 |
| Netball U10 Team 'Blog' |
|
Under 10B v Lambrook Wednesday 30 th March Match CANCELLED Well, that was a shame, the last match of the season cancelled. However, I would like to say that the 'b' team should be pleased with what they have achieved over the last two terms. They have worked hard and each has improved considerably week by week and match by match. Thank you for all your hard work and let's build upon this at the start of September, until then we will work on our sunbathing and our rounders to strive to make similar progress. Under 10A v The Oratory Saturday 26th March Won 13-2 Team: Holly Wright, Zara Anichebe, Lulu Hammond, Maddie Brant, Louise Atherton, Ellie Moore & Amy Rickard We were by far the stronger side on this sunny Saturday afternoon. the team demonstrated good body control and accurate passing. I was pleased to see that timing onto the ball had improved. Unfortunately these lovely skills seemed to deteriorate as we went into the second quarter which is not the way to approach an easy game. Moving too far up or down the court, giving away passes and not chasing the loose ball will not do us any favours. A little bit of thought over half time and a more controlled team came out onto the court. We then witnessed some excellent play throughout the team. for the final quarter all the team changed positions but demonstrated again that their basic skills are good and they can play anywhere on the court. Thank you to all the parents to came to support the team Under 10A V Highfield Wednesday 9th March
Won 11-9 This was a most entertaining game for all to watch and umpire. Highfield have always been tough opponents and there was no change to that today. EH started off extremely well with great focus producing accurate strong passes to players who were moving into space. They kept up the pressure and quickly went into the lead. Our defence were agile and on the ball, making life very difficult for Highfield to gain possession of the ball in the circle. They had a few chances at goal but we were quick to pounce on the rebound and regain control. Our concentration slightly lapsed into the second quarter. A few wild passes, inaccurate shooting and lack of team play all contributed towards allowing our opponents more freedom around the court. Both teams had some great play but also both made silly errors. Highfield put EH under pressure and so this is where we made our mistakes. The third quarter was played in a similar vein with the ball travelling up and down the court at pace, being intercepted and then brought back down. When EH really thought about their passing there were moments of great netball, demonstrating how well they can play. This was a very even quarter, both teams only managing one goal apiece! Highfield had a storming 4th quarter with all players working with drive and determination. They made fast and accurate passes and gave their shooters plenty of opportunities to shoot. The pressure was on as Highfield gradually closed the gap until we had just a one goal lead. It was impressive that these girls all knew the score, unusual for teams of this young age. Both sides were onside swiftly and played with urgency knowing that the clock was ticking down. In the final couple of minutes our shooters calmly popped in a couple of goals giving this team another win. Well done girls, a good game of netball. Please do not panic when under pressure!
Wednesday 9th March U10 B V Highfield Won 5-4 It is difficult to know what to write after the excessive verbosity of last week, although it would be fair and certainly very pleasing to be able to say that this was an improved performance in many ways on last weeks's game. This was a very competitive match with Eagle House perhaps edging the result on their play throughout the afternoon. Highfield marked tightly in all quarters and often stiffled out possession in mid court. Too often we hesitated when an early ball should have been given to our players running into space, and occasionally we were let down by poor and inaccurate passing. We must make sure that we do not hide behind defending players doing a unacceptable versions of the jive or the twist, but rather spin and drive in to lose our player or at least create space behind for others to run into. We must also make sure that we use the full width of the court down one side and then across to open up the 'd'. Our own defensive play was competive and determined with one of many interceptions being Maria's at the start of the last quarter when she timed her run to absolute perfection. Eleanora and Alex defended well throughout generally marking well, although occasionally they did find that a little flick of their (no clips) hair allowed the opposition to work into a position from where they could shoot. Some good interceptions were moved on quickly and successfully, but remember think and take the pass if you see it early. Lucky, Ellis and Eleanor ran throughout the afternoon, defending hard, marking tightly and were talking to each other positively guiding and moving others into the spaces. They did begin to flag a little in the last quarter and this meant that we lost the width we needed. With Ellis and Lucky feeding Kaisey and Emily we created many chances to score and we must convert more. Practice is the name of the game and our shooters must spend time practising both at school and at home. Both our shooters moved well and supported each other positively. To sum up this game if we had played the same Highfield team at the beginning of the season, I would have probably hung my head in shame, and you should be really pleased with the progress that you have made. However, it is only a start and it would be good if we could improve a little in each of our last two games. Once again, I commend the efforts of all eight players from GK to GS. As I have said before, it is a team game and this was a team's success. Wednesday 2nd March U10 A V Eton End Won 15-0 From the first minute of the first quarter, it was very clear that this was not going to be the most competitive of matches. Our girls out classed the opposition with accurate passing, spacing on the court, a very active defense but most importantly great pace and quick decision making. These girls work fabulously as a team, with no one every relaxing or losing focus. After 5 minutes the score was 6-0 so it seemed appropriate for both teams that Eagle House should play out of their usual positions. Those used to being on the attack found themselves restricted to a third of the court in defense and similarly others were suddenly having to negotiate the entire court! The girls certainly relaxed during the remainder of the match and as a result play was a little scrappy in places, yet with a final score of 15-0 from a team not playing in their optimum positions, the girls can only deserve high praise. They are clearly a talented team and thoroughly deserved this win.
Wednesday 2nd March U10 B V Eton End Won 6-3 Gosh, it was cold up there on the barren wastes of Manor field's netball court, and it seemed that it might get a little colder as the north wind blew vindictively across court as the initial minutes of the game passed. Too often we hid behind Eton End's defensive players, rather than getting ball side to receive the ball and then moving the ball forward with width. However, although we gave much possession away very carelessly, ALL our players were equally keen to regain the ball, making fifty-fifty ball ours with greater determination and desire to keep our team in front. Eton End put several attacks together and the score ticked over slowly one way then the other. Alex, Maria and Eleanora were sound at the back and all three regained the ball during the game working hard to the edge of the court to move the ball forward. Kaisey, Eleanor, Lucky and Ellis provided the backbone of the team's success, running and chasing tirelessly, intercepting and marking tightly and when we had the ball moving it up to Kaisey and Emily at the front. Our shooting must be improved as we must make much better use of our opportunities in the opposing 'D' and we must believe that we can shoot and score. It is a matter of taking responsibility. Part of me suggests that a fairer score would have been 5-4 to us, but also part of me feels that there were several moments of excellence when we regained possession, moved the ball quickly and accurately up the sides of the court, before the shot was taken. Such play was warming and most pleasing to watch. I don't like signaling anyone out as this is so much a team game and everybody takes responsibility if we lose and equally everybody takes credit if we succeed, but Kaisey, Emily, Ellis, Eleanor, Eleanora, Lucky, Alex and Maria all deserve a mention for their hard work. All contributed much more than I have seen before to make it a really pleasing game and a most deserved success. All that being said, we still have three games left and we must work hard at what we know was wrong or a weakness. This means that every moment must be used properly during the coaching sessions. Wednesday 16th February U10 A V St Andrews, Pangbourne Won 7 - 5 Team: Maddie Brant, Holly Wright, Zara Anichebe, Lulu Hammond, Issy Edwards, Ellie Moore, Amy Rickard, Louisa Atherton Pangbournes Girl of the Game - Maddie Brant Coaches Girl of the Game - Louisa Atherton A great victory U10's - well done, you kept your cool and held it together even when St Andrews started to come back at you. There were some really good patches of netball throughout this match, and there were also lots of areas that you need to work on. You all need to try and remember to come towards the ball, and not to run away waving your arm in the arm asking for the ball, as you know many of these got intercepted, as some of your passing was not quite strong enough. If you all move "Ball Side" the opposition have no chance of getting the ball. Lots of lovely movement in the center court with Maddie moving into space and making herself available for a pass, and superb defensive work from Louisa who intercepted endless balls thrown into her defending third. Scores were (1st Q) 2 - 0, (2nd Q) 4 - 3, (3rd Q) 5 - 4 and (4th Q) 7 - 5. Thanks to all our supporters on the sideline!
Wednesday 16th February St Andrew’s Pangbourne U10B 2 Eagle House U10B 8 This is the first time for some time that I have seen you play a match and the improvement has been tremendous. We were without Amy who deserved her promotion, but once Emily and Kaisey found their range, we scored well during this shortened game. It was very pleasing to watch Emily’s confidence grow during the game as the ball hit the net, while Kaisey played with speed of thought and foot, finding space as she called for the ball. St Andrew’s defensive play was much sounder than ours as they moved well for the interception, winning much fifty-fifty ball, but we started to move ourselves with much greater fluency with Ellis and Kaisey linking and driving for possession and movement forward. Remember both of you that you need to keep further up field as Mrs Creighton kept on saying, coming back to help defend as your opposing player moves forward. Once we regain possession then all must move away to make space for the run to receive the Ball. Lucky was a mountain at centre winning, gathering and distributing the ball well as Maria and Eleanor usefully collected loose ball. Alex had a much sounder game at the back moving more thoughtfully, seldom allowing her opposite number the space for the pass and often winning the rebound. There were many occasions when we won possession and we moved the ball up field with speed and accuracy with Kaisey, Lucky and Ellis linking well to allow us to keep the scoreboard ticking over. It was good to hear you calling for the ball as you moved into space, and if you see or feel that the pass is on, do not hesitate but make it solidly. Miss Brewster said that you played well during the last outing, but to my mind you all played very well indeed today, competitively and positively in a game that I hope was enjoyed by all those playing and watching. Now we keep working hard for the next match, remembering that only with practice can you continue to improve. U10 Invitational Under 10 Tournament @ Queen Anne’s Saturday 12th February Team: Louisa Atherton ©, Lulu Hammond, Maddie Brant, Zara Anichebe, Ellie Moore, Holly Wright, Amy Rickard and Isabelle Edwards What a wonderful morning of netball! From the outset the girls played with drive and passion ably assisted by some spectacular early goals from Holly. The whole team played with maturity, timing their move onto the ball and giving strong accurate passes. The centre court attack of Maddie and Lulu managed to give Zara and Holly plenty of opportunities to score goals but also moved on and off the circle, giving support when it was needed. The shooting pair gave a great demonstration in scoring goals but as the morning wore on and tiredness crept in, they found it easier to pass the ball to get closer to the post. Louisa was dogged in defence, never giving up in her pursuit of the ball. If there was a loose ball on court, Louisa was the first to sprint and make it hers. If EH lost possession of the ball through slight error, she was determined for the team to regain control. Ellie worked hard in the circle with close marking, making some great interceptions and gaining many a rebound. Amy appeared a little nervous at first as she had jumped into Eleanor’s shoes, but after a few moments she relaxed and demonstrated great movement onto the ball and a fluid and strong onward pass. Isabelle tested her injured ankles with a couple of half games and made life quite difficult for the opposition in the D. As the morning progressed it was quite lovely to see the team develop into an extremely fluid unit, the ball travelling with ease down the court and usually being converted into a goal. The girls faced St. Andrew’s in the semi-final where EH took an early lead but St. A’s came back fighting in the 2nd half to draw level. Shortly before the final whistle, Holly managed to get a couple of quick goals which took this team into the final. The final against St. Ives was hard fought with each team scoring in turn. There were many interceptions at both ends, but neither team gave up and fought for possession. At the final whistle the score was 2-2 so extra time of two minutes each way was called. EH rose to the challenge and scored early but St. Ives answered with a beautiful goal in the second half. The result was a draw 3-3 and the fairest decision was to share the trophy between these two talented teams.
Played 5 Won 5 Bishopsgate 3-1 Lambrook 10-3 Rupert House 4-0 The Manor 6-1 St. Piran’s 8-3 Semi-Final v St. Andrew’s Won 5-3 Final v St. Ives Full time Draw 2-2 Extra time 3-3
Well done girls, thoroughly deserved! Thank you to all the parents for their fantastic support from the sidelines and their post-match assistance.
Wednesday 9th February Under 10 A won 12-0 v Yateley Manor
Well done girls - an excellent match! Score=8-0 Miss Brewster Wednesday 2nd February U10B v Bishopsgate Won 13-1 Team: Kaisey, Emily Louisa, Amy, Ellis, Alex, Lucky, Nellie, Maria Girl of the Game: Amy The U10 B’s had a convincing win over Bishopsgate, with a half time score of 7-1, and a final score 13-1. The girls had an excellent game, with great teamwork, moving and passing of the ball to cover the court and gain better positions. Kaisey did a fantastic job captaining the team, organising the warm up and winning the toss! Woman of the match went to Amy for her incredible goal shooting from all distances. Lucky worked well as centre, assisting to pass the ball to her shooters once they were closer to the goal and also with Ellis to swiftly move the ball up the court. It was a wonderful game played by all girls, so they should all be very proud. Well done!
Wednesday 2nd February U10 A v Bishopsgate. Won 13-4 Team: Louisa, Holly, Maddie, Eleanor, Zara, Ellie, Isabelle Girl of Game: Zara The girls benefited from a long warm up in which they worked well as a team to prepare fully themselves for the match. This really helped and they took control from the first whistle, ending the first quarter 4-2. After a team talk from the captain, the girls agreed to work on driving on to the ball in the next quarter. This really helped and by half time they were 6-2 up. Holly worked really hard at holding her space, and once she had found her eye the goals kept slotting in. Maddie was the engine room at Centre, running tirelessly to link up defence to attack, helped by Eleanor who made some excellent dodges. I was also very impressed with Louisa’s interceptions at GD, but really it was a good team performance with everybody contributing positively and enthusiastically. Final score was a well deserved 13-4. Well done girls! Mrs Grillo (Thank you to Mrs Grillo for umpiring the match - very kind) (PS This was a good result after losing to them last term and you should be pleased with the progress that you have all made - now keep working hard to build upon this) Saturday 22nd January 2011 U10A v Woodley NC Won 14 - 7 Girl of the Game - Zara Anichebe Team: Holly Wright, Zara Anichebe, Maddie Brant, Lulu Hammond, Louisa Atherton, Isabelle Edwards, Eleanor Sherlock A storming game girls, well done, and most definitely well deserved. Woodley were always going to be tough opposition but you took control of the game from the first 1/4 (3 - 0) and then never looked back. Outstanding defence by Louisa made it very tricky for Woodley to feed the shooters in the circle and Zara and Holly moved the ball in and out until they got into a good shooting position. I am sorry Ii couldn't watch all your game girls as I expect it was wonderful to watch! Thank you to all the Mums and Dads on the sideline for your continued support and for coming to watch on a very chilly Saturday afternoon!
Wednesday 17th November V Eton End Won 21 - 2 Team: Holly Wright, Zara Anichebe, Lulu Hammond, Maddie Brant, Izzy Edwards, Louisa Atherton, Eleanor Sherlock Girl of the Game: Zara Anichebe Coaches player of the game - Louisa Atherton Fantastic performance girls - well done. The movement on the court, the driving towards the ball, the rotation in the circle all seemed together beautifully and individually you all outplayed the opposition. Amazing performance from our defence, especially Louisa, as Eton End struggled to get the ball into their attacking circle. One thing you do need to work on is your passing on the move, as you tend to topple over and throw a ball at someones knees rather than a strong pass into someone hands. It was a pleasure to take you today girls - well done, and thanks to all our supporters.
Wednesday 13th October V Hall Grove Won: 18-5 Team: Holly Wright, Zara Anichebe, Lulu Hammond, Maddie Brant, Izzy Edwards, Louisa Atherton, Eleanor Sherlock, Kaisey Tyler Girl of the Game: Maddie Brant Another good win for the U10A team. They were very much the stronger side and although they allowed Hall Grove to score first they soon took control of the game. The first quarter was probably their best. They linked passes smoothly and marked well in defense. There was also some excellent shooting from Holly and Zara. However, as the game progressed I feel that we did not always play as well as we could. We often found ourselves running backwards for a pass rather than attacking the ball, this meant that we relied on height rather than skill. I do not usually coach this team. It was therefore great to see how much they have improved since last year and what great potential they have. Well done girls. LSP Wednesday 6th October 2010 V U10 A V Yateley Manor Won 22 - 7 Team: Holly Wright, Zara Anichebe, Lulu Hammond, Maddie Brant, Izzy Edwards, Louisa Atherton, Eleanor Sherlock, Kaisey Tyler Girl of the Game: Holly Wright What an incredible performance girls - well done to all of you, it was lovely to watch you play. Eagle House dominated the game from the very first whistle, and we never looked back. Our one big advantage is that we have two very tall shooters which always makes it easy to feed into the circle, so we do need to practice "popping" in and out and rotating inside, so that when we do come across some tall opposition we are ready for them. Our defensive unit proved to be very strong, and often made an interception inside the goal third, before it got anywhere near the circle - so well done to all of you. Once we made the interception, our turn arounds were very quick and we moved the ball very fast (sometimes tooooo fast!!!), and this often created a sloppy pass at someones knees rather than into their hands, however we zipped the ball across court and used a lot of court space - which was wonderful to see. A special mention to Holly, who not only had an awesome game, but also earned herself a double star for being such a great help to me on match day! Well done girls, and good luck for Saturday, i am sure you will have a good day if you play like you did against Yateley.
U10 A’s Netball Tournament The Marist Senior School, Sunninghill Wednesday 22nd Sept Results: Placed 3rd Eagle House v Bishopgate Lost 2-1 V Eton End Win 3-0 V Hoe Bridge Lost 3-1 V St Georges, Windsor Draw 2-2 V Highfield Draw 1-1 V Marist Win 1-0 V Whitegrove Win 1-0 V St Michaels Win 3-0
On Wednesday 22nd, Eagle House’ year 5 and 6 girls travelled to the Marist for a Netball Tournament. The Year 5 A team played a total of 8 games, they showed great teamwork, confidence and skill in all their games. The schools involved were as equally strong but the girls pushed for some great results. Holly and Zara were fabulous in goal, they had great movement with the ball and their passes in the ‘D’. Louisa, new to the team worked well in all positions offered to her and her confidence grew as the day went on. Maddie in centre was quick on the ball and just as equally quick on her feet up and the court with Lulu and Eleanor. Our defence became more stronger throughout the day, Isabelle and Ellie showed much effort to retrieve the ball and stick to their opposition. Overall, a great effort from the U10’s they improved as a team and in their confidence. The effort they put into each game was superb and thoroughly enjoyable to watch. Thank you girls and thank you parents for your support throughout the afternoon.
15th September 2010 vs The Marist Won 22-1 What a fantastic start to the season! The late start time enabled the girls to have plenty of time to work on their skills before the match and therefore they were certainly well prepared and warmed up for the opposition. This season the girls are playing 7-a-side netball for the first time in Wednesday matches and they are not required to rotate positions each quarter. Playing against the U11s for 30mins allowed them to think about the different roles their positions required and some important lessons were learned during this time that were used very effectively during the match. Passes were quick and accurate, spaces were saught and the girls were playing as a team from the start, rather than a group of individuals all desperate for the ball (as was seen only a week earlier). With a final score such as this, particular mention must go to Holly (GS) and Zara (GA) as clearly their shooting abilities cannot be questioned. This is certainly a great way to start the season but the girls should not sit back and relax just yet - there is still plenty to develop. Footwork needs to be tightened up in some areas and now the children start to play more regularly in certain positions they can develop a far greater understanding of their role as part of the team and how best to play in a wider range of situations. |
