Final Score: Eagles 20 v Finch 7 (W)
The girls were a little nervous but mostly excited going into their first match of the season after the long summer break. Some of the girls were in different positions than last season, nevertheless they still gave it everything playing at 100%. First up this season was Finchampstead at the very nice sports centre at St Neots school. The girls got off to a good start, gaining an early lead and ended the first quarter 7-2 ahead.
Final Score: Eagles 46 v Wokingham 21 (W)
Eagles had a great start to the season at the BPNL netball league yesterday.
Their first match of the season was against Wokingham 3. Wokingham started strongly and by the end of the first quarter eagles were just slightly ahead by 3 goals. A dominant second quarter saw Farah and Charlotte B defending hard and provided eagles with a greater lead.
But there was no complacency as Wokingham were frightening strong. The goals kept flying in from Emilie and Charlotte j-e.Speed was crucial as the centre court players smoothly fed the ball down the court.
With a convincing final score of 46-21 to Eagles, it was a promising ad encouraging start to the season.
Tense start sees interceptions from Helena and Marta and equally from Royals. It’s Royals that get it together first and score 2 great long-range shots. Eagles take time to settle, losing possession by launching the ball forwards and missing long-range shots. Royals go 3 up without reply but Eagles defence keep them in it and an interception on 7 minutes see the first score. Royals respond making it 4 and it takes another Helena intercept and a great shot from Maddi close it out 4-2 Royals.
The sound of Neil calling “Stop Launching” rings across the court; 5 times in the opening 3 minutes Eagles get the ball into the D only to see it go behind. Eagles are passing well, 3 fast moves and 3 scores take Eagles into the lead on 6 minutes for the first time. Royals come back immediately, then they’ve scored 4 without reply as Helena, who has done a stunning job in defence falls badly and has to go off injured. Priya leaps up to take her place. Eagles are playing well but are forced to shot from distance and it’s just not gong our way today. 9–6 Royals.
More changes of position and players as we try to respond to Royals who score 3 in 2 minutes, then it’s 5 in 4 minutes without reply and Royals have the upper hand. A long shot from Charlotte comes off to get Eagles on the score sheet; we have to get closer and Maddie does with 2 goals in quick succession. Royals aren’t done and they take their chances in the closing couple of minutes as ours go wide. It’s 17-10 and the girls have a mountain to climb in the last quarter.
Fresh legs in the form of Izzy and Tabitha gives us a boost but Royals again make a fast start with 2 goals in 2 minutes. Charlotte response and the intercepts start to come. The chances are there, shots hit the rim, one sits there for an age then drops in…it’s all Eagles now with some great passing but it’s too late and despite a good quarter the game ends in defeat for Eagles 21-13. Royals converted their opportunities on a day when finger tips made the difference.
Maddi was deservedly chosen as our player of the match, having played 4 different positions. Whilst we choose their excellent Goal Shooter. Well done Royals on an undefeated season. Well done Eagles on a great season too.
Final Score: Eagles 49 v Magnet 7
Our Eagles U12 girls had a great match this morning against Magnets, the final league match of the season. There was a full turn out from the girls again with some great periods of play, excellent passing, efficient defending and shooting resulting in a well deserved win.
The U12 team are therefore unbeaten and winners of the Berkshire league for the second year running, having scored over 400 goals this season.
Well done to all our girls who have consistently come along to training every Friday and to matches on Sundays. Every single one of you has played a major part towards this success.
Thank you also to Neil and Maria and all the coaching staff for all your hard work and support over this season.
Thank you to all our parents and siblings who consistently come along to matches to support and transport and help with scoring and timing.
We look forward to lots of tournaments after Easter!
In the most thrilling game of the 2016/17 season, Eagles put on a spectacular performance against unbeaten Sussex Storm.
Eagles were determined to give their rivals a run for their money from the first whistle. Both sides took a few minutes to find their feet but the game got more ferocious towards the end of the first quarter. Eagles were behind by just two goals.
The second quarter was pivotal for Eagles. The dynamic changed in both attack and defence which led to Eagles clawing their way back to a draw by the end of the first half.
During the third quarter both sides relentlessly kept up their speed and flair of netball. This was a battle and Eagles knew every goal, turnover or unforced error counted. After 45 minutes, Eagles were back to being two goals down. However, they’d already proved they could turn the game around and went into the last 15 minutes in positive spirits.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly ramped up a gear. Every minute counted and there were screams of jubilation by both teams who were fighting hard to come out on top. At one point, Eagles were two goals ahead which rattled their rivals and created palpable tension. Eagles were pipped to the post though and ended up losing by just one goal. However it was a fantastic squad performance and some of the best netball Eagles had played all season.
Final score: 48-47. MVP was captain, Kat Butler, with an incredible 60 minutes at C.
Eagles have now well and truly secured their place at playoffs which will be held in the East Midlands in May. If they make it through, they will compete in National Mizuno Premier League 3. Good luck!
The U16’s put on a great performance for the last match of the season. The team were relentless in their desire to maintain their unbeaten record this season and everyone worked hard throughout.
The whole squad have played their part during the course of this season and can be proud of what they have achieved. Emilie, Katie and Izzy all from the U14’s completed the squad for this game and played extremely well.
Player of the match was Libby. Fantastic game and looking forward to Nationals. Well done everyone.
Match Report by: Farrah Wayman
On a very wet morning the girls gathered for this critical penultimate match of the season, knowing that a win today would set up a season decider against Royals in two weeks time. The whole squad was there, knowing that they wouldn’t all play but there as part of the team none the less.
Woodley got off to the better start. Fast fluid passes caught Eagles on the hop and 2 goals in under a minute put the girls on the back foot from the off.
The pace was frantic and as the girls woke up and started to make interceptions they found their form, scoring 4 goals without reply and the quarter ended 5-4 Eagles.
Neil was his usual gentle self in the break and the girls came out more awake and more focused for quarter 2. The frantic pace continued and so did the interceptions but Eagles could not capitalise on the turnovers fue to feeding in wild final balls into the D unable to be caught by our shooters. This meant that what could have been a 10 or 15 goal lead at half time was only 11 – 6 Eagles.
The girls were working really hard in a very competitive match. Eagles got off to the faster start in the third but there were signs that both sides were starting to tire and then Maddi who has covered every inch of the court (twice) had to go off with injured fingers. The quarter ended with Eagles taking a couple of late chances to be ahead, 16 – 9.
Final quarter and Woodley were still too close for comfort. The play was end to end with both teams making errors with poor passing and 4 minutes into the quarter only 1 goal had been scored.
Then the dam breaks and we have 4 goals in 90 seconds, two for each side. The end to end play continues, Woodley drew level for the quarter, Eagles respond to go ahead, Woodley come back again…Marta intercepts and it’s down the court to Helena, to Oona, to Charlotte…she’s a long way out but takes the shot and it’s in. The clock ticks down and Eagles win the match 22 – 13, the score not reflecting the closeness of the tie.
Charlotte Coates was awarded player of the match for Eagles after some great shooting and the Woodley Centre was recognised by Eagles.
Well done girls…all eyes turn now to the crunch match in two weeks time.
Thank you so much to Ian Thomas for the brilliant match report!!
Teams that play together….shop together apparently!!!
Today we had our last match against Matrix at home where we were looking forward to a tough match against the 2nd team in our division.
We had a slow first quarter where matrix took a quick lead with their determination to beat us but the team managed to fight back and end the first quarter 12-11 to Eagles.
In the 2nd quarter we had some fresh legs. Our strong determined defence managed to intercept and put a lot of pressure onto Matrix. Alongside our quick attack we managed to widen our lead. There were some great feeding into the circle and brilliant shooting. At the end of half time Eagles led 29-22.
We had an amazing 3rd quarter with Matrix only scoring half the number of our goals. Eagles kept up the pace and pressure into the 4th securing a 58-45 win.
It was a great win for the team and means we finish top of the U14 South Regional League. Well Played to all the girls who played in this match and all of the games that helped us get through to the Nationals. It’s an amazing achievement, we should all be proud of ourselves. Player of the match deservedly goes to Libby for her brilliant shooting and dominant play. We all cannot wait for tournament season and then nationals, here we come !!
Match report by Maria Maier
Having already qualified for the Nationals as South region champions, you would have thought that we would have relaxed slightly, in our penultimate league game.
However, this wasn’t the case. With the squad slightly depleted in numbers, 8 in all, we produced some fantastic netball dominating each quarter with excellent defence work, super centre court movement and outstanding shooting. This brilliant teamwork led to an overwhelming victory against Trinity, 84-32 with players of the match: Libby and Charlotte.
Match report by Jaz and Jemma Nightingale
Our penultimate league match of the season was away against Woodley. We were anticipating a tough match as a defeat for Woodley could end their qualification hopes to the National Finals.
It was a pacey start to the game with Woodley coming out strong and eager to give us a good game. The team worked hard, took control and established a comfortable early lead finishing the first quarter 8-18.
Woodley kept the pressure on and came back hard after the break. Due to a number of unforced errors and injuries disrupting play, the second quarter was scrappy and we lost control and composure at times.
Heading into the second half of the game with a 12 goal advantage, Eagles continued to show great teamwork in the circle defence. Mid court maintained the pressure and fought hard. A great team effort across all areas of the court proved dominant. Woodley shooters performed well making many long range shots but this wasn’t enough to stop us extending our lead.
After a physical final quarter and a valiant effort by Woodley, we came away with a solid win and a final score of 32-58. Today’s win not only means we will finish top of the league this season but have also secured our place at the National Finals. Well done team. #thesegirlscan
We are very much looking forward to our last league game next week against Team Matrix.
Congratulations to Maisie who was deservedly voted Player of the Match.
Match Report by Madi L-J
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