half time. Emeralds continued in strong and determined mood, and excellent defending from Rachael Coles and Emma-Jayne Brown standing in at GD. Tips and interceptions from Alex Williams at WD helped to disrupt Vipers rhythm, and working strongly into the attacking end, Emeralds worked hard to the end. Excellent shooting from Adele Ranford earned her the player of the match vote as Emeralds won 45 – 28.
12/01/13
With quite a few players unavailable, Emeralds played well with Emma-Jayne Brown, Megan Buller and Stephanie Riordan fitting into the team well. The teams had a close first quarter with great centre court play from Michelle Martin playing out of position at centre. However, Queensway capitalized on a some Emeralds mistakes to edge to a lead 9 – 6 at the end of this quarter. Continued good shooting from Roxy McDowell linking well with Brown, helped Emeralds increase their score, however, Queensway were also on form and at half time led 23 – 16. A good display from Emeralds defenders during the second half of the game saw Alex Williams and Emily Hoare pressurizing their opponents and making well timed interceptions, however, it was not enough to stop Queensway pulling away to win the game 45 – 24. Player of the match went to Emily Hoare.
05/01/13
Emeralds played Hendford from Yeovil and started the game with great confidence. Good play from the defensive end through to the attackers, gave Emeralds a 11 – 7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Hendford began to fight back in the second quarter, but good linking play between Alex Williams, Leanne Wegg and Michelle Martin in the centre of the court helped to keep Emeralds in the game. But Hendford’s shooters were finding their target and took them to a 4 goal lead at half time. Despite hard work from Roxy McDowell and Adele Ranford in Emeralds shooting circle, Hendford’s defence stepped up a pace, and picked up several rebounds which Hendford took advantage of to extend their lead. Trailing going into the final quarter, Emeralds didn’t give up with Emily Hoare and Rachael Coles making valuable interceptions, but Emeralds were unable to close the deficit, with the final score being 41 – 30 to Hendford. Leanne Wegg was voted player of the game.
01/12/12
Emeralds played Knaves in a nail biting game, with Emeralds taking an early lead in the first quarter. Rachael Coles and Emily Hoare worked hard in the defensive circle making interceptions which were swiftly passed through the court to shooters Roxy McDowell and Carly Langdon. Emeralds fought hard throughout the game, but Knaves moved into the lead and Emeralds could not close the gap. The final score was 37 – 28 to Knaves with Roxy McDowell voted player of the match.
17/11/12
Emeralds played a hard fought game against an in form Quantock side. Good attacking work from Steph Elkins and Michelle Martin, working the ball well into shooters Roxy McDowell and Adele Ranford. However, Quantock’s defenders were on good form forcing errors, and picking up rebounds. As Quantock moved into the lead, Emeralds tried to remain strong to keep with Quantock, but despite strong defense from Emily Hoare and Rachael Coles, supported well by Alex Williams, Quantock pulled away to a 52 – 22 win. Player of the match went to Rachael Coles.
03/11/12
Emeralds met Mars today and started off well but finshed the first quarter down 9-11. Good partnership in the attacking circle saw Roxy McDowell and Adele Ranford shooting accurately to keep the score increasing. An injury in the 3rd quarter saw Kerry Clark replace Michelle Martin in centre court, linking well with Steph Elkins. Good defence saw Nic Hale, Rachael Coles and Alex Williams keep the Mars team working hard but it wasnt enough in the end as Emeralds lost 34-42. Player of the match was Alex Williams.
27/10/12
Emeralds had a tough game against unbeaten Kestrels from Keinton. The ball flowed well from defence to attack, but Kestrels defenders were quick to intercept the passes into the circle. Michelle Martin worked hard in the centre of the court, linking well with Megan Walford and Carly Langdon. Kerry Clark was feeling unwell and despite her efforts on the court, ran out of steam, and was replaced at half time by Jo Bromme. Defensively, Emily Hoare and Rachael Coles worked tirelessly, making several well timed interceptions. Alex Williams and Jo Bromme worked hard during the second half to create space in the court area, but Kestrels shooters were on form to win the match 36 – 11. Emily Hoare deserved the player of the match award.
20/10/12
Emeralds had a few changes for the trip to Paulton. Roxy McDowell and Megan Walford linked well at GS and GA, to give Emeralds a good start with some well placed shots. Unfortunately, Paulton’s shooters were also on form, and they took an early 20 – 8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Lucy McDowell came onto the court at GK during the second quarter, to give some added height in the circle. She made some good interceptions, to help move the ball into Emeralds attacking area, but despite this, Vipers ended the quarter 39 – 19 ahead. The third quarter began brightly for Emeralds, with excellent play between Emily Hoare, Kerry Clark and Michelle Martin in the centre court, however, Paulton increased the pressure taking the quarter to 61 – 30. A slow start to the final quarter for Emeralds, with Katie Dennison moving to WD to help create space, the team continued to pressure their opponents, however, Paulton’s shooters were on top form and extended their lead to 73 – 35 at the final whistle. Player of the match went to Roxy McDowell.
13/10/12
A good game for Emeralds today, saw some different faces in the starting line up. Good partnerships between Nic Hale and Amy Edmundson in the attacking circle, was backed up by good centre court players Michelle Martin, Kerry Clark and Alex Williams. Good movement down the court saw Emeralds lead throughout the game with good defence from Emily Hoare and Rachael Coles working hard to keep the score down. Final score was 35-24 to Emeralds, with player of the match vote going to Kerry Clark and Emily Hoare.
06/10/12
Emeralds met Minstrels from Midsomer Norton on Saturday with a full team, the first quarter being a positive one for Emeralds. Good links and support between the attacking players and accurate shooting from Adele Ranford and Roxy McDowell, took Emeralds into a 11 – 7 lead. Good play from Kerry Clark, who pressured her partner at WD, and worked strongly alongside Rachael Coles and Emily Hoare in the defensive circle to Emeralds to a half time lead of 19 – 18. Minstrels continued to put Emeralds under pressure during the second half of the game despite confident game play from the Emeralds team, but once ahead, Minstrels did not look back, to win the game 42 – 37. Michelle Martin and Emily Hoare were voted joint players of the game.
29/09/12
Emeralds had a tough game against local rivals Venus from Bridgwater club today. Despite determined play from Emeralds, Venus took the lead. Adele Ranford worked hard at GA, and linking with Roxy McDowell, but their shots were thwarted by Venus’ strong defencive team. Mikki Hole worked tirelessly at centre, to deserve the man of the match vote as Venus won the game 64 - 21. The score did not fully reflect the game.
22/09/12
Emeralds met Walton Blacks on a sunny Saturday lunchtime with a much different starting line up causing Emeralds to start slowly. There were good links between the attacking players, ensuring they kept the ball in their end. Meanwhile, Kerry Clark who had dropped back to GD hassled her partner well, alongside Vicky Evans standing in at GK. Walton began to stretch a lead during the second quarter and at half time were 30 – 9 ahead, not really reflecting the game. Emeralds had a change of positions at half time, and to some extent this helped, but with strong defending from Walton, Emeralds found it difficult to score the goals and the game ended a 57 – 13 win to Walton. Kerry Clark was voted as player of the match.
15/09/12
Emeralds first game of the season against Parkfield from Galmington NC, started well with the attacking players working well. Good shooting from Roxy McDowell and Adele Ranford, with strong support from Mikki Hole and Michelle Martin kept Rubies in touch just three goals behind as they went into the second quarter. The defensive players worked hard, with Rachael Coles and Emily Hoare making several well timed interceptions, and linking with Kerry Clark at WD, to bring the ball into the attacking end, Rubies pulled back to be level 19 all at half time. Queensway pulled away during the third quarter which was fast with a lot of goals scored, to take the lead 26 – 37 as the game went into the final quarter. Rubies however, did not give up, and pressed on, with well timed movement by all players and continued accuracy from the shooters to win the quarter, but unfortunately it was not enough to win the game, losing by 7. Emily Hoare at GK was voted player of the match.