Wednesday 5th March - Saturday 8th March
Canford U15 team Win County Netball Title!
Netball has had a very full and highly successful week. It all began last Wednesday when the Under 15 side competed in the County Finals. It was a tournament that we had high expectations for, but we knew all players would have to be on their game if we were to come out on top. This we did in all areas of the court, and with shooter Kate Hicks scoring at well over 85% we proved to good and consistent for all those there. Canford managed to win all their games, running out undisputed winners.
The Under 14's had to quickly get their heads out of hockey mode and back into netball as they faced Portsmouth Grammar School at A, B and C level on Thursday. The A team struggled early to get their minds back on the job, but fought hard against tough opposition to narrowly loose. The 14B's continued on their winning ways as did the C's. An impressive set of results on minimal preparation and against one of our toughest opposition.
Saturday saw us play our return fixture against Bryanston. Not all teams could get on court given the appalling conditions. However we did manage 4 fixtures here, indoors at Canford and the 1sts and 15A's played triangular fixtures against Bryanston and The Abbey School, Reading.
At first team level, we put the disappointment of last week behind us and in our first match came from behind to defeat the Abbey. The second match against Bryanston was again another closely fought encounter however this time the scoreline saw us narrowly defeated. The same was true for the Under 15's, wining against The Abbey and narrowly loosing to Bryanston, a team we had beaten comfortably on Wednesday. A valuable lesson to be learnt there.
At Canford there were some very close and exciting matches. The 16A's and the 14A's both winning by 1. The 16b's lost by 4 whilst the 14B's still remain undefeated winning comfortably by 8.
Results
Wednesday 5th March
Under 15 - Winners of the County Championships.
Thursday 6th March
Matches vs PGS
Under 14A L
Under 14B W
Under 14C W
Saturday 8th March
Matches vs Bryanston
1sts vs The Abbey W
vs Bryanston L
Under16A W 19 - 18
Under16B L 12 - 18
Under 15A vs The Abbey W
vs Bryanston L
Under14A W 20 - 19
Under14B W
Saturday 1st March
Netball v Portsmouth Grammar School
In what the 1sts knew was going to be the hardest match of the season, they started well against an extremely strong PGS side. At quarter time, Canford were 8-7 down and looked like they would push their opponents hard throughout. However, this changed with Portsmouth dominating in the second quarter. Increasing the tempo, they took control of the game and from then on Canford struggled to sat in touch, finally going down 14 - 45. It was a hard lesson to learn but it gave the Canford team an idea of the commitment and work needed in order to step up their game and reach the next level. With the return fixture against Bryanston this weekend, there is much preparation to be done on the training track.
The 2nds, whilst going down 24 - 36, can be pleased with their efforts as, according to their coach, they raised the level of their game and were competitive throughout the match. The 3rds narrowly lost a nailbiter 11-12 but the most improved side of the week must go to the U16 A team - who last year lost by 20 goals - turning their misfortunes round to walk away with a very respectable 18 - 18 draw in a very exciting game.
The 15 A team are starting to hit their stride at the right time of the season (with their county finals due to be played on Wednesday) they outclassed a strong side to win 29 - 17. The 15B's narrowly lost 20 - 22 and, saving the best till last, the U15C's are maintaining their unbeaten season with a resounding 40 - 23 win.
Results
1sts L 15 - 46
2nds L 24 - 36
3rds L 11 - 12
16A's D 18 - 18
16B's L 14 - 27
15A's W 29 - 17
15B's L 20 - 22
15C's W 40 - 23
Saturday 9th February
Netball v Kings Taunton
The sign of a good side is how well they bounce back after a defeat and the First VII did just that in a closely fought game against Kings Taunton. Canford started slowly, struggling to find their rhythm, and as a result were patchy rather than fluid in their play and scoring. Whilst this kept them in the game, it didn't allow them to dictate the tempo. At 12 - 15 down at half time the crucial third quarter became vital. I am delighted to say that the side responded, with Phoebe Thornton ensuring their GA had to shoot from long range and making a strong series of rebounds, and Beth Linley Adams beginning to make interceptions we quickly rebounded Kings initial attacks, counterattacking quickly and fluidly, and with Kat Davenport and Chloe Astin turning every opportunity into scores we turned the 3 goal deficit at half time into a 3 goal lead. This we extended by one in the last quarter to finally run out 28 - 24 winners.
The seconds once again had a nailbitingly close match - their 25 - 25 draw kept spectators and players alike on the edge of their seats. The thirds, in a very convivial atmosphere won 17 - 9.
The four junior sides that traveled to Kings Taunton were equally impressive. The 15A's ran out convincing 23 - 8 winners, and should give them confidence going into their County preliminaries this Wednesday, whilst the 15B's enjoyed a 26 - 19 win. The 14A shooters were obviously in form with a strong 36 - 29 win and the 14B's will be pleased with their 26 - 19 win.
Results
1st VII W 28 - 24
2nd VII D 25 - 25
3rd VII W 17 - 9
15A's W 23 - 8
15B's W 26 - 19
14A's W 36 - 29
14B's W 26 - 19
Sunday 2nd February
Netball v Dauntseys
This weekend the senior netball teams were playing away from home at Dauntseys. The 1st VII were involved in a tightly fought game and despite plenty of endeavour went down to a 25-30 loss. The 2nd VII, however, were in an even tighter game which went right down to the wire, and perhaps deserved a draw rather than the 20-21 loss that was eventually reached.
The rest of the Canford netball teams were very successful claiming victories across the board. The U16As won well with a final score of 30-11, while the U16Bs also won 19-11. The U15As experienced a closer game holding on to win 26-24 and it was a similar story for the Bs who won 23-19. Last, but by no means least, the U14 A and B teams also won, 25-20 and 35-7 respectively.
Results
1st: L 25-30 2nd: L 20-21
U16A: W 30-11 U16B: W 19-11
U15A: W 26-24 U15B: W 23-19
U14A: W 25-20 U14B: W 35-7
Saturday 19th January
Matches v Bryanston
Nine Canford sides stepped out on Saturday in what is always a close
fought tussle against local rivals Bryanston. Matches are very rarely
one sided affairs and this Saturday was no exception.
The 1st VII continued their impressive start to the season by with a strong
29 - 21 win. After a slow start this week they slowly took control of the tempo
of the game forcing Bryanston to make errors. The 2nd VII, along with the Under 15 B's had nail biting draws which kept those on and off the pitch enthralled until the very last whistle. The 16A's & B's, 15 A's & 14A's were on the wrong side of close score lines, whilst the 14B's and in particular the 15C's ( for the second week in a row) were impressive in their emphatic wins.
Results
1st VII Won 29 - 21
2nd VII Drew 24 - 24
16A's Lost 16 - 21
16B's Lost 16 - 18
15A's Lost 16 - 18
15B's Drew 23 - 23
15C's Won 26 - 2
14A's Lost 22 - 25
14B's Won 22 - 9
Saturday 12th January
Matches v Marlborough
Having a school like Marlborough as your first fixture for the season certainly isn't a gentle warm up fixture. It provides a very genuine measuring stick. The 1st VII were disappointed not to be going to the Regional playoff's in a fortnight (they narrowly lost in the semi finals) and so were determined to show against a Marlborough side that had qualified that they were good enough to be there. With four players returning from the highly successful side last season and pressure being put on every position by those stepping up into the senior ranks, it was a chance to see what the season potentially had in store. Very quickly Canford found themselves 2 - 0 down and were struggling to find their rhythm. However, breaking Marlborough's centre and scoring from it quickly saw us grab the initiative and settle the nerves. So much so that at quarter time Canford held a commanding 11 - 2 lead. From then on it was an impressive display from the Canford side, dominating posession and dictating the tempo of the game. The final 29 - 15 win an impressive start to the season.
The seconds whilst lost 21 - 37 and realised that there is plenty still to do. The thirds lost narrowly whilst for the 16A's and 15A's it was a bad day in the office - one that will require work during the week. The 15B's fought gamely but lost 24 - 32. The 15C's however must be in line for side of the week. With minimal court time last week, they voluntarily took themselves out on Friday afternoon and their 24 - 9 win shows that their efforts were well worth while.
Finally, the 14A's and B's have started their Canford playing careers in impressive fashion. The A's 18 - 12 victory showed that their is tremendous potential in this age group and that they are quickly adapting the 'Canford' style of game. Equally the 14B's their 16 - 14 was a great result in a nip and tuck first match. For the 14C's and D's there are signs of promise, but much yet still to do. However, overall, a very pleasing opening to the Netball season.
Results
1st VII: W 29 - 15
2nd VII L 21 - 37
3rd VII L 21 - 25
16A's L 8 - 37
15A's L 24 - 32
15B's L 24 - 32
15C's W 24 - 9
14A's W 18 - 12
14B's W 16 - 14
14C's L 9 - 18
14D's L 5 - 1
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