Match Report: Bristol Netball 2s 47-38 Cardiff University 3s
By Ava Featon, English Literature First Year
Both Bristol and Cardiff have had an undefeated run this season so far in the England Netball Western League 2. Making this match up the game of the season!
Iris Huggins (GK) started the first quarter off with a bang, gaining a backline turnover on the first Cardiff centre pass of the game. Setting the tone for the next sixty minutes, it was certain that Huggins did not plan on losing this match. Playing the ball out from the back line, Huggins earnt her team the first goal of the game scored by co-captain Fran Tomassoni (GS). Whilst Cardiff had let Bristol take the first couple goals of the match, they certainly did not plan on making the rest of the game that easy. Going goal for goal for the majority of the first quarter, the two sides kept the spectators on their toes. Similar to her defensive partner, Grace Durand (GD) turned a ridiculous amount of ball for the team in red. Durand’s arms over pressure paired with co-captain Betsy Thomas’ (WA) through court drives allowed Bristol to swiftly get the ball into Bristol’s resident long-bomb shooter Charlotte Howart (GA). Pushing Bristol into the lead and ending the 1st quarter with a score of 12-9 to the home side.
No changes were made moving into the second quarter from either team. After the whistle blew, Bristol struggled to get the ball to the post. Taking them nine passes from center pass to eventually score a goal. The patient midcourt duo of club captain Chloe Davies (C) and Thomas (WA), reinforced from the strong reset option of Poppy Sawyer (WD), worked endlessly to get the first center pass to goal. The unsettled atmosphere carried on throughout the quarter with the next passage of play consisting of a footwork call against Cardiff followed consecutively by a held ball from Bristol. Neither teams seemed to be able to take control of the game. It became obvious to spectators that whichever city settled first would take the win. With seven minutes left on the clock Ava Featon was subbed in for Howart in the GA position. The next three minutes of play consisted of both teams going goal for goal until Chloe Davies (C) delivered with a flying interception into the oppositions pocket followed by a cracking through court turn over in the middle third, extending Bristol’s lead to a gap of four heading into half time.
Reverting back to their starting seven, Bristol stepped onto the court with fire in their eyes. By the third quarter it was a master class from Bristol’s defence that helped them to continue their lead. Both Huggins (GK) and Durand (GD) smothered Cardiff’s shooting circle giving the shooters not a single centimetre of room to breathe. The circle defenders harmonised beautifully with both Sawyer (WD) and Davies (C) showing their respective Cardiff counterparts who owned the circle edge. The remarkable play from Bristol’s defensive end settled their attackers into a beautiful flow of circle edge feeds into the ever-so strong hold of Tomassoni (GS). The boost from the defence was all Bristol needed to push past Cardiff’s impressive shielding efforts. Ending in 26-32, Bristol set themselves up nicely for the final dance of the last quarter.
Now, the final quarter. Overall Bristol portrayed a convincing performance throughout the final fifteen minutes. Subbing on the ball-winning machine of Maddie Whitfield into (GK), the turn overs kept coming. Bristol’s attack had seemed to truly find their groove and found no problem is taking the ball to goal with ease. Howart (GA) was pinging balls in the back of the net for fun and Davies (C) continued to turn over ball like it was nobody’s business. Ending up with an impress six turnovers throughout the match, Davies is certainly one to watch. Although Cardiff put up a brilliant and entertaining fight it was Bristol that came away with the win and also that well earnt spot at the top of the table.
Post Match Comments
Betsy Thomas, Co-Captain of Bristol 2’s Netball Team
“It was a hard-fought game, but our focus and effort was unmatched and our determination carried us to victory. We showed what we are capable of, and every player gave their all, and it paid off. It was a true team effort that secured the win.”
Grace Durand, Player of the Match
“I am extremely grateful to have been awarded player of the match by our toughest opposition yet. Cardiff fought really hard and gave us a great and intense game. I am really proud of the girls and am looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Chantelle Wopara, Head Coach of Bristol Netball
"The 2s taking on Cardiff 3s was an exciting game to prepare for. With both teams sitting at the top of the table, having won all their previous games it was always going to be a competitive game. The game started nice and close, with both attacking players showing their flare. As the game went on, we demonstrated what we'd been working on in training, and started to show the patience and calmness needed on the ball. As always our defence disrupted lots of Cardiff play, giving us more opportunity to have possession. It was a wonderful, full team effort against a quality side and we look forward to playing the reverse fixture when we play them in the new year."
Top Row (left to right): Grace Durand, Fran Tomassoni, Iris Huggins, Maddie Whitfield, Poppy Sawyer, Amina James
Bottom Row (left to right): Ava Featon, Katie Copping, Chloe Davies, Betsy Thomas, Charlotte Howart, Sabine Newman
Featured image: Ava Featon