HAVING finished third in the winter netball season, Casy Comets have high expectations of conquering Division One this summer.

With a new kit, courtesy of their sponsor Shelley Stevens of Casy House – a facility for people with learning difficulties – they claimed victory over Riviera 35-28. Comets’ Louise Buckland scored the first goal after a flying start from both teams.

Riviera equalled the score thanks to some quick reflexes from Rebecca Griffin, and focused goal shooter Clare Butler.

Casy began to edge ahead, courtesy of Emma Wakely notching up a host of precision shots, ending the first quarter 8-5. The second period kicked off with Laura Gardner netting some long-range shots.

However, Casy stepped up the pressure and Riviera found it difficult to find easy passes into their shooters due to the tight marking by Nicky Marsh and Lisa Pierce.

The pressure took its toll in the third with both teams being called on several occasions for footwork infringements.

After a short injury time-out for Riviera’s Caroline Marshall, following a collision while contesting the ball, both teams continued to score goal for goal, ending the third quarter 26-20 to Casy’s.

The final quarter witnessed both teams channel every last ounce of energy into their passes but Riviera were unable to make up the deficit.

In Division Two, demoted Wakelys bolstered their campaign for winter promotion with a convincing win over Toymaster 27-23. From the start Wakelys displayed a strong array of passes, skills and tactics and led 11-2 going into the second quarter.

However, Toymaster fought back with some impressive shooting from Charlotte Newman and Jennie Stone.

By the third Toymaster had pulled the score back to 17-16 to Wakelys, and showed great determination.

The final quarter saw a reshuffle in Wakelys’ line-up, following an injury to their wing-defence Mandy Langton.

However, following the injury time-out Wakely re-entered the court and stretched their lead due to the excellent defensive play of Kate Goyder and Tina Ironside.

At the other end of the table in Division Three new team Bitz and Pieces suffered defeat at the hands of PJ Aiken.

From the outset Aiken took an authoritative lead thanks to their shooters Yvette Roles and Lorraine Kellaway.

However, Bitz found their stride and displayed some excellent court play allowing the ball to flow tidily into their attacking zone.

Aiken began to pull away in the second quarter thanks to the strong centre court play of Caroline Goode and Emma Kellaway and they earned a 13-7 halt-time lead.

The third quarter witnessed Bitz make a valiant attempt to close the deficit with some accurate shooting from Emma Conway-Hyde and Clare Taylor, but unfortunately their mid-court play was inconsistent resulting in limited opportunities. The final score was an accurate reflection of the skills and imaginative court play of the stronger team.