Premier Division

GEORGE BAR & GRILL 32

GUNGHO MARKETING 38

GEORGE Bar and Grill gave leaders Gungho Marketing a superb game, but ultimately fell to a 38-32 defeat in the South & West Dorset League Premier Division.

This highly competitive match saw excellent play from both teams. George’s mid-court players WA Jane Snarey, C Kirsty Winning and WD Jenny Ayles used clear communication and expert passing to control the game. Gungho ramped up the defensive pressure, gaining some skilled interceptions, allowing them to pull ahead.

George rallied together to close the gap. Gungho C, Tia Chaloner, and WD, Gabby Bennett, worked the ball well around the centre third, allowing Gungho’s attacking players to gain prime space in their goal third, resulting in good scoring.

The intensity stayed high in the final quarter, with George utilising both their attacking and defensive strengths to keep right on Gungho’s heels. Gungho fought hard to retain the lead they had built until the final whistle blew.

NEW BODY FITNESS 53

CRESTA LEISURE 27

NEW Body Fitness cruised to a convincing 53-27 victory over Cresta Leisure that keeps them on the heels of the top two sides in the Premier Division.

New Body set the pace for the match early on, with WA, Nicole Birley, feeding well into the circle, allowing her shooters to rack up the points. Cresta’s defence mobilised in an attempt to slow down the onslaught of goals being scored against them but found it difficult to counteract New Body’s skilled attack.

Cresta fought valiantly, with great encouragement on court, but New Body’s slick teamwork made it a difficult task.

New Body WD, Ellen Blackwood, made some timely interceptions in the final quarter, limiting Cresta’s opportunities to narrow the goal difference and at the final whistle New Body had amassed a 25-goal lead, walking away with a convincing win.

Division Two

ARTIFEX HOME IMPROVEMENTS B 32

WJNC 32

ARTIFEX B and WJNC played out an entertaining 32-32 draw in a closely contested battle in Division Two.

Both teams took time to settle, with unforced errors creating much turnover ball. Artifex B were first to score, thanks to excellent support from WA, Beth Mear. WJNC responded swiftly, with some quick goals.

The mid-quarters saw the lead change hands repeatedly, with WJNC making bold long passes, their confidence in each other paying off and their shooters, Erin Cutler and Georgia Pearson capitalising on scoring opportunities. Artifex B worked the ball well around court, with great supportive play from Kim Hall, WD, constantly offering options for her teammates.

With one goal separating the two teams, Artifex were not afraid to pass backwards to reset and retain possession. WJNC also turned up the pressure with everything to play for. In a match too close to call, even scores at full-time seemed a truly fitting result.

MERAKI 13

BEAMINSTER BRAVES 36

BEAMINSTER Braves kept up their hold on second place with a straightforward 36-13 victory over Meraki in Division Two.

From the first whistle, it was clear that both teams were committed to the win. Meraki seemed to have the edge to start, working the ball beautifully across court but were unable to penetrate the solid wall of Braves’ circle defence. Braves’ attack made some timely interceptions to turn over ball and accurate shooting from GS, Niamh Randall and GA, Ellie O’Donoghue cemented their lead early on.

Meraki WA, Maddie Poole, and C, Eliza Bradbury made great use of space across the court, their exceptional cross court control only thwarted by Braves’ outstanding defence.

However, the impenetrable defence of Braves, including GD Jasmine Mather, proved difficult for Meraki to overcome and attempts to safely deliver the ball to their shooters mostly resulted in turnover balls. Braves wasted no time capitalising on this and kept the points coming.

The final quarter saw Meraki fight bravely on, slowly chipping away at Braves’ defence and able to add more points to their tally but it was not enough and Braves emerged victorious at full-time.