Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Resounding victory makes sure of title
Netball
The Canterbury & District League leaders finished their seasons in style this weekend.
Canterbury secured the Division 1 title with a comprehensive win over Oasis while Black Jacks were dominant against second-placed Canterbury Back Tos in Division 2.
Canterbury took advantage early on as Oasis were only able to field six players due to injury and illness.
Louise King at WA was free to feed the circle and Best Attack Alice Ames (GA) converted her goal attempts as Canterbury led 21-8 after just 15 minutes. Star player Lizzie George was impressive at both WD and GD, as was Sara Carter at GK.
The defensive pair for Canterbury were instrumental in closing down the Oasis attack to turn the ball over.
Oasis rallied in the second half thanks to Star Player Siobhan Dennard at GA but the result was in little doubt with Canterbury winning 87-32.
Canterbury have lost just one game on their way to claiming the title they last won in 2011, with a stunning goal tally of 700 goals this season.
Breakaways conceded their game to Pilgrims meaning the rearranged fixture between CFA Diamonds and Pilgrims will decide who will finish runners-up in Division 1.
At the other end of the table Bishops earned a point against six-player Action Pumps, who loaded defence by dropping the WA position rather than the traditional WD.
The gamble paid off as Best Defence Michelle Hards (GD) was able to limit the chances for Bishops and they trailed 22-12 at half-time.
Meanwhile Sarah George, Star Player at centre, worked hard to feed the circle for Best Attack Kim Murphy (GA) and Nicky Anthony (GS) to convert.
Action Pumps extended their lead in the second half to finish 48-30 winners, but Zoe Poulter at centre for Bishops deserved the Star player award for her team.
Black Jacks celebrated the Division 2 title as they made it 14 wins from 14 games for the season.
Best Defence Lavinia Watts (GK) made things difficult for Canterbury Back Tos’ attack and limited their goals to just 10 by half-time.
In contrast the Jacks attack was led by Star Player Nikki Haxton-jones (WA) who created multiple shooting opportunities that were converted by Best Attack Gemma Myers (GA) and Emily Jones at GS.
An impressive third quarter extended the lead to 23 goals and despite the best efforts of Alex Fitzgerald (WA), Star Player for Back Tos, they weren’t able to reduce the deficit as Black Jacks won 51-22.
Having entered the Canterbury League as a new team this season, Black Jacks gelled incredibly well and racked-up 70 points and 649 goals to win the division and promotion.
Bluebirds, in third, took on the improving UKC team who were looking to finish in their highest league position for several seasons.
The experienced shooting partnership, including Best Attack, Michelle Tilbury (GA) for Bluebirds, helped them to an 11-goal lead at halftime.
Vicky Mansfield has proved to be versatile at both ends of the court this season and it was her impressive display at GK that earned her Best Defence while Gemma Myers (GD) was Star Player. Ellie Miller (GD) did her best as Star player for UKC but it wasn’t enough to secure a point as Bluebirds finished winners 33-16.
Two Academy sides faced each other with Academy Reds needing a win to secure fourth above Wahl who had already been awarded a win as Pilgrims Under-19s conceded their early game.
Accurate shooting from mother and daughter duo Sue Gilbert (GA) and Loren Dodds (GS) gave Academy Reds a comprehensive lead after the first 15 minutes and they were rewarded with Star Player and Best Attack respectively.
The young Academy White side battled throughout and played some exclelent netball in the third quarter.
In search of a point for finishing within half their opponents’ score, Whites were just two goals short going into the final quarter as Star player Fawn Bartlett impressed at both C and WD.
However Reds shooters continued their dominance while Best Defence Rachel Bray ( GD) intercepted multiple attacks at the other end as it finished 46-20.