Match Report
England Netball
England Netball
Jets finally take-off as Northumbria crash to defeat in Hull
The FIAT Netball Superleague 2012. Expecting the unexpected, predicting the unpredictable and the only certainty this year is that nothing is certain. Roll up, roll up to the fun fair that is the most enthralling start to a domestic campaign in recent memory. Round 3 concluded with a fascinating match between pre-tournament dark horses the Yorkshire Jets and previous plucky losers, Team Northumbria. However, before last night’s contest it was the visitors who were sitting above their opponents in the league table with the hosts yet to record a win this season. An edge of your seat match ensued with Jets racing into a comfortable advantage only for Northumbria to resiliently fight back in the second half and almost cause a fantastic upset, another early contender for game of the season.
This match was not necessarily about fluency or world class skill but passion and determination were on display in abundance, chuck in a phenomenally raucous crowd and the stage was set. It was a fierce opening between the teams as Jacqui Russell and Darcie Worsdale fought for the ball in the mid court with an almighty clash, which rather set the tone. The intensity was almost as high as the volume in a packed Bonus Arena as the sides exchanged scores early with the ever dangerous Toetsie Kambatuku scoring freely for the visitors and Rachel Shaw combining well with attacking partner Jo Walker to keep the hosts level. There was a lot of early turnover action with the Jets defence in particularly sparkling form, the experienced head of Jo McKinney combining well with the exuberance of 19 year-old Lauren Potter. Ten minutes in and the home side started to convert the chances created by the defensive pressure as they moved into a 6-3 lead. The mid-court started to connect and the passing through court was getting quicker and quicker as Russel linked well with Natalie Panagarry to move Jets further clear, a dominant end to the quarter saw Anna Carter’s side finish with an 18-8 advantage.
The second quarter started in spectacular fashion as Toetsie produced a masterful display of shooting, managing to score from virtually behind the post while off balance. An ever-buoyant crowd rose to their feet in appreciation. With turnover ball secured after hard work in the mid-court from Emma Woodings and Claire Brown, the visitors had a chance to score three in a row and help to drastically reduce their deficit but poor decision making led to a misplaced pass and the chance was gone. Lisa Stanley’s side were showing as much determination as their opponents but the attacking play was lacking the incisiveness of the hosts. Neither side seemed to control the second quarter with defences once again coming out on top, and Northumbria captain Sam Holt showing her trademark passion and claiming a number of intercepts. When things aren’t working out for you, luck tends to steer clear also and this was certainly the case for Northumbria who were working relentlessly but every tip or 50/50 seemed to find Jets’ hands. Seizing the advantage, the hosts moved 13 goals clear and into a commanding 28-15 lead. With the energetic home support behind them, Jets continued to press, a good intercept and drive from Rachel Forbes highlighting the dominance. The quarter ended as it had started with more outrageous work from a shooter, this time from Walker. The ball was heading out of court before the Jets attacker juggled possession around the back of the post to re-claim and get the contact call from the umpire. Shaw finished and at the interval the score was 31-16 in the Jets’ favour.
If the first half belonged to the hosts, the second was firmly that of the visitors. An astonishing third quarter saw Northumbria pull themselves right back into the game. Quick work from the first whistle saw them convert turnovers and apply early pressure to a notoriously nervous Jets side. It wasn’t full throttle stuff but little by little the Jets lead was eroded as Holt marshalled her team with the help of Jade Johnson who had replaced Sarah Penny and joined her captain in defence. The tension was palpable in the stands too, as the home fans quietened and a noisy section of travelling support took over chanting duties. It was also obvious on court as Walker was called for dissent on a couple of occasions, the ball being advanced as Jets started to lose their cool slightly. A long range effort from newly introduced Holly Pearce had the home fans roaring again as they cheered on every goal in an attempt to refocus and encourage their side. At the end of the third, Northumbria were trailing by just seven, 38-31 down and their early profligacy set to come back and haunt them.
A grandstand finish had been set-up and this would be a great test of both sides' mental strength. Jets have notoriously switched off in matches before but they would need to get back into the game or risk losing a match they had previously controlled. Northumbria were showing a great deal of heart and displaying the promise that previous matches this season had suggested. Toetsie missed the opening chance of the quarter with Potter grabbing the rebound and with a Jets conversion from the turnover and a quick score from their centre pass, the hosts finally looked like killing the game off. It was not to be though as the visitors came flooding back with turnovers of their own, both sets of fans now creating an electric atmosphere in Hull. Each defence was working overtime as the brilliance of Holt at one end was only over shadowed by the excellence of Potter at the other; the England youngster was dominating the circle and made countless intercepts in the final fifteen minutes. Unfortunately, for the away fans, the clock was running down too quickly and with the attack struggling to penetrate the stubborn hosts defence. Jets clung on for their first win of the season, to the delight of the majority in attendance.
Starting Line-Ups:
Yorkshire Jets: GS - Walker, GA - Shaw, WA - Panagarry, C - Russell, WD - Forbes, GD - McKinney, GK - Potter. Bench: Pearce, Paynter, McDermott, Thomas, Haythornthwaite
Team Northumbria: GS - Kambatuku, GA - Worsdale, WA - Ewing, C - Burgess, WD - Woodings, GD - Penny, GK - Holt. Bench: Guy, Kennedy, Johnson, Cameron, Brown
Shooting Stats:
Yorkshire Jets: Walker: 24/34 - 71%, Shaw: 20/28 - 71%, Pearce: 2/3 - 67%, Team: 46/65 - 71%
Team Northumbria: Toetsie: 30/42 - 71%, Worsdale: 11/13 - 85%, Ewing: 1/2 - 50%, Team: 42/57 - 74%
Umpires: Ian Fuller and Kate Wilcox with Jackie Mizon as reserve