GIRLS’ SPORTS REPORTS 17/03/14

1ST TEAM (OUNDLE LOST 27-22. V RUGBY LOST 24-11)

No excuses for our first team today with under performance against both Rugby and Oundle.  The Oundle game was goal for goal for 36 of the 40 minutes game, poor ball placement and poor movement and positioning allowing Oundle to stay in touch, with four to go we missed shots and threw ball away allowing Oundle to score off all centre passes, score 27-22 loss.

Things did not improve in the Rugby game with poor decision making, loose passes and general underperformance.  Lizzie Churchouse continued to turn ball over but these were sadly squandered in the attack.  A much better performance needed if we are to compete at the Queen Margaret’s tournament on Wednesday. 

2ND VII

The 2nd VII had two tough matches against very good Teams from Rugby and Oundle which had some tall girls.  Kitty Wilson and Ellie Warren Barrett worked tirelessly in the defensive circle.   Nicola Fleck was an effective Wing Defence who helped turn the ball around on many occasions.  Georgia McCutcheon played Centre with Phoebe Thorpe who both worked with determination against some physical opponents.  

Amy Walker was adaptable and played in both attack and defence for us.  We were desperately short of a Goal Attack due to injuries so thank you to the following girls who stepped in the shooting circle: Kim Champlin, Ellie Mowsley and Molly Richmond.  Steph Gardner lead the team as Captain and was Goal Shooter. Unfortunately the goals would not go in during both matches and our shooters were smothered by v big defence who did a lot of double marking.  

It was tough physically and mentally playing two matches back to back and we made quite a few basic errors overall which was compounded by new combinations of girls working together. However well done to all the girls who played and kept going.  

U16 NETBALL

A great days netball for the U16s in warm and sunny conditions in Rugby.  We started strongly against Oundle’s U16 B team who made lots of basic errors, allowing us to capitalise and pull to a 10-1 lead after 10 minutes of play. Excelled shooting from Anna Walkden and Holly Hesford gave us the best possible start.

The 2nd quarter was equally good with plenty of interceptions from Poppy harnby & Holly Hesford in defence and Katherine Fleck picking up many a loose ball in centre court. Rose Arnold was rested at half-time with Fern nut tall coming back after an ankle injury. A strong 3rd quarter gave us a 25-4 lead going into the final quarter where Holly Hesford was replaced by Mollie Richmond at GS and we extended the lead to 31-8 as the final whistle went. Anna Walkden was best player in the first match.

Confidence was high going into the second match, though we were without shooter Holly Hesford who payed up for the 1st VII. Laylah and Poppy had also played for the 1sts during the match break. Again we started really well and pulled to a 7-2 lead, with Rose Arnold playing GA and linking well with Anna Walkden at GS.

The aim for the team at quarter time was not to be pulled for held ball and the girls rose to the challenge, giving more definite offers and reoffers through the centre court. Fern Nuttall, Captain Laylah Scott and Katherine Fleck brought the bull successfully through the mid court and effectively switched from band to band, also feeding the circle effectively.

At 3/4 time we were 23-6 up and the final score was 25-7 after the match was curtailed due to an injury to a Rugby player. Laylah Scott and Poppy Harnby were joint best players in the second match, though the whole team raised their game and should be very proud of this result.

U15 NETBALL

What a fantastic result for the U15’s Sedbergh girls at the Rugby Tournament this weekend with a goal for the day to produce a united team performance! By supporting, encouraging and backing each other off both on and off the the girls were able to bring their A-Game and demonstrate a high level of netball!

A slow start to the Oundle game meant that the girls were in for a tough fight back. Impressive and diligent defence by Georgia, True and Rebecca took Sedbergh to draw 11 all at half time. The girls finally found their 6th gear and stole the game away from Oundle in the second half with quick balls and great timing to win 26-22. 

Against Rugby our basics slipped away from us and saw us gripping on to every possession we had. As Rugby continued to challenge the girls throughout the first half we knew that our intensity needed to step up! An extremely tight game the whole way through showed good contested balls and a need for consistent shooting as it was goal for goal. Terrific determination to win from the girls finished the game 21-19 for the win! Outstanding effort by these girls. A truly great TEAM performance!

U14 NETBALL 

A fantastic day with perfect conditions for netball hosted by Rugby School. The the u14s came up against strong teams from Rugby and Oundle schools. A strong performance from the start against Oundle meant they lead by 7 at half time. Bell kept their centre in check and limited their game play. Lewin and Turner combined well in the shooting circle with strong holds and passes to each other.

Changes at half time brought fresh legs to try and increase the lead that had decreased to four goals 21-17. The u14s showed maturity and composure to again up their tempo and ran out 28-22 winners. A great match with the u14 playing some of the best netball all season. 

With both Sedbergh and Rugby  winning their first games it came down to the winners of the last game. Marshall, and Nelstrop were brought in as replacements for Lewin and Boyd-Moss respectively. The girls started brightly gaining a four goal lead from the start. Mistakes and a loss of composure let Rugby back into the game and were 15-11 up at half time.

Further changes to try and increase the tempo meant Sykes went to Centre where she started to control the game. Holdsworth and Holliday turned over the ball in defence and worked as a unit at the back. Further changes for the final quarter brought back the impressive Lewin to GA with Turner moving back to strengthen the defence. The changes seemed to make a big difference with Sedbergh winning he final quarter 8-3 but were eventually beaten by a good Rugby side 26-22. 

The girls should be very proud of their performance over the two games showing how far they have progressed this season. 
Player of the day went to Lewin who really stepped up to the mark today with some impressive shooting. 

LACROSSE V AMPLEFORTH 

Sedbergh’s under 15 team has gone from strength to strength since the start of the term.The Ampleforth game was extremely well fought and evenly matched with the score line never more than three goals difference, keeping Sedbergh focused and alert throughout the entire game.

Outstanding defensive slides and communication as well as superb goalkeeping from Nicola Medcalf denied Ampleforth multiple chances to score. The midfield moved the ball up the field with ease and in attack Sedbergh found space and created opportunities for one on one shots to goal with Sarah Long leading the scoring with eight goals. 

A fantastic start for the U15’s and a promising step in the right direction ahead of next year. 

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