SAPPHIRES MATCH REPORTS
11/02/12
Sapphires travelled to Taunton to meet Tone, and started the game strongly despite missing both selected shooters. Abi King and Helen Martin played well in the circle and helped Sapphires to a 10 – 6 lead at quarter time. Hannah Read came on from the second quarter, and continued the good play. At the other end of the court, strong defending from Karen Lewis and Sue Bushnell restricted Tone’s attempts at goal, with well timed interceptions, and Sapphires extended their lead to 21 – 14 at half time. The third quarter proved to be a tough one, as Tone fought back hard, however the support from centre court players Katie Ball, Laura Coombes and Carly Martin helped Sapphires place some great balls into the circle. However, Tone reduced the deficit by a goal going into the final quarter, with Sapphires ahead 29 – 23. The final quarter was a real team effort, with Bushnell and Lewis dominating the defensive circle and Martin and Read the attacking circle. The final score was a well deserved 41 – 33 win for Sapphires, with Karen Lewis voted player of the match.
28/01/12
Sapphires played away to Sharks of Stanchester on Saturday. A close first quarter produced great effort from both teams. Carly Martin was replaced by Debbie Chapman due to injury early in the first quarter, and she gave a great performance throughout. With some excellent interceptions and pressure from Sue Bushnell and Karen Lewis in defence, Sapphires turned the game around for a goal difference of only one during the second quarter. Sharks started the third quarter strongly, to increase the lead to 10, but Sapphires persevered with great encouragement from captain Carly Martin. In the final quarter a determined Sapphires continued the hard work, with Katie Ball and Laura Coombes finding shooters Gemma Thorne and Nic Hale more easily, but were unable to close the gap, and lost the fixture 44 – 37. The player of the match vote went to the defending team Sue Bushnell and Karen Lewis.
21/01/12
Sapphires had a slow start against Dukes in the Quarter final of the KO cup, ending the first quarter 14-7 down. However, the team fought hard to gain control of the game and accurate passes from Katie Ball and Laura Coombes meant that Helen Martin and Gemma Thorne were able to convert great goals, to take Sapphires to a half time lead of just one goal – 20-19. During the third quarter, good defensive work from Debbie Chapman and Nic Hale meant that Sapphires were able to increase their lead to 3 goals, but Dukes pushed Sapphires all the way pressuring every pass, and ensuring that Sapphires earned every goal. Sapphires held their game to the end of the match to win 39-35 and to move to the semi final round. Player of the match was Gemma Thorne.
07/01/12
Sapphires started the game well against Swans from Wells, and took an early lead with some excellent shooting from Gemma Thorne and Nic Hale, supported well throughout by Emma-Jayne Brown and Katie Ball. Swans played strongly during the third quarter, to move ahead, but Sapphires were also very determined and with some great interceptions from the defensive team, Sue Bushnell, Karen Lewis and Carly Martin the game remained close. A feisty final quarter between the teams saw Sapphires take the lead, and with continued accurate shooting Sapphires won the game 37 – 36. The player of the match vote went to Gemma Thorne.
17/12/11
Sapphires put up a good fight, in a well competed game against Quantock from Taunton NC. The game was close throughout with excellent defending from Karen Lewis and Sue Bushnell, in the Sapphires defensive circle. Sapphires were always ahead in the game, but Quantock pushed them all the way, but steady and solid play from Carly Martin and Katie Ball helped move the ball to the shooters who were calm and accurate under great pressure. The final score was 31 – 25 to Sapphires with Sue Bushnell player of the match.
10/12/11
Sapphires played away on Saturday to Yeovil’s third team Wyndham. The result was disappointing for Sapphires, losing by one goal. When the game commenced Sapphires appeared relaxed and in control of their game. Beth Fella, who has just returned from injury, stepped in to play GK along with Susan Bushnell as GD. They worked the circle well showing strong team work and making interceptions. Carly Martin (WD) gave excellent support to the defence and acted as the main link when bringing the ball to all attacking players. In the second and third quarters Wyndham raised their game dramatically and improved their shooting and defending skills. Fortunately for Sapphires Laura Coombes (C) and Sammie Brown (WA) remained calm and collected and ensured the ball was brought up the court and placed with shooters Nicola Hale and Gemma Thorne. However, the consistency from Wyndham allowed them to pull away in score, leading at the end of the third quarter. Going into the fourth quarter Sapphires enhanced their performance which put pressure on the opposition. Each player worked hard when in control of the ball and ensured space was created to enable the ball to be driven into the shooters. However, Wyndham managed to hold their lead winning 36-35. Carly Martin had an excellent game and was voted player of the match, and Gemma Thorne was given Umpire player.
03/12/11
Sapphires had a changed team due to unavailability for their match against Swans from Wells. Sapphires had a slow start during the first quarter, and were trailing 2-9 as they went into the second. They came out with a more determined attitude during the second quarter, and thanks to well timed interceptions from Sue Bushnell and Lynne Cornish, they began to close the gap. Well placed goals from Gemma Thorne and Justine Pearn, brought the score to a closer 14-11 at half time. The second half of the match remained steady and evenly matched, and Sapphires continued to apply great pressure to Swans. Sammie Brown filled in at wing attack, and had a great game, linking well with Carly Martin and Laura Coombes. Both teams picked up vital interceptions and forced their opponents to make errors during the last quarter. The game drew level and went goal for goal, making for a nail biting final few minutes. The final score was 30 all and the player of the match award was given deservedly to Laura Coombes
29/11/11
Sapphires met premier division team Knights in the first round of the Knock Out cup competition. Knights came out strong and fast, against a rather shocked Sapphires side, however after losing the first quarter by 6, Sapphires found their fighting spirit. With some excellent interceptions and pressure from Debbie Chapman and Karen Lewis in defence, Sapphires turned the game around for a goal difference of only one at half time. Knights started the third quarter strongly, to increase the lead, with Sapphires struggling to find their space, but they persevered with great encouragement from captain Carly Martin. In the final quarter a determined Sapphires continued the hard work, with Katie Ball and Laura Coombes finding shooters Gemma Thorne and Justine Pearn more easily, but were unable to close the gap to loose by 5. This was an excellent result against a team from the Premier division. Player and umpires player of the match was Katie Ball.
15/11/11
Sapphires put aside their friendships when they played against the club’s third team Rubies. With great determination, they controlled and led each quarter. Shots from Gemma Thorne and Nic Hale were on target throughout, despite strong work from Rubies defenders Rachael Coles and Debbie Chapman. Sapphires defenders, Karen Lewis and particularly Sue Bushnell who had a great game at GK, were both on form stopping the Rubies attackers moving where they wanted, and the pressure applied forced errors. There was little that Rubies could do to prevent Sapphires from running away from the game, however, they continued to fight until the end of the match, which Sapphires won 55 – 26.
12/11/11
Sapphires had a good start against opposition Sharks from Stanchester, with a close and well fought game. Sharks, who have not lost a game yet, had to work hard thanks to excellent interceptions from Karen Lewis (GD), and good team work from Carly Martin and Katie Ball. Sapphires found good space, moving the ball into shooters Gemma Thorne and Sandra Fry, and with accurate shooting were ahead at half time. However, Sharks really increased the intensity of their game and gave Sapphires a challenging third quarter, during which, Sharks moved into the lead despite the strong work by all the Sapphires players. Sapphires were unable to match their opponents play during the final quarter, as Sharks pulled away to a 10 goal win, 44 - 34. A very well deserved man of the match vote went to Karen Lewis.
05/11/11
Sydenham Netball clubs second team Sapphires drove to victory against friendly rivals Venus from Bridgwater Netball club. The whole team were extremely motivated before the game commenced which had an overall positive outcome. In the first quarter Sapphires began in positive form, with strong passing into the attacking circle from both Katie Ball (C) and Laura Coombes (WA). Consistent and precise shooting from Justine Pearn and Gemma Thorne enabled Sapphires to be leading 16 – 7 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter Venus enhanced their performance placing Sapphires under slight pressure on court. However the defence Debbie Chapman (WD) Karen Lewis (GD) and Susan Bushnell (GK) remained unruffled and showed excellent defending skills, forcing Venus’ attack to make mistakes, and helping Sapphires to increase their lead to 30 – 18 at half time. Throughout the third and fourth quarters, Sapphires remained in control of the game and steadily increased the distance in score. Outstanding support from the defence allowed the attack to create spacing in their end, showing good movement of play. Sapphires worked very well as a team which resulted in a victory 55 – 35. A great effort by all, especially Justine Pearn who received Man of the match.
15/10/11
Sapphires met Dukes from Glastonbury, and knew they were to be in a close game from the start, with both teams working hard to get the ball into their respective circles, and Sapphires held a 10 – 9 lead going into the second quarter. As Dukes applied greater pressure, they moved into the lead despite strong defending from Sue Bushnell and Karen Lewis leaving Sapphires behind 16 – 20 at half time. A strong team talk from captain Carly Martin at half time brought the team out in great fighting spirit, and with positive centre court movement, and accurate passing, Sapphires brought the game level at 27 all. The final quarter was tense with Dukes taking a slight lead, but Sapphires were not finished, and great shooting from Nic Hale and Justine Pearn brought them level and then into the lead, with the momentum in Sapphires favour, they pulled away to a deserved 42 – 36 win. Carly Martin and Sue Bushnell received the player of the match award.
24/09/11
Sapphires went out hard in the first quarter with some accurate shooting by Sandra Fry and Nic Hale ending with a 5 goal lead 15 - 10 at the end of the first quarter. However, after some team changes from Claremont in the second quarter, the gap on the scoreboard decreased to 21 - 20 at half time. Sapphires fought back with excellent defending by Rachael Coles and Debbie Chapman in the 3rd Quarter, making vital interceptions, and ensuring the ball was pushed into the attacking end of the court. It was still a very close game, but a determined Sapphires team began to pull away, and sailed to a 46-36 deserved win. Player of the match went to Nic Hale and Carly Martin.
17/09/11
Sapphires had a great start to the season winning their first match against Parkfield from Galmington, 44-14. The whole team played well and gelled together nicely. Great pressure from defenders Sue Bushnell, Sandy Hocking and Carly Martin forced Parkfield to make errors. There were some brilliant passes into the circle from Laura Coombes and Katie Ball to shooters Gemma Thorne and Nic Hale who then consistently converted some great goals. Player of the match was split between Katie Ball, Laura Coombes and Sue Bushnell. With Katie Ball also receiving the umpire vote