Wow…. When last week I reported back just surprised I had been how exciting Netball can be! Well, strap in! The conclusion to this weeks league performance left some with nerves shot and hearts weakened.

Sapphires set up for what they thought was going to be their hardest challenge yet in the final game of the day, pitted against Grangers Lightening, a well established team who had finished that bit higher in the grading tournament just a couple of weeks prior.

Before that they still had the challenge of BCNC Jades first for their 12:15 kick off. A team who they had previously bested 3-0 also in the grading tournament but given recent experiences we had wised up to ‘counting our chickens’, well aware how different teams can be when it comes to game day.

BCNC JADES VS BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES
MARTIN , selected to captain the Sapphires today following real progress and effort in Friday’s training session. She led the team out onto court 8 to find a vaguely familiar BCNC Jades line-up.
Now I’m not sure if we can put it down to the deflated ball provided in the first quarter or just simply a little ‘slow out of the blocks’ from Sapphires, something which they did show in last week initial game but the first quarter was ‘scrappy’ to say the least. Neither team making much headway and no real plays to mention. An isolated opportunity spilling through to Sapphires attack saw efforts from both MAHWING and MARTIN but the quarter still ended all square, 0-0.
The second quarter, Sapphires kicked into gear and came out like a different team led by the shooting class of HIGGINS who clearly had her ‘shooting boots’ on today. The first to come from HIGGINS starting the play of from centre court through a series of 4 slick passes and some excellent movement by HIGGINS, into the D to finish the move after a collected rebounded first attempt.

BCNC Jade 0 Bedford Tiger 1

A sharp, quick move just a minute later in the 8th saw the flood gates start to open with HIGGINS confidentially finishing the opportunity.

BCNC Jade 0 Bedford Tiger 2

Less then a minute, another from HIGGINS following a pass from out wide by MARTIN

BCNC Jade 0 Bedford Tiger 3

Sapphires were now getting into the stride, mopping up most from the middle of the court and intercepting well. Another goal arrived on minute 9 from another well timed interception from AYLING, E, another signature string of quick passes through the court found HIGGINS yet again. With another within seconds after the restart.

BCNC Jade 0 Bedford Tiger 5

The sixth came just before half time and from someone who was keen to get her first elusive goal for the club in the league this season. MARTIN stepped up right on queue brought the Sapphires in 6-0 up!

BCNC Jade 0 Bedford Tiger 6

Another set of rotations and positional changes for the third quarter but when the coach gives you the ‘goal attack’ bib you do not usually get an unwelcomed frown back but that is exactly what the coach got from LEWIS, slightly unconfident in the role and asked to take on the mantle from such prolific scorers, clearly there were some doubts. The encouragement from her peers was a joy to hear and must of been exactly what she needed… as within the first minute of the third quarter HIGGINS found herself in familiar territory once again but only to find the rim this time. A keen collection off the rebound, exactly as practiced in training found LEWIS in the perfect position and without hesitation she also celebrated her first goal in the league. A goal which everyone celebrated together including a number of her family who had turned for a special occasion, to celebrate mums birthday. Happy Birthday mum!

BCNC Jade 0 Bedford Tiger 7

Everything was clicking for the Sapphires and confidence was clearly up. Sharp movement and passing from the teams very own ‘tiny (but feisty) tigers’ in AYLING, G and MAHWING stood out and individuals got more and more space and time.
Credit must be mentioned to a resilient BCNC team at this time who despite the deficit never gave up and energetically took to the court throughout.
Goals 8,9 and 10 were all at the hands of HIGGINS who racked up an impressive 8 in clinical fashion for the game, all coming from smart thinking and playing out of the D to the hands of a reliable PYECROFT before seeking the return before finishing the movement with a goal. A move which was mirrored for the last 3 goals.

The final quarter BCNC had their hands on the ball more often and getting some rare time in the Sapphires D, in the 17th causing contact to be called and a penalty to be given. This was not to be converted but not deterred, BCNC came again and finally converted and well deserved consolation goal.

FULL TIME - BCNC Jade 1 Bedford Tiger 10

GRANGERS LIGHTNING VS BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES
The quick turn around and the bell sounding for the next game before Sapphires has removed themselves court must not have assisted in preparing for the final game of the weekend. The dash across court for players, staff and coaches to make the start of the game certainly wouldn’t have helped… but here they were… unbeaten…who would of thought it… quite the progress but this was never all about winning.

The game got underway with a closely contested first quarter with little to call either way. A couple of opportunities going by the way of Grangers early on which was enough to know the girls were in for a game but this would end up still being an understatement.

As the teams come out for the second quarter gaps were starting to be exploited through the Sapphires defence and pressure was mounting from Grangers, nothing that you could really put your finger on but persistence was paying off for them.
Sapphires first attack didn’t come until mid-way through the second quarter but shined a glimmer of hope of the game for Tigers, with shots from both LYNCH and HABERSHON denied.
Repayment was swift with Grangers breaking the deadlock on the 8th minute and a deserved goal from sustained possession.

Grangers Lightning 1 Bedford Tigers 0

Coming out into the third there was still all to play for but Grangers doubled their league straight out of the gate, converting a penalty in minute 10 and a third in quick succession which brought about a notable quietness from the Tigers fan base outside the courts.

Grangers Lightning 3 Bedford Tigers 0

Sapphires were certainly not at their best in the last 12 minutes and taking nothing well from a well oiled Grangers team but there was a thought throughout that Sapphires should still be competing in this game. A flash of hope landed in the 12th from the a rare piece of attacking play with AYLING, G assisting LYNCH to convert her first real opportunity.

Grangers Lightning 3 Bedford Tigers 1

Still with a glimmer of hope, it was then all but stomped out when Grangers came again in the 13th in similar fashion, converting number 4. Then again with the 5th with no real explanation with what was going so wrong for the girls and despite the scoreboard it didn’t feel like a 5-1 game, but here we were.

Grangers Lightning 5 Bedford Tigers 1

Truly believing there was still hope in this game but with no real rationale as to why, Sapphires were sent out with a focus on team togetherness and hope. Stepping onto court, faces around the court from the loyal support looked a little blank and thoughts crept in as to the best way to motivate them with possible loss on the cards and how would be best to pick them up and take the positives.

A consolation maybe in the 16th as the new GA PYECROFT converted her second attempt at the net.

Grangers Lightning 5 Bedford Tigers 2

…but it was clear to see and feel a spark had been lit and the team were just playing differently, dominating possession, securing better passes and with more dynamic movement… but it was too little too late… right?
Even when a third came from PYECROFT after collecting the rebound from a shot hitting the rim from AYLING, G’s effort, the 17th minute felt still too late to make a difference but encouraging to see the girls fight to the end and make the score respectable.

Grangers Lightning 5 Bedford Tigers 3

After the fourth went in, again by PYECROFT on the 18th you could feel the support lift just a few inches… maybe?

Grangers Lightning 5 Bedford Tigers 4

A confession is needed now. The rest of the game is somewhat of a blur, very few notes were taken at this point and the scribbles are barely legible as the drama of the game had not just got to me but everyone. What I can tell you in the final minutes saw determination on a level we had yet to see from the girls, a real spirit to fight for every last ball, for every last play … as a team. Each spill, whether a flick or interception coming from a firm hand of AYLING, E or a strong lunge to secure the ball from LYNCH, something was building.

The 19th saw the equaliser from the affectionate friendship and partnership of PYECROFT and AYLING, G. AYLING, G caused a ‘oooo’ from the crowd when she found space to pop of a shot, only narrowly to be denied but cleaned up and finished with great composure by PYECROFT to score her 4th of the game.

Grangers Lightning 5 Bedford Tigers 5

A draw in fairness was probably a fair result but our girls were not done and there was a feeling of pride in the air, to see each and every one of them put everything they had in, right until the final minute.
… and all I can tell you at this point is about 30 seconds from time, one way or another PYECROFT stepped up to sink the winner. The supporters who always show up and are so positive, could not be contained. There were Mums skipping, Dads fist pumping and a coach and his assistant left with not a nerve left in their body.
The final snapshot was the elation as the girls come running over, beaming from an experience where there will be a lot of learning and growing as a team.

Hats off to a great game, one which couldn’t have been enjoyed without the performance of a solid Grangers side who we must commend.

FINAL SCORE - Granger Lightning 5 Bedford Tigers 6
STAR PLAYER - Esme H
For not only her deadeye shooting today but her all around play going forward but defensive qualities also, a significant consistent performance to be proud of

4 wins for 4. We know it can’t last forever but we will enjoy it while it lasts.
My Sunday was done. Exhausted, emotionally drained but buzzing… and I know so were many of you.