Division Two CAFE

OASIS B 14 NEW IMAGE 50

NEW Image enjoyed a comprehensive victory over Oasis.

Whilst New Image were finding their feet, the first few minutes were very evenly matched.

However, strong command and passes from New Image centre Zoe Fowler ensured the ball reached the shooters with ease.

Despite a monumental effort from Oasis defenders Ella Guant and Chloe Calton, New Image stole a lead of 12 after the first quarter.

New Image goal-shooter Sam Shrewbridge became more accurate as the game progressed and helped her team extend their lead to 18 by the end of the first half.

Despite strong centre-court play from Oasis’ Juliette Frampton and Beth McSevney, they couldn’t match New Image’s standard of play.

New Image wing-defence Zoe-Ann White effectively cut Oasis’ wing-attack out of the game.

After a team change, New Image goal-keeper Christine Jones switched to goal-shooter and continued to keep the momentum and her side ended the game with a considerable lead.

OTC 17 BENNETTS 36

BENNETTS were deserved winners as they claimed the points against OTC.

Bennetts took an early lead with OTC never far behind.

OTC kept up their solid passing down the court and made some well-timed interceptions.

Bennetts’ goal-shooter Sam Rees used her height to her advantage and her accuracy helped Bennetts take a lead of three by the end of the first half.

OTC’s Diane Hartley and Leah Mitchell defended well but Ben-netts still dominated the court and only conceded one goal in the third quarter.

Bennetts’ defenders Lyndsey Pollard and Zoe McKuska came into their own in the second half preventing OTC from getting to the goal.

ROYAL EXCHANGE 43 WJNC 38

EVEN though Royal Exchange were down by one player they still bagged the honours.

The Juniors took an early, narrow lead with good play from Jess Pomeroy and Dani Beals.

Some spectacular shooting from both teams kept the scores neck-and-neck and, at the end of first half, it was 18-all.

Royal Exchange defenders Abi Donford and Gilly Woodsford allowed their side to take a narrow lead by keeping the Junior shooters to the edge of the circle.

The Exchange came into their own during the final quarter – good attack from Nicola Spry and Catherine Simmons meant that they gained a lead of five by the end of the match.

BENNETTS 27 BAY FENCING 33

BAY Fencing edged this tight contest top claim the spoils.

A very even start to the match saw an almost goal for goal first quarter with Bay’s goal-attack Charlotte Reid scoring multiple goals from the edge of the circle.

The second period remained even – however, Bennetts began to struggle midway through the quarter, not helped by having a missing player and Bay gained a lead of seven goals.

Bay’s increased lead re-invigorated Bennetts who returned to court as if it was the first quarter, determined to catch up with Bay.

Bennetts’ centre Sarah Garman worked hard to intercept every pass and provide a passing option every time her team had the ball.

Both teams kept fighting until the end – however, Bay managed to maintain a lead of six by the final whistle.

BENNETTS 40 OTC 20

A DOMINANT third quarter display proved the difference as Bennetts ran out comfortable winners against OTC.

In what started off as an even encounter, it was OTC’s Ali Caller and Emma Mills who capitalised on an energetic start, giving the away side a first-quarter lead.

With Bennetts trailing, Sam Rees was sharp with her re-bounds to turn the match on its head and give the home side the lead for the first time.

It was all to play for, but the third quarter saw a sequence of tactical changes, which allowed centre Megan Wellman to dictate play and inspire a commanding 19-point lead.

Despite an enthralling final quarter, it finished 40-20.

JD WETHERSPOON 23 BAY FENCING 19

JD WETHERSPOON won this top-of-the-table clash despite a late fight back from Bay Fencing & Landscaping.

Wetherspoon’s Sharon Chick was the difference in the opening stages converting numerous points to give them a healthy lead.

Good defending from Cara Rose killed the supply to Bay’s forwards and enabled the home side to go into the final quarter with the points all but secured.

The away side pushed for a share of the spoils but Charlotte Reid’s movement and shoot- ing was all in vein as it finished 23-19.

NEW IMAGE 38 CAFÉ OASIS B 7

A COMMANDING display by New Image saw them comfortably defeat an enthusiastic Café Oasis.

New Image narrowly pulled ahead in the opening quarter after a solid defensive display kept the visitors at bay.

A rapid start to the second quarter all but killed off the match, goal shooter Lauren Jones showing good forward play in creating space and getting shots away.

Oasis did all they could to prevent the home side making further ground, but after experience and dominance took hold, Image convincingly took the game.

WEYMOUTH JNC 37 ROYAL EXCHANGE 40

EXPERIENCE was the difference when Weymouth JNC fell to a marginal final-quarter defeat to Royal Exchange.

The game was evenly contested but accurate shooting from Royal Exchange’s Jodie Howell gave the visitors an early lead.

Strong defensive work by both teams kept the match balanced, only for individual errors to lead to the odd goal.

Weymouth’s narrow lead prompted Exchange’s Catherine Simmons into some faultless shooting, sending the teams into the final quarter all level.

Despite some heroic defending from the home side, they could not edge the closely-matched affair.