Omega Netball Club News

Sep 22
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Omega County Squad vs Hatfield Merlins – Sunday 22nd Sept 2024

By | Herts League Match Reports | No Comments
County Squad vs Hatfield Merlins

The second weekend of fixtures and Omega meet Hatfield Merlins.  With almost a full squad, missing  just 1 player, we have several options for the game ahead. 

A slow start to the game, with Omega struggling to compose in the attack end in the opening quarter and Hatfield are settled and familiar in their play, achieving a strong head start in the game as a result.  A couple of team changes in the attack area in an attempt to change the dynamics and settle the squad sees Omega begin to find their stride, albeit a little late in the quarter, which ends 6-12 to Merlins. 

The team retake the court in the same positions as they ended Q1, with only one change in the shooting area.   The team work hard to consolidate and display stronger links in moving the ball to a shooting position and more accuracy in shooting conversion, which results in Omega closing the gap in the score.   Coupled with tightened defensive play, results in 7 turnovers between defenders and mid-court players and the team manage to end the quarter 1 goal up, with a score of 19-18 by half time.  They have also restricted Merlins to only 6 goals!  A great quarter for the team with some steady and solid netball played by all players. 

A more confident team after such a great 2nd quarter and the same setup return to court, but the opening minutes are very different as the team struggle once again to convert on their centre passes.  Another attempt at fresh legs and a change to the team dynamics takes place mid quarter, but the team struggle to gain control.  Hatfield are on the hunt and succeed in taking the lead once more.  Not the best quarter for Omega, only gaining 4 goals for our score and not enough opportunities in a shooting position presented.  However,  the defence once again play a blinder, with GK, Jasmine winning 5 turnovers for the team and keeping them in the game. 

The final quarter and Omega have some work to do being 7 goals down to start it.  Omega are back on form and this show great composure and patience in their play.   Every player gives their all to the final quarter and with the tight pressure applied in the circle defence, Omega win possession, control their ball placement and movement as they work the ball to goal.  The team win the quarter 10-8, but unfortunately the slow start and 3rd quarter have proved too costly in the game and the team just miss out on 2 points for the table, with a final score of 32-37 to Merlins. 

Some great play was evident this game, but some work to do to ensure consistency from start to finish, along with some areas of improvement to be taken to training.  The team have great potential and with more games under their belt to gain the familiarity with each other, they will hopefully soon gain the win they seek. 

Player of the Match – Jasmine May at GK.  Amazing defence play Jas…well done!

Sep 21
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Omega Regional vs Royston, Saturday 21st Sept 2024

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Regional Team vs Royson 21st Sept 2024

Our second Regional fixture of the season and we’re already depleted with our regular GA, Emma Maidment having fractured her heel in the first game and Wing player, Nicola Rantell still out from long term injury, so new combinations are a must in this game.   In addition, several of the squad have picked up illness since last game and are not in their best form, so this game has potential to be a struggle. 

Omega start out meaning business, with a steal of the ball by GK, Mary Ogunseitan on Royston’s first centre pass and Omega are quick to convert the goal.  Omega also succeed in converting on their centre pass too and this looks to be set for a great game for the small squad if they can keep their composure and stamina for the whole game.  The entire team settle in quickly in this opening quarter and the tight defending play in Royston’s shooting third by all 4 Omega players in the area (Lucy Andrews at C, Stephanie Winfield at WD, Samantha Abbott at GD and Mary Ogunseitan at GK), applies pressure and forces many an error which Omega capitalise on.  A fantastic start to the game with the new shooting combination of Hayley Kruse at GS and Georgia Quinton at GA proving their worth with shooting accuracy and availability and the first quarter ends 17-9 for Omega. 

A positive team chat and the team retake the court ready to continue to fight for the win.   Another display of composed netball from the Omega team this quarter, but on a couple of occasions, they struggle to be available for the centre pass and Royston win possession.  However, once again some great defending play across all thirds of the court sees several interceptions, including from players in the midcourt (WD Leah Badham and C Lucy Andrews) and in our shooting third (GA Georgia Quinton).  A superb interception from GK Mary as she is quick on her feet and takes the ball from the Royston GS and the team link well mid court to take it the ball to our shooting third, but the ball is lost in our shooting end and the ball returns for Royston take the goal.

Going into the 3rd quarter, Omega have a comfortable lead with a score of 30-18, but they have been told not to sit complacent and to continue playing as they have been so far in the game.   This quarter, the shooters are on fire with 100% conversion for GS Hayley Kruse, scoring 12 of the 17 goals scored.  Likewise the defence continue to apply tight pressure on Royston, allowing GK Mary to steal on 5 occasions.   We also see great feeds to our shooters from WA, Zoe O’Neill and C, Lucy Andrews, which find our shooters with ease.    GS, Hayley also intercepts a goal line pass by Royston with her long arm-span and she is quick to punish them with another fantastic goal for her team.    An amazing quarter by all players, increasing the goal difference by 19 goals going into the final quarter. 

The team return to court with a positive outlook and once again give their all to the game.  This quarter it’s GA Georgia Quinton’s turn for the 100% accuracy in her shooting, converting 8 of the 12 goals scored by Omega.  The strong defensive play continues in the same vein across the entire team and is tight, resulting in 8 turnovers, however these are matched with 8 forced errors in the quarter.   The game ends with a fantastic win for Omega with a final score of 59-38 and the team have played their socks off!

An absolute cracker of a game to watch, with every player giving 100% at all times.  Some wild and erratic passing at times, but when composed, Omega were solid in their play and proved a tough opposition.   

Royston awarded Player of the Match to C, Lucy Andrews….well done Lucy!

Sep 16
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Omega County vs SAS Royals – Sunday 15th Sept 2024

By | Herts League Match Reports | No Comments

A new squad out for our 1st County match against SAS and it’s a fantastic turnout from the squad, with many supporters too.  

The 1st quarter of play is erratic, with players struggling to gain the familiarity of player movement and ball placement, whilst SAS are keen hunters and intercept on many occasions, gaining possession and goals to allow them to take advantage of an unfamiliar unit.   SAS take a strong lead by end of the quarter, with a score of 13-5 in SAS favour. 

Omega’s second quarter sees the nerves disappear and a more disciplined set of play with great linkages in the mid court.  The circle defenders, are tight and successfully close down the SAS shooters, gaining possession for Omega on several occasions, but the team are not as successful in gaining the much needed goals to close the gap in the scoreline.  

In quarter 3, Omega gain composure in their play and really begin to understand each other.  The circle defenders, Jasmine May and Claire Daw are once again on fire and gain many a ball as SAS attempt to take the ball to goal.  Likewise, the mid-court team are more alert and manage to secure loose-balls (a rarity for Omega) and intercepts.  This quarter, Omega match the play of their opponents and succeed in winning the quarter by one goal. 

By quarter 4, Omega are in their stride and once again they match the play of the opponents and the quarter is well contested by both teams.  However, Omega struggle to make the conversions on the much needed goals to close the score.    The game ended 28-39 with SAS taking the game.

Definitely a game of two halves, with a significant improvement in the play from Omega in the second half.  Some great moments of play, with excellent defence and the starting of players gelling as they get to know each other.  We see great potential for the season and future games. 

Well played all!   A well deserved Player of the Match is awarded to Jasmine May by the team, with all votes split between Jas and her fellow circle defender, Claire Daw….well voted team. 

Sep 16
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Omega Regional vs Hornets Orange – Saturday 14th Sept 2024

By | Regional Match Reports | No Comments

Almost a full squad for the start of season, with Nicola Rantell still recovering from an injury…she will hopefully return to court very soon, but great to have her on the bench to support the team today.  

A nervous and unsettled opening quarter for the 1st Regional game of the season, with Hornets taking an early lead of 3 goals in the first few minutes of the game.   Omega compose by mid quarter and the defence fight hard to keep the team in the game, gaining several turnovers to allow the team to close the score to 1 goal, but the accuracy of the Hornets shooters when they have the ball, allows them to take the 1st quarter with a score of 12-8.

The second quarter sees Hornets apply the pressure, implementing their zone defence and Omega are not driving through the barrier to maintain possession, which results in Hornets gaining the possession and punishing with goal conversion on most occasions.  By half time, the score has widened to 24-15 to Hornets.

Omega keep their heads high in the 3rd quarter and again give their all to take the ball to goal, but the defending play by Hornets, once again sees Omega making errors and loosing possession on several occasions.  The Omega defence are on fire as they apply pressure on the opposition shooters and it’s their turn to turnover the possession in our favour.   The linking in Omega’s play is great at times, but silly errors prove very costly throughout the whole court play.   An injury in the final shot at goal to Omega’s GA, Emma Maidment, sees her limping off court to end the quarter and taking the bench for the final quarter. 

Going into the final quarter, Omega have a lot to do to contest for the game with a score of 24-37 to Hornets.  The team focus and whilst Hornets bench increase the noise level, Omega players respond positively and each and every player gives everything they have left in them to fight for the game.  An amazing quarter from all players, with every defender and mid-courter intercepting the play throughout, resulting in 11 turnovers for the team.  They compose their attack play and tighten their defence further, restricting Hornets to just 4 goals, whilst gaining 12 themselves.   A fantastic quarter, albeit too late to gain the win or the 2 points for the table, but some new combinations explored and some great promise for future games.  A full game like this quarter and the result could have been different.

A greatly contested game, with grit and determination displayed to the end.  Well done all and a much deserved Player of the Match awarded by the opposition to Mary Ogunseitan who definitely unsettled the Hornets shooters consistently throughout.