Netball

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 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 **Denotes re-award

Chosen to represent North Yorkshire:

Connelee Morris.

Results:

v All Saints v St. John's College v Mount St. Mary's Home Home Home Won Won

abandoned (bad weather)

v Worksop v Queen Margaret's v Woodhouse Grove v Scarborough College v Vlth Form College Home Home Away Away Home Lost Won Won Won Won D. M. 19—12 1 6- 6 12— 7

10—14 17— 8 2 6 - 9 16-15 35—14 Westgate

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 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:

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Durham (1st VII) Away Hull High School (1st VII) Away Bootham (1st VII) Pocklington (1st VII) St. John's College Giggleswick (1st VII) Mount St. Mary's Worksop Woodhouse Grove Hymers (1st VII) Scarborough College Ackworth (1st VII) Barnard Castle (1st VII) Home Away Home Away Home Home Away Away Away Home Home Won Lost Lost Won Won Won Won Lost Lost Won Won Won Won 1615112015151216927392414-

3rd VII

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 Durham (2nd VII) v Great Ayton (1st VII) Home Won 22— 1 Home Won 13-10 D. M. Westgate

The U. 16's were very eager to play some matches this year, although usually we do not field a fifth year team.

This team was very impressive, improving with every game they played, and more importantly, enjoying their netball.

They won six out of six matches; an outstanding achievement as most matches were played against U. 18 teams.

The enthusiasm and commitment of this team was second to none, and I am sure many of them will gain 1st or 2nd team places next season.

The following girls represented the U.16 team:

Jayne Tetlow, Rachel Owen-Barnett, Katie Pittman (captain), Hannah Fieldsend, Rachel Hancock, Alexie Zimmerman, Danielle Powley, Lucy Evans.

Results:

v Hull High School v Bootham v St. John's College v Queen Margaret's v Woodhouse Grove v Barnard Castle Away Home Home Home Away Home Won Won Won Won Won Won D. M.

1 3- 7 1 2- 9 19—17 1 1 - 8 16-15 3 4- 1 Westgate

U.15 VII

The U. 15's played thirteen matches, winning eleven and losing two, by only one goal.

This team went from strength to strength, all areas of their game improving as the season progressed. Emma Cox and Rowena Smith hardly missed a goal and their passing in the attacking circle showed skill and polish. The centre court was also strong with Rachel Malster playing her first season in the 'centre' position doing a tremendous job, particularly at spacing out the game.

Sarah Richardson and Danielle Powley shared the wing attack position, as it was difficult to decide who was the better player. Johanna Stevenson had a steadfast season as wing defence and could always be relied upon.

At times the U. 15 defence looked vulnerable but Claire Lawson and Emma Sherbourne worked hard to overcome their weaknesses and by the end of the season played confidently together.

Rowena Smith was an impressive team captain both on and off the netball court. She constantly supported and encouraged her team, boosting morale particularly when the team were losing. This team did have a tendency to become despondent when losing, something they must work to overcome. Fortunately this season they were not behind very often!!

The following girls represented the U.15 VII team: Rowena Smith (captain), Emma Cox, Rachel Malster, Sarah Richardson, Danielle Powley, Johanna Stevenson, Claire Lawson, Emma Sherbourne, Emma Woolley.

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Huntington Hipperholme Bootham Hull High School Pocklington Giggleswick Queen Mary's Mount St. Mary's Worksop Queen Margaret's Hymers Scarborough College Ackworth Away Home Away Away Away Away Away Home Home Home Away Away Home Won Won Won Lost Won Won Won Won Won Won Won Lost Won D. M.

22— 9 13— 3 1 3- 7 16-17 14— 7 1 1 - 8 18— 9 11— 7 2 1 - 12 2 1 - 20 21— 4 13-14 25— 8 Westgate

U.14

Despite losing a few games at the start of the season they knuckled down to hard work and their efforts soon reaped success. They had a well-deserved run of eight wins in the Spring Term which did much for their morale. There were more changes in positions and Olivia Anderson who came in as goal defence grew in confidence and ability with each match. They had particularly good wins against Hull High School and Pocklington with the shooting pair of Jodie Littleboy and Louise Hudson hardly missing a shot. Helen Atkinson was very effective throughout the season as centre, and combined well with Mauricia Hart as wing attack — these two players were selected for the York and District Under 14 Squad. At the end of the Spring Term they played their strongest opposition in Scarborough College and Ackworth — both area champions — and despite losing played extremely well, in particular against Ackworth where the result could have gone either way. Overall the team has shown great improvement and there is much that augurs well for next year.

Results:

v The Mount v Bootham v Hull High School v Huntington v Huntington v Hipperholme v Bootham v Hull High School v Pocklington U.14 B v Pocklington v Giggleswick v Mount St. Mary's

v Worksop v Queen Margaret's v Woodhouse Grove v Hymers v Scarborough College v Ackworth Away Away Home Home Away Home Away Away Away Away Away Home

Home Home Away Away Away Home Lost Won Won Lost Lost Won Won Won Won Won Won

4 - 8 5 - 4 15— 5 4—18 3 - 18 9 - 1 14— 7 1 6- 9 2 0 - 18 1 0- 4 1 7- 7 Abandoned at 7—6 for snow Won Lost Won Won Lost Lost

P. 2 1 - 9 19—28 1 9- 9 2 8 - 11 6—17 15—17 Fletcher