Lee fires Waterside

Division One

AUTOBITZ 29 WATERSIDE 43

THIS top-of-the-table clash was always going to be a tough game between two previously unbeaten sides.

The game started on an even keel, with each team going goal for goal.

Autobitz had more shooting opportunities during the first quarter, however, it was Waterside’s defence that kept the score even – 10-10 after the first 15 minutes.

The fixture remained close, with excellent defending from Becky Hallett (Bitz) and Emily Randall (Waterside), but it was Waterside who held a narrow 21-19 advantage at half-time.

Waterside’s defence excelled during the third quarter, placing extreme pressure on Bitz’s goal attack Liz Courtice.

However, the latter stepped up to the mark, producing some excellent positioning and securing much needed goals for her side.

During the final quarter an injury resulted in changes for Bitz, but this failed to flaw their performance.

They worked tirelessly but Water-side’s Susan Lee found her form during this quarter, not missing a shot and leading her team to a comfortable 43-29 victory.

BOHO A 35 DUNNINGS 31

BOHO A captured their opening victory of the season in Division One after resisting a fightback from winless Dunnings.

Boho were quick out of the blocks in this top-flight encounter and their play was characterised by a vibrant team spirit and excellent defence from Carly Dean.

Dunnings produced some fantastic shooting during the second quarter, with the goal-hungry partnership of Elaine Robertson and Clare Butler working well and trimming the arrears to 24-15.

After the half-time interval, Dunn-ings reduced the deficit further by playing their own steady game and by the final quarter they had gained their confidence.

But Boho shooter Sarah Collingwood did not buckle under the pressure and the smiles were with Boho A for gaining their first victory.

CRESTA LEISURE 15

BELLE CONSTRUCTION 71

BELLE Construction totally dominated from the outset against a Cresta Leisure side that had initially taken to the court one player short.

Accurate long-range feeds from Belle’s Louise Bugler enabled her side to take an incredible 21-2 lead after the first quarter.

A better start to the second quarter for Cresta allied to some tactical team changes – their usual WA, Alison Sperring, converting to GD – put some pressure on Belle’s shooters.

But excellent defensive play from Belle enabled them to force errors and take full advantage by converting them to goals for a 36-11 half-time advantage.

Given the congestion at the top of Division One, goal difference could be the deciding factor at the end of the season and with this in mind, Belle continued their high work- rate.

Cresta remained focus, with excellent attitude from all players especially Jess Buckseal who worked tirelessly throughout, but they were always up against it.

Division Two

BOHO B 12 FITNESS FOR LIFE 49

BOHO B played with only six players and Fitness for Life took full advantage to move top of the second tier.

Fitness took an early lead with excellent shooting from Sam Shrewbridge and Sophie Marquis.

Boho had to work hard on their positioning, and centre Tina Ironside led the charge. But it was Fitness who led 21-7 at the break.

Fitness continued to extend their lead, despite outstanding defending from Boho’s Stella Campbell and Steph Jones, before securing another vital win in their quest for honours.

TEAM WAIKIKI 30

GW ELECTRICAL 34

DIVISION Two is providing some excellent spectacles and this encounter was no different as GW Electrical edged out Team Waikiki by just four goals.

Waikiki seized the early initiative and, assisted by first-class defending from WD Sam Cowley, they surged into a 14-10 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

GW’s team-talk had the desired effect though, as they mounted a strong fightback, with impeccable shooting from GS Denise Meyers helping them to turn the game around and claim a 19-17 half-time lead.

Waikiki’s play demonstrated some precision movement, with their centre Kerry Hansford providing a solid performance, however, it was GW who continued to extend their lead.

Waikiki came back fighting, however, GW continued to convert goals to earn a narrow win.

Division Three

WEYSPORTS 20

Poundbury GARDENS 33

WEYSPORTS suffered their first defeat of the season, going down at the hands of Poundbury Gardens.

Poundbury made the brighter start, pulling away with strong shooting from Henni Green.

However, WeySports stepped up to the mark and Kenna Nurse worked diligently to reduce the deficit to 10-7 in Gardens’ favour.

WeySports made changes at the end of the first quarter but Poundbury returned for the second period more focused than ever.

And they extended their lead to 19-9 at the break, thanks to some excellent pressure from Catherine Earnshaw.

Superb interceptions from Wey-Sports’ Devon Welch held off Pound-bury for a while, allowing them to close the gap, but it was too little, too late as the latter ran out 33-20 winners.

TOYMASTER 32 BITZ N PIECES 20

TOYMASTER came out on top in a nail-biting tussle with Bitz n Pieces.

Tight defending from Bitz’s Nikki Meyers made it difficult for Toymas-ter’s shooters, before Carrie Dench stepped up to the plate and helped put her side 16-15 in front at half-time.

Solid attack in the centre from Toy-master’s Charlotte Reid and Laura Kitching provided dominant feeds to their shooting circle, and gave them a four-goal lead going into the final quarter.

Bitz dominated this final 15, however, the final whistle came too soon as Toymaster gained a well-earned win.

* For more information on the adult or junior netball leagues, visit southwestdorsetnetball.co.uk