And so it came down to this... March 12th, 2022, the top two facing off for the championship of division 2 of the SDNA, indoors, in front of a packed house, What could be finer. Englishmen still abed would think themselves cursed they were not here...! and all that..!

Corsham fielded a first-choice seven and, presumably, Lawn did likewise...although it's hard to tell with them as they seemingly had fifty players on their bench. There was a pre-match air of unfinished business amongst the team and their followers regarding the previous meeting with Lawn. Corsham, without several of their starters, led 16-9 at halftime and at one point led by 8 during the fourth quarter before suffering the mother of all meltdowns and ended up clinging on for a 26 all draw. Lawn have topped the table ever since with Corsham nipping at their ankles the whole way.

The first quarter was a markedly nervous affair..., well it was a nervous affair for the supporters club at any rate. Possession going back and forth like a table tennis match before Corsham made it stick late on to lead 14-10 at the first intermission. Lawn had loaded both circles with a mixture of fearless youth and gnarly veterans with the gnarly vets to the fore with impeccable shooting at one end and some...physical...defending at the other. Michelle being the recipient of a right buffeting but still holding out like a pro.

The second quarter followed a similar theme, fairly low scoring, with possession won and subsequently lost by both teams, neither really settling to the task at hand. Corsham scoring three or four in a row and threatening to take a firm grip on proceedings before surrendering the initiative and allowing Lawn back into the fray. The quarter went to Corsham 11-7 to leave the score 25-17 at the half.

The half-time interval saw Lou step out of the maelstrom - clearly feeling the worse for her latest tussle with Covid - to allow Emily to cross the white line at centre. Lawn made initial inroads, eroding the deficit to a mere four goals before Corsham got back on track.
Both teams were now going goal for goal with far fewer turnovers, it was turning into a shooting match. Lawn had replaced their excellent veteran shooter at halftime with an even better veteran shooter..., she was missing nothing...but, fortunately, both Deb and Michelle were doing likewise.

What was also a feature was the Corsham deep ball into the corners of the court, you could hear the Lawn defenders squabbling about it throughout the whole game, they seemed unable to do anything about it and Corsham exploited this weakness mercilessly. I cannot say it did anything positive for the nervous systems of the faithful followers on the touchline, every time the ball was lofted forward I lost something like a day off my life expectancy. Every time I expected the GK to sally forth and pluck the ball from the Dorcan air and launch a counter attack..., she never did... I cannot imagine what she was thinking..., everyone, on the court, and on the sidelines knew what was coming but she seemed incapable of joining the dots. The score for the quarter was 15-15 leaving Corsham leading by 8, 40-32 with 15 minutes to go.

There's that number again...8, the same number Corsham led by back in December. Surely it couldn't happen again..., could it..? The ladies looked cool, calm, and collected..., the fans looked cooked, fraught, and eviscerated. We needn't have worried. A strong start to the quarter was called for and that is what we got. Corsham moved the ball with precision timing and accuracy, Michelle did what Michelle does and Corsham were up by 12 before Lawn threatened the Corsham defensive circle, the redoubtable Lisa and Shelley did rest. Corsham winning the quarter 13-11 and with it the match, 53-42.

Absolute scenes followed. It was magical to see the ladies so elated, with smiles and hugs all around. If you ask a soldier why he fights he'll tell you it's not for the glory of the regiment, much less Queen and country.., it's for his buddy next to him in the trench and that's what the good ladies of Corsham have resembled this season.

Before we get carried away completely, there's still another game to play and Croft are no pushovers. Focus is still required to seal the deal, I'm sure though that Corsham have one more trip to the well in them and will win through...One solitary point is required to win the division...so don't lose by 11...!

Lawn player; Deb Carson...Totally unplayable at times. The Lawn defenders were visibly distraught at their inability to do anything about her movement and diabolical passes to Michelle. Top work.

Correspondents player; Shelley Meiklereid, For some time now Shelley has been..., in my mind, at any rate...at the top of her game. She just dominates the defensive circle with guile and cunning and reads the game as well as anyone. She has a real feel for the game and has built a telepathic relationship with Lisa whether at GD or GK. Excellent performance.

Finally, I am unable to attend the season finale so this will be my final report of the season. It's been a pleasure...mostly..., Although the season has comprised fewer games it feels a long time since that narrow five-goal triumph over Fairford on the 16th of October. Well done to everyone, I'm sure you'll bring it home on Saturday. For those of you that are deranged enough to actually enjoy my scribblings, watch this space, as I will be back shortly with a season review and supporters club player of the season...after I have received the votes of the other member, of course.

Corsham Netball Club

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