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.