As I write this blog, it is less then one hour since the end of the first team game against Wanganui Girls School and if you don’t mind I shall start this blog from there and go backwards…… indeed it is tempting just to start with the last 20 seconds of the game and give you an accurate account of just that. Unfortunately that would do no justice to the previous 3 hours on entertainment.
After a good warm up the Spitfires came out of the traps or should that be starting blocks brilliantly. 6 – 6 neck and neck, nip and tuck . . became 6 – 9 at the end of the first quarter. Things didn’t change much in the second as the lead stretched to 9. All were playing well but we were not making the most of the possession we had or indeed worked hard to get and coupled with their hot shot shooter we went down 11 – 20. Then in the early stages of the third quarter sitting in the stands with the Hurricanes and Sopwiths, I could smell something in the air – no it was not Georgia’s deodorant or Sophie’s nail varnish – it was the smell of victory . . . the RGS girls were closing the gap. The defence were intercepting more and the C / WA / GA combo of Holly Naomi and Fran was electric – coupled with Elle scoring every time the score at the third quarter was 20 – 24. The Wanganui side just could not handle the pressure and so it continued in the final 10 minutes of the game. We clawed our way back to 24 a piece and then went 24 – 26 down but still Fran / Naomi / Holly controlled the D and when right fed it in and scored. . . . with tears now streaming down our eyes and screams of encouragement from the stands – both from the RGS girls and the Wanganui supporters we witnessed some of the most exciting Netball you will ever see . . . forget Team Bath vs Leeds Carngie .. remember RGS vs Wanganui . . . we got ‘em to 26 – 26 and we were inside the last minute . . . we had ‘em at 27 – 26 with 20 seconds to go and we were screaming POTATO SALAD . . keep the ball – just keep possession. They had the centre pass scored to make it 27 – 27 and then with one second left the ball fomr the Wanganui GS lifted over the ring of the goal and dropped in just and the hooter went. Tears of sadness – hell no – tears of joy that we had come so far and had pushed these U.18’s – sorry I forgot to tell you this was their first team – an U.18 team….. and we pushed them to the limit. What a game – ALL who witnessed or indeed who played in it will remember it for a long time to come. What a game !!
The rest of the day that proceeded that event was as exciting just not as heart throbbing . . . we picked up the girls and all dived into a coffee shop for some R&R time. Returned back to the school to get used to the Sports Hall. The Sopwiths warmed up very well and then cooled down as we were asked to partake in a Maori ritual very similar to the one of a previous night. Maori chant – we process in behind JMS and CMD / FW . . . . welcoming song and speech followed by returning song and JMS speech then JMS handing over of gifts in the Maori fashion – I was getting good at this – RADA watch out . . .
Then we went into action with the Sophie’s Sopwiths . . . what a start . . .for the first time on tour we began competitively from the start. The example to all was set by captain’s Sophie and Lizzie. Lizzie tactically was to be subbed at the end of the first quarter with clear instructions to drain herself in 10 minutes and then get on for the rest of the game. She was playing out of her skins – she didn’t have them on in fact. Hot shot Anne-Marie was missing nothing and indeed getting rebounds. Sophie was driving herself to her physical limits. With two minutes to the end of the quarter she signalled to the bench that she was going to be sick. Hang in there girls was the call – you can do it. . . sure enough she played on like the courageous girls she is turning out to be. End of the first quarter and both Sophie and Lizzie were off and the score 6 – 7 down. The second quarter saw Becci help us and with both Katie’s on at the back we tried desperately to hold on. The score got away from us a little and we were down by 4 at half time. Much the same story in the third quarter except that we played all our big girls up front and it looked good. Katie Reynolds took charge of the Centre and the dynamic Lizzie, still playing out of her skins went to WA and Gabby and Anne-Marie still scoring at will. The gap stayed at 4 and we held our own. Jess and Lizzie were intercepting nearly everything and Sophie with renewed spirit was becoming a great GK leader. There were times where the play was electric and both FW and JMS just bowed our arms in worship to the girls . . . one such goal by Anne-Marie just had us in awe . . so we bowed and then to our delight heard Anne-Marie cry ‘Go Worcester’ – it was a delightful moment especially for those who have yet to see Anne-Marie come out of her shell. The Sopwiths new found spirit and commitment saw them fight to the end but unfortunately run out defeated by 6 . . the score 18 – 24. But it had set the scene and standard for the rest to follow.
The Hurricanes still high on their magnificent performance against the tough Auckland girls warmed up very aggressively and looked the part. Shooters Lian and Becci took little time getting their range and movement – Lian was finding acres of space deep down court. Georgia had lost none of her rasamataz. The omens were good. Like the Sopwiths end of first quarter –nothing in it 5 -6 down. Second quarter changes seemed to take time to work and with Ella and Jane dominating both the vocal and defensive parts of the game, the movement into the D was getting scratchy and not as effective as before. Wanganui moved to be ahead by 5, which then went to 7 by the end of the third quarter. The fluidity was just not there – and to be confirmed later neither was the response from the crowd – it all was too quiet, certainly for a game of Volleyball – sorry Netball !! We fought and played to the end but in the end the result was fair 13 – 24 . . . and the players on both sides knew that they had been in a contest worthy of the name. Well tried Hurricanes – we’re getting there.
Then the world turned purple . . . . and we’re back to the start . . .
20 seconds from glory . . . 1 second from a dream . . and still Fran W is smiling !!
Tears of joy at defeat – what a game – not seen the like since . . . . ever.
No comments:
Post a Comment