Match Reports – 30th November 2011

Click here to read the match reports from the 30th of November 2011…

Portsmouth 1sts vs Swansea 1sts
Home or Away: Away
Final Score: Portsmouth 39 – Swansea 37
Written by: Tasha Bond

This week was our first cup game, which is in the form of a knock out. Unfortunately our first round would take us to Wales, Swansea – a long journey for one game. With this in mind, it was even more important to win – we didn’t want to travel all the way to Wales with a loss! We set out at 7.30am! The earliest some of the girls had woken since starting University. Nicola Elliott and Sally Tibbitts took it in turns to drive the mini-bus – the journey which took a total of 8 hours! Once arriving in Wales, we found the sports centre, and spotted a few celebrities on the way. Nikki Gatland definitely got a bit star struck when seeing an elite swimmer! We began the game strong, with a 5 – 0 start a few minutes into the game. The umpires found the game a difficult pace and struggled to make quick decisions therefore stopping the flow. However, we progressed on through these difficulties and found ourselves winning with a good 5 goal lead at half time. We made changes throughout the progression of the game, mainly in our attacking third, swapping the GS from Becca Sanders to Emily Edwards – both getting half a game. Swansea came out fighting and we struggled to keep the ball out of their attacking third. However, the girls kept fighting and we managed a great win, our first win of the cup rounds. I’m so proud of the hard work and efforts of all the girls, particularly after a long journey!

Portsmouth 2nds vs St Mary’s 1sts
Home or Away: Away
Final Score: Portsmouth 46 – St Mary’s 35
Written by: Katie Nichols

After an eventful journey up to Twickenham, finding ourselves confronted by rowdy protestors, we eventually managed to reach our destination. Although we were fairly confident in our ability and fitness from previous home wins, we were particularly unsure to what the result might be against St. Mary’s. Our sneaky information gatherer Tanya Richardson managed to give the team a heads up on the Centre and GA, which enabled us to get into the aggressive and focused frame of mind. The first quarter was a little stiff, producing silly mistakes. We began to realize we needed to up our game to ensure St. Mary’s did not increase their lead as they were gaining confidence from their home supporters. Captain, Nola Hamilton woke the team up and with a little help from a bit of laughter at the expense of the umpire getting wiped out; we calmed down and fought hard to keep possession. Beautiful passes into the shooting D by Grace Edwards rattled the defense, allowing Courtney Rose and Tanya to shoot with ease. By the 2nd and 3rd quarter we started to increase out lead, after initially being 5 goals down. Great defense work, communicating clearly with each other, Welsh and Louise Wilkins, timed great interceptions and forced rebounds. Lucy Smith worked well with Nola, pressuring and rattling the attacks. After many, almost ‘fights’ with the opposing Centre, the team really pulled together, supporting one another and regaining calmness to pull a well-deserved win out the bag! Well done girls.

Portsmouth 3rds vs Brighton 3rds
Home or Away: Home
Final Score: Portsmouth 46 – Brighton 28
Written by: Polly Essex

Our eagerly anticipated home match against Brighton began with a motivational team talk from Judy, and we went on court determined that if we could win the first quarter then the match would be ours. Some brilliant co-operation and communication between the team saw us lead throughout the first quarter, helped by great interceptions by WD Chloe Taylor and C Morwenna McKenzie. This continued throughout the second quarter where we increased the goal difference further and some excellent shooting from GA Corrine Murphy and GS Holly Formstone took us to half time with a strong lead. More motivational talk at half time sent us back onto court with a positive mind set, and with Polly Essex and Mel Faux coming on as WA and WD we continued to fight to keep the lead. More amazing defence and team work from GD Cathy Nichols and GK Charlotte Knowles led to plenty of turn overs and a quick change before the final quarter saw Kate Stuckey move to GA and Corrine Murphy move to C. Great movement down the court and a tireless effort from WD Mel and GA Kate meant we passed the ball from defence to attack with ease and Holly’s accurate shooting continued throughout the match. Fantastic support from the 4th and 6th team definitely contributed to our outstanding final score of 46-28. Congratulations to Kate Stuckey for receiving player of the match, as well as Charlotte Knowles for coach’s player, and thank you to all who came to support.

Portsmouth 5ths vs Reading 2nds
Home or Away: Away
Final Score: Reading 33- Portsmouth 25
Written by: Hana Blincowe

On Wednesday the 30th of November, the fifth team faced Reading second team in the final game of 2011. All of us were very positive about this game, and raring to go! We started very strong, there were some brilliant interceptions from defence Kate Ashcroft, Rebecca Goddard and Paige Gardner and excellent shooting from Georgia Brett and Steph Mandy. At half time Rosanna Brown joined us after her rather amusing detour!! Reading put up a hard fight and the game was neck and neck. Despite trying to pull ourselves into the lead, Reading worked hard and managed to overtake us. An unfortunate injury for Steph Mandy in the final quarter meant that we had to she had to come off for the remaining few minutes of the match. Unfortunately we lost the match, but we will not let this get our heads down and will push even harder for those wins in the new year!

Portsmouth 6ths vs Royal Holloway 2nds
Home or Away: Away
Final Score: Reading – Portsmouth 26
Written by: Hana Blincowe

Going into the game we were positive as we knew Royal Holloway hadn’t had as much game play as ourselves, and also we had the advantage of being at home and playing inside. We started the game well, and our efforts were evenly matched by Holloway. Interceptions were being made from centre court and defence enabling us to work the ball down court to feed into the shooters. However, we struggled to get the long balls into Lauren Hyatt (GS) as Holloways keeper was tall and intercepted nearly every one. After the first quarter Amy Harwood came on at WA and the balls into the circle improved as both Lauren Hyatt and Carly Hewitt (GA) along with Amy Harwood and Emily Reeves (C) worked the ball well round the circle to get round Holloways defence. The defence were still working hard, with interceptions being made, especially by Georgia Payne (GK) who had an excellent game. At half time the score was close but Holloway was leading, we didn’t let this affect our game and kept our heads up because we knew that the game was not over. The third quarter continued as the second left off, with good defence work and working the ball well down court and around the circle for shooters to get those important goals, but this was matched by Holloway and we struggled to close the lead. The last quarter we attempted to fight for it, but unfortunately Georgia injured herself resulting in a change in the team. Lauren moved to GK, leaving Carly and Amy as shooters and Hannah back on as WA. This affected our confidence slightly as Georgia had been a key player in the game. We fought for the win; however, the game ended with a loss with the score at Portsmouth 27-38 Royal Holloway. Player of the match went to Amy Harwood for her shooting and feeds into the circle.