Hinckley Netball in narrow defeat on first day of season

HINCKLEY A team’s first match of the new season saw a close encounter with Coventry and Warwickshire A, narrowly missing out on a win by 3 goals.

The scoreline was tight throughout the first half. Despite a great team performance and player-ofthe-match Bex Oldfield making some fantastic game play in the centre court, the first half finished 26-29. A run of goals in the final quarter gave the spectators a thrilling end to the game but the score concluded at 52-55.

Hinckley B started the new season strongly with a win away at Stockton. Hinckley had a steady start easing themselves calmly into the game in the first quarter, ending it 4 goals up at quarter time.

They then extended their lead and pulled away from Stockton in the second quarter with good work from the shooters, and a strong defensive showing with good pressing throughout the court conceding only 4 goals in the quarter.

At half time Hinckley made changes in both the attacking and defensive circles. The third quarter score was tighter as Hinckley adjusted, but they kept the pressure on the Stockton centre court play and still managed to edge the quarter by 1 goal. The fourth quarter Hinckley were back in their stride and again pulled away from Stockton, with the final score ending 42-24 to Hinckley. Player of the match went to Lucy Masser at Centre.

C team were full of enthusiasm on their first game of the season. The newly formed Hinckley C team played really well against a very organised and experienced team in Alec High. Alec High pulled away in the first quarter showing their experience, however in the second quarter the Hinckley C team started to make a come back, showing good combinations, supportive play and link ups in attack and defence.

The Hinckley C team worked tirelessly, with some good head to head battles across the court. Within the last quarter Alec High started to pull away and won the game 31 to 24. The Hinckley C team showed great potential and are the team to watch this season. Congratulations went to Hinckley’s C team player of the match Chloe P.

Hinckley D team were excited to start the season, with several players being new to the league.

Their opponents were Harbury C who are a strong competitive team and initially in the first few minutes took a commanding lead. Hinckley D settled and fought hard fighting back to end the first quarter only one goal behind at 8-9.

As the game progressed, Harbury settled into their stride and got stronger in each quarter of the game, building on their lead. Hinckley D, still getting to know each other on court, made the mistake of making changes of several positions in an attempt to find a winning combination and fairness in game play for all, which in hindsight was not the best decision. It was not to be and on this occasion Harbury went ahead and won 47 – 21.

Player of the match went to Dasia playing C, GD and WD. An enjoyable and friendly game to start the season and many things for the team to work on for the next matches.

Hinckley E is a brand new team, throughout friendlies they swapped positions to see what worked and what didn’t. One hard task with the team was being very attack heavy, they were able to have a group discussion on the group chat about what worked well and what they should improve on, sharing attacking positions between players and seeing who is able to fill other positions.

One of the main things that they agreed to improve on was communication. They struggled to keep motivated and spacial awareness, and with the last friendly they were able to become more of a team with improvements 1n different areas, which then became a win for the team.

Saturday came and the team were able to start the first quarter off really strongly.

The team was making sure they were passing to each and every player was using the space on the court which made it look very effortless when the ball went in the hoop.

The opponents were Bedworth B team, who were friendly and some players were also new to the team which made the ‘back to netballers’ feel at ease. They were a strong/competitive team.

Communication, spacial awareness and channels gave us a 62-14 win.

Player of the Match went to Imogen, she played GS. An amazing win which brought the team closer together.