NETBALL 1st VII
2nd VII The 2nd VII had an excellent season playing against many School's 1st teams. They played thirteen matches, winning nine and narrowly losing four. Margaret Wood and Philippa Bundy playing their first season together, made a formidable pairing in the attacking circle. Alison Blair and Cherry Alton also combined well in defence. Tolani Osho, Rachel Smith and Emma Limbert alternated in the centre and wing attack positions, as all were keen to play the matches. Emma Page played wing defence and also captained the team. Her enthusiasm and commitment to the team was a constant source of encouragement and did much to keep morale high. The matches won by this team were all won convincingly, as suggested in the results. The most memorable match of the season was against Hull High School's 1st VII. The two teams were very evenly matched with each team scoring goals from their own centre pass. Unfortunately the final whistle was blown just before Margaret Wood could sink the ball through the net, resulting in a 15-16 defeat. Throughout the season I was impressed by the attitude of this team, who always played with a good spirit and supported each other on and off the court.
The 1st VII have played eight matches this season, not as many as usual, as several schools requested to play our 2nd VII instead (our reputation for being unbeaten last season had gone before us!!). A few major positional changes were made at the beginning of the season. Rachel Henley and Heidi Clark who played so well in the 2nd's last year joined the 1st VII; Emily Strong, our netball captain, moved from goal defence to wing defence position, and improved with every match in her new role; Jessica Ensor came into the team as goal shooter to shoot with Connelee Morris. This was a difficult season for the shooters who battled with tall defensive players in almost every match. However, they persevered, and their determination together with Connelee's agility in the circle, eventually brought the team success. Pip Mortimer with her speed and ability to intercept passes made an excellent centre, and combined well with Heidi Clark whose solid and steady style of play provided a calming effect on the rest of the team. Jenifer Swallow and Rachel Henley also gelled well together in defence, and persistently made life difficult for the opposing shooters. The closest and most keenly contested matches were, as usual, against Worksop, Scarborough College, and Mount St. Mary's, the latter being a match that will stick in everyone's mind for a long time, as it was played in rain, sun, hail and snow, before eventually being abandoned. The Worksop match was the disappointment of the season; again played under severe weather conditions, which St. Peter's found very difficult to contend with. We eventually lost the match by four goals to a team who performed better than us on the day. The Scarborough College match was very tense. Our centre court play was far superior, but Connelee and Jessica were under continuous pressure from two very tall and 'physical' defensive players. The game could have gone either way, but with just seconds to go Jessica scored from the circle edge resulting in a 16-15 win!
The following girls represented the 2nd VII team: Philippa Bundy, Margaret Wood, Emma Page (captain), Rachel Smith, Emma Limbert, Tolani Osho, Alison Blair, Cherry Alton, Katie Pittman, Rachel Owen-Barnett. Results: V Durham (1st VII) Away V Hull High School (1st VII) Away V Bootham (1st VII) Home V Pocklington (1st VII) Away V St. John's College Home V Giggleswick (1st VII) Away V Mount St. Mary's Home V Worksop Home V Woodhouse Grove Away Away V Hymers (1st VII) V Scarborough College Away Home V Ackworth (1st VII) V Barnard Castle (1st VII) Home
The following girls represented the 1st VII team: Emily Strong** (captain), Connelee Morris**, Jessica Ensor*, Jenifer Swallow**, Rachel Henley*, Philippa Mortimer**, Heidi Clark*, Emma Page, Alison Blair, Danielle Powley. °- M Westgate * Denotes Colours
Won Lost Lost Won Won Won Won Lost Lost Won Won Won Won
16--12 15--16 11- -12 20- - 6 15-- 2 15-- 7 12-- 7 16--19 9 - -11 27- - 8 39- -15 24- - 3 14-- 3
**Denotes re-award
3rd VII
Chosen to represent North Yorkshire: Connelee Morris.
Two matches were arranged for a third VII, as so many of our senior girls were keen to play. Many schools find it hard to raise just one team, so it is encouraging when so many girls are not only willing, but also skilful enough to produce a third team. Both matches were won convincingly, against Durham 2nd VII and Great Ayton 1st VII.
Results: v All Saints 19—12 Home Won v St. John's College Home Won 16- 6 12— 7 v Mount St. Mary's Home abandoned (bad weather) v Worksop Home Lost 10—14 v Queen Margaret's 17— 8 Home Won v Woodhouse Grove Away Won 26- 9 v Scarborough College Away Won 16-15 v Vlth Form College Home Won 35—14 D. M. Westgate
Results: v Durham (2nd VII) v Great Ayton (1st VII)
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Won 22— 1 Won 13-10 D. M. Westgate
