Match Reports – 23rd November 2011

November 30th, 2011 | Posted in Articles by Elle Johnson No Comments »

Click here to read the match reports from the 23rd of November 2011…

Portsmouth 1sts vs Kent 1sts
Home or Away: Home
Final Score: Portsmouth 39 – Kent 37
Written by: Emily Edwards

Portsmouth 1sts were raring to play on Wednesday after the huge confidence boost at Hertfordshire the week before. However, Kent are top of the league so we knew it would be a tough match. With an incredibly positive attitude and an obvious desire to win, we stepped on court and worked hard in a difficult first quarter. Both teams were well matched and a physical battle ensued, we managed to turn over a couple of centre passes often thanks to some tight marking from Kelly Fenlon, giving us the lead. However, Kent managed to do the same keeping the score mainly even throughout the first 15 minutes. As the match progressed, the score line reflected the similar level of ability and teamwork in both sides but Portsmouth’s defence were really shining against a very strong attack and every player in defence managed at least two fantastic interceptions to turn over to our attack. Alice Berry and Sally Tibbitts in particular managed to dominate the defensive circle and showcase their now well practised communication within the shooting area! As we neared the final whistle frustrations in the Kent team began to show with unforced errors creeping into their game. Portsmouth were unshaken by this and maintained calm composure under the guidance of Captain Tasha Bond. Nicki Gatland and Nic Elliot proved strong against a tough and persistently aggressive centre position; both managing to get the ball from defense into attack with ease. This was a fantastic win for Portsmouth 1sts and makes the hard work in training really worth while.

Portsmouth 2nds vs Reading 1sts

Home or Away: Home

Final Score: Portsmouth 41 – Reading 35

Written by: Nola Hamilton

The team turned up to play the un-defeated top of the league, at what was a very cold and windswept Langestone. The first time the team had ever played outside and the importance of the game made everyone nervous. After focusing throughout the warm up, the 2nds looked ready and raring to go and take on the extremely tall Reading team. First quarter showed that it would be a very close encounter all game with both sides having equal chances, however Portsmouth went into the break just in front by 2. Good work from the defence securing tips and interceptions meant that possession was for the majority of the 2nd quarter Portsmouth’s. Further good work from the mid court and superb movement of the shooters meant that Portsmouth started to pull away and came into half time with a 4 goal lead. The 1sts came to give their support and were a welcome reassurance from the side line. During the final sections of the game the atmosphere was tense, however the team held there never and played brilliantly demonstrating superb movement down the court and real potential to keep winning games. A massive thank you to all the 1sts who came to watch the game, there support was vital. Coaches player of the match – Sarah Blackmore.

Portsmouth 3rds vs St Mary’s 2nds
Home or Away: Away
Final Score: St. Mary’s 41 – Portsmouth 32
Written by: Morwenna McKenzie

We left Portsmouth on Wednesday morning feeing very positive about the match. Having stocked up on our deli too lunchbags and sat navs all set we left for S.t Marys in Twickenham. When we arrived we were told our warm up was going to be cut and we had to start as soon as possible. Winning the centre pass toss we got onside for the first quarter feeling slightly rushed and unprepared. Despite some brilliant defending on the centre passes from Chloe Taylor and Mel Faux, S.t Marys quickly took the lead in the first quarter and we struggled to find our rhythm. At the end of the first quarter we were 15 goals down. With a good motivational talk from Captain Holly Formstone and Vice captain Corrine Murphy we went back to the court determined to fight for the match. The 2nd quarter saw us settle into a rhythm and allowed us to move the ball more easily down to GS Holly Formstone and GA Kate Stuckey who worked tirelessly around her defence all match. We managed to stop them increasing their lead and with a few changes in defence at half time with Charlotte Knowles coming on at GK and Cathy moving to GD we went all out into the 3rd quarter. Some fantastic defending and some great balls into the circle from Corrine Murphy and Morwenna Mckenzie quickly decreased St. Marys lead. We went into the 4th quarter firing on all cylinders and realised we could potentially steal the win from them. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough and our hard work all match saw us tire in the last 10 minutes allowing St. Marys to keep the lead. Final Score 41-32 to St. Marys. Well played to everyone, we didn’t let our heads drop and we fought for it every second of the match. Player of the match; Holly Formstone.

Portsmouth 4ths vs Brighton 3rds

Home or Away: Away
Final Score: Brighton 43 – Portsmouth 44
Written by: Ellie Ridge

The fourth team match against Brighton started off looking bright with us scoring the first goal on our first centre. But Brighton fought back straight away and goals were alternating throughout the first quarter. Whistle blew on a draw. During the second quarter Brighton pulled away with a 6 goal lead and gained advantage by picking up a lot of the dropped balls from both teams. Pompey fought back in the third quarter and we stood our ground with great holding, interceptions and team work with the defence, both in the D and centre court. This quarter we ended on a one goal lead and with very positive attitude on the sidelines we felt very pumped for the final quarter. The last quarter was extremely intense with defenders, Rosie West and Beth Evans, and shooters Sophie Wright and Rachel Bealing working brilliantly together. We fought so hard and the score alternated between a 1 goal lead to us, to a one goal lead to them. Brilliant interceptions were seen from Tamara Paton, Eloise Long and Megan Gibson. In the last 3 minutes we lost 3 goals to Brighton and we ended the game with 44 – 43 to Brighton.

Portsmouth 5ths vs Brighton 4ths
Home or Away: Away
Final Score:Brighton 40 - Portsmouth 31
Written by: Yasmin Browne

Our match against Brighton 4ths was close from the word go. Portsmouth started the game strong winning the first quarter by 4 goals however in the second quarter Brighton improved their game strategy and managed to pull back their score to only one goal down. Understanding the match was at stake Portsmouth fifths really dug deep in the third and last quarter but it was clearly not enough resulting in a 40-31 win by Brighton. This has been our first BUCS loss and we will not allow this downfall to affect our up and coming games, from this we will aim to improve our game play to bring home yet more wins.

Portsmouth 6ths vs Brunel 5ths
Home or Away: Away
Final Score: Brunel 38 – Portsmouth 28
Written by: Alice Westwell

This week the 6ths travelled to Brunel for another BUCS league match against the Brunel 5th team. We knew it would be a tough game but had heard that the Brunel 5ths did not have a coach, therefore we hoped we could use this to our advantage. The first quarter started with Brunel in the lead but we were determined to win so went into the second quarter with our heads held high, set on getting those goals to put us in the lead. Ruth (GK) and Georgia (GD) worked together effectively in the defensive circle to gain those vital interceptions and rebounds from the Brunel shooters that we needed. All players then worked the ball up the court with Amy Harwood driving it into the shooting circle for both Carly (GA) and Lauren (GS) to finish of by scoring some brilliant goals keeping the score level with Brunel. Going into the third quarter, Portsmouth continued to put pressure on Brunel showing our determination to win. However, the final quarter saw Brunel putting up a strong fight resulting in an unfortunate lost of 38-28. Despite the score this in no way reflected the game and we were all so proud of how everyone played. Player of the match was awarded for Lauren Hyatt for her excellent play and accurate shooting.