Third Team Match Reports
13th July 2010
Final Score - Grasshoppers 27 : Zeus 22
The last game of the season … Hoppers III already secure for promotion but wanting to win the division … a must-win game against Zeus, whom we had drawn with earlier in the season.
As it began to get dark and black rainclouds drew closer Hoppers took an early lead despite neither team maintaining possession or passing fluidly down the court. Throughout the game there were constant unforced errors from both sides and Hoppers did not always heed the advice from the sidelines and shouts to slow down and concentrate! For the second half Emily swapped to GS with Megan coming out to GA and Em’s height and positioning in the circle began to yield a steady stream of goals to take Hoppers 5 goals ahead going into the last quarter. With everything to play for it was a closely contested final 10 minutes, resulting in a drawn quarter but Hoppers victorious overall by 27 goals to 22.
Player of the match (chosen by opponents): Andrea
11 wins, 1 draw, 2 defeats, 302 goals for and 178 goals against all add up to HOPPERS III winning Division 6 of the Dudley Summer Netball League!
Congratulations to each and every player who has contributed to this success – teamwork and 110% effort really has paid off.
A BIG thank you must also go to Sally B for always being on the sidelines to support and guide us. We couldn’t have done it without you Sal x
6th July 2010
Final Score - Grasshoppers 46 : Old Halesonians III 8
Another must win game for Hoppers – and we did exactly that! The scores at each quarter speak for themselves:
Q1: Hoppers 12 – OH 4 (Q1 won 12-4)
Q2: 24 - 5 (Q2 won 12-1)
Q3: 38 - 6 (Q3 won 14-1)
Q4: 46 - 8 (Q4 won 8-2)
With one more game to go Hoppers are in a secure promotion place … but now we want the last win to see us finish as champions of Division 6!
Player of the match (selected by opponents): Abi
29th June 2010
Final Score - Grasshoppers 19 : Dudley Sapphires 15
Going into this game we knew it was a must-win match – Dudley Sapphires and Hoppers were joint top of the Division 6 table, with Dudley placed ahead of us purely on goal difference. Sal B made the decision to start the game with our ‘shorter’ shooters of Megan (GS) and Abi (GA) – a tactic that worked perfectly and by the end of the first quarter Hoppers had taken the lead by several goals – a lead that was to be held throughout the rest of the game. Our team of Andrea (GK), Sue P (GD), Vita (WD), Caroline (C) and Rai (WD) stuck together and, on the whole, moved the ball safely down court with secure, steady, passing and numerous interceptions and turn-overs in defence. Going in to the second half of the game Emily came on at GA and, after a little time to settle with encouragement to slow down with the shots, Hoppers continued to play confidently. As tiredness set-in in the final quarter there were shouts from the sideline to keep passes short and accurate – we did not always make things easy for ourselves! That said, to end the game victorious by 19 goals to 15 was exactly what we had set out to do – meaning that Hoppers are top-of-the table as we go into the last 2 games of the season. Thanks to Claire for coming along to support. Well played girls!
Player of the match (selected by opponents): Abi
22nd June 2010
Final Score - Grasshoppers 17 : Beeches A 12
Knowing that we were top of the table, albeit on goal difference, meant that we started our match against Beeches A with the intention of winning and nothing less. The starting line-up of Megan (GS), Emily (GA), Amanda (WA), Lauren (C), Vita (WD), Sue P (GD) and Andrea (GK) got off to a slow start but towards the close of the quarter the movement in and around the shooting circle began to come together and Megan’s shots were flying in. For the second quarter Emily and Megan switched places but Hoppers were unable to maintain a consistent game, with lots of unforced errors. However we held onto the lead and made numerous attacking changes at half term: Abi came on as GA, Rai as WA and Amanda moved to C. As the team settled there were some short periods of good play however we did not make things easy for ourselves. Going into the final quarter the game was ours to win and we began the quarter very positively, scoring several goals to take the match realistically beyond Beeches’ grasp. But yet again the quarter become littered with unforced errors including long throws, cross court balls and unnecessary mistakes. Not the best Hoppers’ performance in terms of our skill and discipline – however a win is a win and we now look forward to next week’s top-of-the-table clash with Dudley Sapphires.
Player of the match (selected by opposition): Megan
15th June 2010
Final Score - Grasshoppers 20 : Birmingham City B 11
The last time we faced Birmingham City we had left the court defeated by a score of 10-14. It had not been a good Hoppers performance and the more we reflected on it the more we knew that we had let the other team’s attitude and physical tactics get to us. We were therefore fired-up for a return fixture when we would keep our heads and show our true colours. The starting line-up of Abi (GS), Sal B (GA), Amanda (WA), Caroline (C), Rai (WD), Sue P (GD) and Andrea (GK) got off to a good start, moving the ball confidently down the court and creating numerous shooting opportunities. The low sun didn’t help matters but by quarter time we had taken the lead and were beginning to get the feel of the game. Despite generally keeping possession well and moving the ball down the court smoothly, far too many shots on goal were missed in the second quarter and our lead become slimmer. Abi and Sal switched positions and we went into the second half of the game with a positive attitude, re-capturing the shooting accuracy of the first quarter. In defence Sue, Andrea and Rai were intercepting early in Birmingham City’s goal third, giving them very limited opportunities for a shot on goal. Going into the last quarter of the game the victory was ours for the taking and we held firm to win, 20-11. It might not have been our best Hoppers’ performance to date but we were pleased to have won by a reasonable margin whilst proving that we can maintain our composure and keep our concentration. Thanks to Luc and Gayna for coming along to support us.
Player of the match (selected by opponents): Sal B
18th May 2010
Final Score - Grasshoppers 22 : Zeus 22
As the game began Hoppers were sitting at the top of the division 6 table on 27 points, with Zeus, our opponents, just one point behind on 26. We knew it was going to be a tough, hard-fought game and this was very much the case. During the first quarter our team of Megan (GS), Abi (GA), Amanda (WA), Andrea (C), Vita (WD), Sue P (GD) and Sue M (GK) quickly re-captured last week’s fluent passing, with good movement of the ball around the shooting circle. This was again the case in the 2nd quarter with lots of defensive interceptions being converted in attack. By half time we knew that Zeus would come back at us extremely hard in the second half of the match and despite still playing well, we began to lose our command of the game. Going into the final quarter there was everything to play for but again Zeus fought hard and took the lead. If we’re honest we were all disappointed by the final result of a 22-22 draw but, as Sally B and Sally C reminded us from the sidelines, we had pulled together as a team, not lost our heads and had held on for a result that keeps us near the top of the table at the mid-way point of the season - Here’s to a successful second half!
Q1: Hoppers 8 – Zeus 5 (Q1 won 8-5)
Q2: 14 – 8 (Q2 won 6-3)
Q3: 19 – 16 (Q3 lost 5-8)
Q4: 22 – 22 (Q4 lost 3-6)
Player of the match (selected by opponents): Andrea
11th May 2010
Final Score - Grasshoppers 29 : Old Halesonians III 10
Having played well and recorded victories the past couple of weeks, Hoppers III were feeling confident and positive as we took to the court against Old Halesonians III. The first quarter was close as we got a feel for the game and settled into the match. Going into the second quarter the team of Megan (GS), Abi (GA), Amanda (WA), Carol (C), Rai (WD), Sue P (GD) and Andrea (GK) were eager to press on, capitalise on the accuracy and confidence of our passing and take the lead. We did just that, scoring 9 goals in 10 minutes, working the ball around a triangle in attack and defending throughout the court, preventing our opposition from adding to their score. Sal B and Sian on the sidelines gave lots of encouragement and reminders to use direct passes, channelling the ball down the court. Sue M came on at GK with Andrea moving to WD. We continued to play well during the third and fourth quarters, upping the tempo a little in the last ten minutes of the game, scoring at almost every opportunity and showing how fluently and securely we can pass the ball and work as a team. Another great game and result for Hoppers III. Well played girls!
Q1: Hoppers 6 – Halesonians 4 (Q1: won 6-4)
Q2: 15 - 4 (Q2: won 9-0)
Q3: 21 – 7 (Q3: won 6-3)
Q4: 29 - 10 (Q4: won 8-3)
Player of the match (selected by opponents): Megan
4th May 2010
Final Score - Grasshoppers 25 : Dudley Sapphires 15
As we began our match against top-of-the-table Dudley Sapphires we knew that it was likely to be a tough game, particularly as Dudley went ahead, despite only having 6 players. However, the Hoppers team of Megan (GS), Abi (GA), Amanda (WA), Carol (C), Rai (WD), Sue P (GD) and Sue M (GK) soon got-to-grips with what was happening and as the 7th Dudley player took to the court we took the lead, ending the quarter 6-5 ahead. Sally B gave some advice from the sidelines and we carried and extended our lead through the quarter. At half time some stern words from Sally reiterated that we need to act upon advice given and once we started to implement this on court Hoppers dominated the game, winning the third quarter by an impressive 9-2. Sue M and Sue P were making numerous interceptions in defence (despite a very tall GS) and in attack both Megan and Abi were shooting accurately and finding lots of space to move in the circle. Rai, Carol and Amanda were carrying the ball safely through centre court and, on the whole, putting in an extra pass in the goal third rather than forcing the ball into the circle. Going into the last quarter, 10 goals ahead, we felt confident that the win was ours and began to tire slightly. However we held Dudley to a drawn quarter, resulting in a final score of Hoppers 25 – Dudley Sapphires 15. Another excellent Hoppers performance and a well deserved victory!
Q1: Hoppers 6 – Dudley Sapphires 5 (Q1: won 6-5)
Q2: 11 - 8 (Q2: won 5-3)
Q3: 20 - 10 (Q3: won 9-2)
Q4: 25 - 15 (Q4: drawn 5-5)
Player of the match (selected by opponents): Abi
27th April 2010
Final Score - Grasshoppers 22 : Beeches A 12
The first quarter of the match, with a starting line-up of Abi (GS), Megan (GA), Rai (WA), Amanda (C), Andrea (WD), Sue P (GD) and Sue M (GK), got off to a close start with each team matching the other goal-for-goal. However, thanks to some very accurate shooting from Abi and Megan, by the end of the first quarter Hoppers were 7-4 ahead; a lead that would be held and extended throughout the game. Again during the second quarter Hoppers moved the ball comfortably down the court, capitalising on our centre pass and converting our shots. At half time Carol came on as C, Vita as WD and Andrea moved to GD. It took us some time to settle in the third quarter and there was clear feedback from Sally and Nicky on the sidelines that there were too many long/high balls being forced into the shooting circle and that an extra pass in attack was needed. This advice was probably not heeded as much as it should have been, however the final quarter of the game saw Hoppers extend their lead further – resulting in a pleasing victory by 10 goals. A good team performance.
Q1: Hoppers 7 – Beeches A 4 (Q1: won 7-4)
Q2: 13 – 8 (Q2: won 6-4)
Q3: 17 – 11 (Q3: won 5-4)
Q4: 22 - 12 (Q4: won 5-1)
Player of the match (selected by opponents): Rai
20th April 2010
Final Score - Grasshoppers 10 : Birmingham City B 14
Almost as soon as we took to the court for our match against Birmingham B it was clear that it was going to be a physical and close game. The starting line-up of Megan (GS), Abi (GA), Amanda(WA), Carol (C), Rai (WD), Andrea (GD) and Sue M (GK) held-our-own, to some extent, during the first half of the game and despite remaining behind kept the score deficit to a minimum. At half time Megan came off, with Abi moving to GS, Carol to GA and Amanda to C, with Kim coming on at WA. However, if we’re honest, in the third quarter we let the attitude and approach of the other team get the better of us – losing our heads and completely failing to play the game in the way that we know we can and should. After some stern words and encouragement from Sal B and Deb on the sidelines, Rai came off, Kim moved to WD and Megan returned at WA. In so many respects it was too-little-too-late but in the final quarter we did begin to take the upper hand and were, at one point, just 1 goal behind. We weren’t able to capitalise on this upturn as much as we would have hoped, but did at least feel that we left the court knowing that beating Birmingham City in the ‘return’ fixture is not beyond our grasp – provided we go on court prepared for what we will undoubtedly face.
Player of the match (selected by opponents): Kim.
13th April 2010
Final Score - Grasshoppers 26 : Walsall Phoenix 13
Having been gifted a win last week when our opponents conceded, this was officially our first game of the summer season. Our starting line-up of Megan (GS), Emily (GA), Abi (WA), Amanda (C), Rai (WD), Sue P (GD) and Sue M (GK) got off to a good start, taking an early lead with excellent shooting from Megan. However this lead was short-lived and by the end of the first quarter Hoppers were just one goal ahead at 8 - 7. Despite the rain in the second quarter we pulled together as a team, passing confidently down the court with Emily and Megan continuing to shoot accurately. At half time the score was 14 - 8 and whilst Sally B gave the defence some pointers, Carol came on at C with Amanda moving to WA. During the third quarter our concentration slipped a little, not helped by the wet ball, but the scoreline at the end of the quarter gave us a 6 goal lead to carry into the final quarter. In the closing 10 minutes of the game Abi returned to WA and the team pulled together and pushed on. There were some fantastic interceptions in defence, resulting in the Walsall Phoenix shooters being unable to convert a goal during the quarter whilst Emily and Megan’s accuracy did not wane. A great team performance from Hoppers and a positive start to the summer season. Well played girls!
Q1: Hoppers 8 – Walsall Phoenix 7 (Q1: won 8-7)
Q2: 14 – 8 (Q2: won 6-1)
Q3: 19 – 13 (Q3: drawn 5-5)
Q4: 26-13 (Q4: won 7-0)
Player of the match (selected by opponents): Rai