News & Events

England complete sweep to defend title

A slow start but England stoked up the engine to deliver a comprehensive defence of their Netball Europe Open title with a 60-30 victory over Scotland in Cardiff.  Wales finished second with the Scots third ahead of Northern Ireland.

England started their final match with more purpose than they had shown in the other two. Vicklyn Joseph had her eye in, during her one and only quarter on court.  The eight-from-eight helped England outscore their hesitant opponents two to one in that 15 minutes, and ultimately in the game.  It was a good opening session with the team machine finally purring after spluttering a bit in the first two games.

It got even better in the second period, won 17-2 by England.  Joseph made way for Harten whose place at GA was filled by Asha Tett, Katy Rose took over at WA. The defence was outstanding, doubling up possession and shooting opportunities for the team with tips and turnovers aplenty.  Scotland’s shooters were starving, forced to survive on just four or five attempts, while Harten and Tett gorged themselves with 17 goals from 21.

Quarter three and another change for England with Camilla Buchanan on at C. The Scots upped their game, no doubt after a few rousing comments from coach Denise Holland, and contested the quarter more than they had managed in the second.  But England kept hold of their advantage, despite allowing their opponents to lift their heads, and kicked on for 14-10 win in that 15 minutes.

In the final period of play there were defensive changes for England, Buchanan moved to WD and Lindsay Keable stuck on the GK bib.  It was another highly accurate session for the shooters as 17 from 18 were put up and put in. Ball began to flow more smoothly through the court, and after a solid start England finished strong.

QUARTER SCORES
Q1: 12-6
Q2: 29-8   (17-2)
Q3: 43-18 (14-10)
Q4: 60-30 (17-12)

England line-up:

GS:    Vicklyn Joseph   Q1: 8/8
GA:  Jo Harten     Q1: 4/5 Q2: 12/15 Q3: 7/8 Q4: 12/13
WA:  Asha Tett
C:    Sascha Corbin
WD:    Serena Guthrie
GD:    Stacie Francis
GK: Eboni Beckford-Chambers

Subs:

Q2: Jo Harten to GS, Asha Tett to GA, Katy Rose to WA
Q3: Camilla Buchanan to C, Serena Guthrie to WD
Q4:Sascha Corbin to C, Camilla Buchanan to WD, Lindsay Keable to GK

http://www.englandnetball.co.uk/news/Current_News.php?articleId=1000

England beat Wales in Netball Europe Opener

England got underway to a bright start establishing a four–one lead in the opening minutes.  Wales responded with four goals of their own and the score moved onto 5 all. After the slight stumble England got into their stride and got the ball flying through the court.  There were some great interceptions in the mid court area and with the quarter whistle they were 15 to 9.

No changes for England at quarter time and the side picked up where they left off by stretching their lead to nine goals in the first five minutes of the quarter.  But then the wheel tried to come off but as the errors slipped into game. Having upped the tempo, England sometime struggled with the speed through the court as the pace almost ran away with them. Wales playing the steadier netball closed the gap back to six goals keeping the pressure on all through the court but England won the quarter 13-11 and the half 28-20.

For the third quarter coach Anna Mayes swapped Camilla Buchanan and Serena Guthrie and the resulting early run of goals from looked to have justified the change.  But England seemed to lose focus and made unforced mistakes, gifting possession to Wales. Shooters Becky James and Cara-lea Moseley had a near faultless quarter converting what they were given and taking Wales to a 15-11 quarter win.  It pulled them back into the game with 15 minutes to play England only led by four at 39-35.

England reverted to the starting line-up for the final quarter. Wales were dogged and pulled back to within 2 goals on several occasions as they continued to score relentlessly from all shooting opportunities. An erratic England backed up moments of superb netball with less impressive and uncharacteristic blunders.  Wales were happy to take the offered possession and turning it into goals.

In the end final surge from England outscoring their opponents seven goals to three saw them home with a win.  It was not always pretty but the team completed the job.

On Saturday England beat Northern Ireland 64-39, a full match report will be posted when it is available. England play Scotland on Sunday at 11am.

GS - Jo Harten         Q1:8-11 Q2: 8-9 Q3: 9-11 Q4: 11-13
GA - Asha Tett         Q1:7-8   Q2: 5-7 Q3: 2-3   Q4:  4-5
WA - Sasha Corbin
C   - Serena Guthrie
WD - Camilla Buchanan
GD - Stacey Francis
GK -Eboni Beckford Chambers

Subs: Monique Wood

Q1: 15-9
Q2: 28-20 (14-11)
Q3: 39-35 (11-15)
Q4: 54-48 (15-13)             

http://www.englandnetball.co.uk/news/Current_News.php?articleId=998

Northern Thunder clash with Hertfordshire Mavericks

Northern Thunder played their last scheduled fixture against Hertfordshire Mavericks, winning 61-39, resulting in the Hatfield based team finishing in fourth place. Play-Off 2 will see the two teams meet again in the next stage of the competition.
Hertfordshire Mavericks will travel north to Castle Leisure Centre in Bury on Friday 30th April to play the 7.30pm match in the hope that they can reverse the previous result. However Northern Thunder are hungry for the opportunity to play in the Grand Final which takes place on May 15th at Nottingham’s Trent FM Arena. Jade Clarke, Northern Thunder’s Centre and Wing Defence said, ‘We’ve worked so hard to get to this stage of the competition and having not finished in the top four last season we’re determined to stake our claim on the trophy and fight for our place in the Grand Final.’
The Co-operative’s Head of Sponsorship, Liz Matkin, commented; “It’s been an action packed season so far and the fight for a place in the Grand Final has been tougher than ever. On behalf of The Co-operative I’d like to wish both teams good luck and well done for getting to the Play-Off rounds.”
The winning team from Play-Off 1, which is between the top two teams in the table, secures a place in the Grand Final. The loser of Play-Off 1will host Play-Off 3 and challenge the winning team from Play-Off 2 for the remaining place in the Grand Final. Play-Off 1 has yet to be confirmed but will be played on Saturday 1st May. Play-Off 3 will take place over the weekend of 7th May with further details confirmed once the teams are determined.
Tickets for Northern Thunder v Hertfordshire Mavericks are now on sale and details can be found at http://www.thundernetball.com. The match will be televised on SKY Sports.

http://www.netballsuperleague.com/news

Surrey Storm challenge last year’s Champions TeamBath

The winning team is guaranteed a place in the Grand Final; taking place on Saturday May 15th at Nottingham’s Trent FM Arena. TeamBath have 26 points, with one game in hand against Glasgow Wildcats which could give them a two point win. Calculations show that it is unlikely that they will be able to secure a higher Goal Average than Surrey Storm which determines the home team, should teams draw on league table points.
Tamsin Greenway, Surrey Storm Captain commented, ‘We’re thrilled to be hosting the Play-Off round and we’ve definitely got our eye on the trophy; we just need to remain focused and confident that we can beat the reigning champions.’
Surrey Storm will be facing TeamBath on court at 6pm, Saturday 1st May and the match will be televised on SKY Sports. Tickets can be purchased via Surrey Storm’s box office, http://www.surreystormnetball.co.uk
The Co-operative’s Head of Sponsorship, Liz Matkin, commented; “This will be a tense match to watch and I wish both teams good luck. It’s been an unpredictable season this year and I can’t wait to see who makes it through to the Grand Final in Nottingham.”
The losing team from Play-Off 1 will host Play-Off 3 and challenge the winning team from Play-Off 2 for the remaining place in the Grand Final. Play-Off 3 will take place over the weekend of 7th May with further details confirmed once the teams are determined.

http://www.netballsuperleague.com/news/surrey-storm-challenge-last-years-champions-teambath

The Co-operative Netball Superleague Grand Final – LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

The confirmation was made following recent discussions between England Netball and SKY Sports. England Netball’s newly appointed Head of Marketing, Joanna Adams commented; “We’re thrilled that the season is going to finish with a live broadcast, and to be going out immediately after the FA Cup Final is fantastic – it’s brilliant to see female sport get a piece of the live action!”

Nottingham Trent FM Arena will host the event on Saturday 15th May and with doors opening at 3.30pm, coverage will start from 4.45pm. It has yet to be determined which two teams will be this year’s finalists.

Liz Matkin, Head of Sponsorship for The Co-operative, said, “We’re delighted that the Co-operative Netball Superleague will be broadcast live this year and the game will closely follow the FA Cup Final.  The league has been extremely competitive this year and with a number of teams battling it out for a place in the Final, we’re proud to be part of the excitement.”

The penultimate 18th Round has begun and Surrey Storm are currently top of the table with one game left to play. They are followed by TeamBath who were due to play their final match at the weekend; however they were unable to travel to play against Glasgow Wildcats due to flight cancellations and the rearranged match has yet to be confirmed. These matches will determine the team’s league positions ahead of the Play-Off rounds.

Following their win over Hertfordshire Mavericks at the weekend, Northern Thunder are now in third place. The two teams played each other in their final match of Round 18 at the weekend, meaning Hertfordshire Mavericks are fourth.

Once the top four teams have completed all of their fixtures the Play-Off matches can be finalised. The team at the top of the table will play at home to the team in position two and this match is due to take place over the first weekend in May. Also that weekend, will be Play-Off 2, which will be the team in position 3 at home against the team in position 4. Both games are to be broadcast on SKY Sports.

The winner of Play-Off 1 secures a place in the Grand Final, whilst the loser goes on to host Play-Off 3 against the winner of Play-Off 2. This match is scheduled to take place over the weekend of 7th May and the winner will go through to the Grand Final.

The Co-operative Netball Superleague Grand Final
Saturday 15th May – Nottingham Trent FM Arena – Doors open 3.30pm – Coverage starts 4.45pm
Adult Tickets £12.50, Concessions £8 with family, group and England Netball member discounts available
For ticket information please visit http://www.netballsuperleague.com

JAGS Camp NOW FULL