Omega Netball Club News

After beating Hornets in their last East Region game, Omega were keen and ready to give their all to their second game of the second half of the season against MK Netters Gold at Flitwick Leisure Centre today.   With a squad of 9 present they were missing defender Hayley Kruse due to illness.

MK started the game and were very tightly defended and under attack from Omega from the off with a turnover on the first centre pass and a goal secured in our favour.   Omega were definitely up for letting MK know they were here for the win and displayed grit and determination in their defensive play with several turnovers won across the quarter.    Solid shooting from both Emma, GA at 100% conversion and Georgia GS at 90% (missing just one shot all quarter), allowed Omega to take the lead in the opening quarter…an old Omega trait that is on the comeback in the last couple of games.     A solid performance in the opening quarter with newcomer Sofia settling in to the game well at WD and Leah’s fresh legs at WA mid quarter ensuring the fitness is kept high to end the quarter with a score of 14-11 in Omega’s favour.

More fresh legs from Nicola Rantell, starting at WD in the second quarter and the team get back into the game in the same form as the opening quarter.  Nicola settles into the game well and soon makes her mark with an intercept.   Another display of controlled and disciplined play by Omega and impressive defensive play with 8 turnovers won across the entire team, allowing them to maintain the lead they started with.  Less unforced errors from the team this quarter too and  a further 13 goals scored between our shooters versus the 10 scored by MK.    Up to half time, the GA for MK had converted 19 of the 21 goals MK had scored, so a key player to close down for the 2nd half of the game.

The team are disciplined and again give another performance to be proud of in the 3rd quarter.  They displayed slick and superb linking of the ball from Lucy, Zoe, Emma and Georgia who have certainly began to gel well this second half of the season and know exactly where each are going.  The movement and ball control is superb to watch and proves difficult for MK to close down.  Another fantastic shooting performance with both Emma and Georgia at 100% conversion.  Likewise, on the defensive play, another tight quarter with 7 turnovers won by defenders Steph, Sam and Sofia, along with mid-courter, Lucy.   The lead increases yet again this quarter and Omega go into the final quarter 11 goals up and a score of 42-31.

Going into the final quarter, the team know the game is theirs for the taking, but they need to maintain their composure and ensure the safe ball.    All they need to do is maintain possession and convert on their centre passes and the win is in the bag.  They take the court and don’t disappoint with their play.   Another quarter of 100% shooting conversion and high number to turnovers, with every player giving their all to gain possession as much as possible throughout.       Every player should be as proud of their performance as those on the sidelines were.  A fantastic display of some very slick netball and incredible shooting.  Well done to the entire team.

MK Netters awarded a well deserved Player of the Match to GA, Emma Maidment, who had a shooting conversion rate of 90% and worked well with her team players to support the movement of the ball to the shooting circle throughout the game.

The first East Region game of the 2nd half of the season and Omega meet Hornets Orange in our home game.   For the first time in years, Omega have a healthy squad and we welcome newcomers Sofia Aldous and Leah Badham who are joining for the second half of the season.   The team are up for changing their position on the league table and are determined that 2nd half of the season will be a turnaround in their results.

A great start with everyone warming up well in preparation for game start.   Omega start the game but falter in the opening minute and Hornets take the 1st 2 goals, but Omega settle and a 3-goal run helps them even the scores fairly quickly.  The game is closely contested for the main part of the quarter, but several turnovers by defence players, Nicola Rantell, Sam Abbott, Steph Winfield and Hayley Kruse helped the team to take a small lead by end of the 1st quarter, coupled with some excellent play by all players on court.

A substitution for 2nd quarter sees newcomer Leah Badham take the WA position from Zoe O’Neill.  We see a little more congestion in the mid court and attack play this quarter, but nevertheless, some great links and play to goal are also on display and this will only improve due to familiarity with eachother.  Tight defending by Sam, Steph and Hayley in the defensive circle put pressure on the opposition with finding their shooters and again the defence win over several turnovers.   However, Omega allow the opposition opportunities to stay in the game with silly mistakes and they loosing the quarter  by one goal.

The team revert to as was in Q1 and return to court determined to change their loosing streak and they quickly settle back into their stride.  Amazing defending by GK, Hayley results in 6 turnovers from her alone in this third quarter against a very tall and prominent GS.  Although more unforced errors are evident, the ball wins by Hayley and Nicola during the quarter, contribute towards the increase in the lead once more and allows the team to play their game.  Some great use of triangles in the attacking play by Lucy Andrews, Zoe O’Neill, Emma Maidment and Georgia Quinton, displaying control and slickness in feeding the shooters who have superb accuracy to reward the team play throughout the entire game.

Going into the final quarter, Omega are 7 goals ahead but they know the game is far from won at this point.  Control and discipline this quarter are key and all players are fully aware of this.  They continue to gel well as a team, making great decisions and displaying patience to work the ball safely to goal.  Again in this quarter, the defence play is tight and the oppositions shooters are rattled.  Clean and seamless attack play and accurate shooting by both Emma and Georgia pay off and the win the team came for, is in the bag!

The final score is 55-49 to Omega and a well deserved win.    Player of the Match awarded by Hornets to GS, Georgia Quinton…well done Georgia.