Omega Netball Club News

Starting 7: GS – Emma Faulkner, GA – Emma Maidment, WA – Sophie Cockrill, C – Lucy Andrews, WD – Hannah Sell, GD – Samantha Abbott and GK – Andrea Kinninmonth.

We went into this weekends game with a depleted squad and with our resident circle defence out injured and ill. However Andrea Kinnimonth and Hannah Sell stepped into their positions and what a performance it was.

A great performance this weekend for our 2^nd game and first away game of the season against MK Netters. Omega started with a solid first quarter, making some great interceptions from the attacking circle all the way down to defence, with GS Charlotte Jordan strongly converting shots and the score reflected the efforts with Omega up 22-7 at the end of the 1^st quarter.

Knowing that NK Netters were going to try and come back strongly in the 2^nd quarter the team chat lead by the coach and captain encouraged the team to maintain composure and keep control of the game with great linkages and a continued strong defence.  The team fully took this feedback on board and demonstrated just what had been asked of them and they ended the 2^nd quarter in a strong position with the Omega up 42-15.

The 3^rd quarter started badly for Omega with an early injury sustained to a key player in defence, however the team quickly regrouped and kept their composure and substitute Andrea Kinninmonth slotted into the defensive circle quickly forming a good partnership with Samantha Abbott in at GD and Omega ended the 3^rd quarter 59-26.

In the final quarter Omega did not take their foot off the gas, continued turnovers by all 3 of the defence players, coupled with some phenomenal feeds into the circle by Sophie Cockrill and Lucy Andrews provided great opportunities for Emma Maidment and Charlotte Jordan to continue to convert their shots and the final score ended with a strong score line of 79-37 to Omega. MK Netters also sustained an ankle injury in the final quarter of the game, we hope that all players injured on Sunday from both teams make a speedy recovery!!

Saturday 1st April saw Omega 1 step out on Court for the final game of the season. As newbies to the East Region division our aim was to maintain our spot in the league – to our amazement we ended up winning the league, actually we smashed it – taking 76 points out of a possible 80! Our closest opponent in second place with 56 points.

Our final game saw us play against Essex based Star. From our previous encounter we knew it was going to be a tough and physical game. After having a month off the girls were determined to go out with a strong start taking the first quarter 15-8. The first quarter has been consistently a very strong quarter for the 1s and the strong start has usually won us the game.

The girls returned for the second quarter with the same determination. Even though we had already won the league it was a nervy quarter with several errors however we still maintained our lead, 27-15.

The third quarter again was sloppy, however with great defensive pressure and patient built up we managed to secure a further 12 goals to end the quarter 39-27. The third quarter was Stars strongest but the fightback was too late in the game.

It was the last 15 minutes of the season and the girls were told to go out and enjoy it, which they did.  The final score being 54-39 to Omega.

16 games played and 844 goals scored with 634 goals against, both being the best in the league. We are extremely proud of the team and would like to thank all our supporters this season for pushing us to the final whistle. Also massive thanks to our coach Paul Kenny for putting up with us all.

We are excited to take on Div 2 next season. Watch this space!

It was an early start travelling up to Norwich on Saturday for our game we knew we only had to get 1 point to win the league! Despite the long journey and last minute venue change we was determined to come out on top!

We knew it would be a tough game and so it proved. We came out quickly and strongly in the first quarter with both GS, Charlotte Jordan and GA, Emma Maidment shooting really well and accurately with excellent feeds into the circle by both Lucy Andrews at Centre and Sophie Cockrill at WA.  The first quarter ended with us being 13-7 in the lead.

A change to the GK, sees Hannah Lok take the bench, replaced by Andrea Kinninmonth, who returns from injury and the game continued, fast and frantic into the 2nd quarter, which was much closer in score, with matched play by both teams.    Claire teamed up well with our defence to move the ball quickly down the court. Norwich played well and both teams contested every single ball.   The tension of the determination to win by Omega, was definitely present and the play erratic as a result, with several basic errors allowing Norwich back into the game.  The score at half time sitting at 25-20 to Omega.

A further defence change at half time, bringing Hannah Lok on as GD, moving Hannah Sell into WD and Claire Daws taking the bench and this quarter is much the same as the 2nd….frantic and erratic.   Some great turnovers from our defence players and GD, Hannah Lok managed some great interceptions from their centre passes.    Hannah Sell collides with the Norwich GS and requests time for injury to her back.  She leaves the court after a short period of stoppage time and is replaced by Claire Daws.   The stoppage time allows us to re-group and take stock of our play and play starts again, this time more controlled.  The score going into the final quarter being 36-32 to Omega.

We knew we had to control and play our game to win the match and so it proved in the last quarter.  Both teams continued to score goals from their respective centre passes, but we managed to get a few turnovers and bring the ball quickly down the court.   We controlled the passing much more, but the pressure of the win in sight was ever present, with basic errors being made, breaking centre passes and the pressure to convert goals was evident, but the lead in the first quarter proved too much for Norwich.

The final score 48-46 to Omega – we won the league at our first attempt with a game in hand!!! Congratulations to all the team, everyone has played their part in a fantastic season.

Only three more fixtures to go and Omega are keen to hold on to their top slot on the table, so know this is a key game.  The first centre pass is Christchurch’s but strong defence from GK, Hannah Lok, reading and intercepting the feed into the opposition circle allows Omega to start well, with accurate shooting from GA, Emma Maidment converting the 1st 2 goals with ease.  The whole team work well together all down the court, both linking the passes on the attack play and turning the game over on several occasions.  The score at the end of the 1st quarter giving Omega a great lead at 16-6 in their favour.

The second quarter sees Omega starting a little frantic, they loose their discipline and do not play their usual game, allowing Christchurch to take advantage of their mistake, with equal amount of goals scored by both teams.  But Omega settle back into their play by the 2nd half of the quarter and 3 great interceptions by WD, Claire Daws sees the quarter turn-around.  Omega consider their passing and control their play.  We begin to see some great dodging once again by WA, Sophie Cockrill and GA, Emma Maidment, fantastic feeds from C, Lucy Andrews and strong movement in the circle by GS, Charlotte Jordan as they settle back into the game and steadily building on their lead, with the score at 32-16 by the end of the quarter, ending with Omega holding on to the centre pass as the buzzer goes.

The 3rd quarter starts and it should be Omega centre pass, but somehow,  it goes to Christchurch!  Omega put on the defensive pressure and intercept the ball from Christchurch but swiftly give it back.  They intercept it again, but fail to hold on to it.  Christchurch GA seems to have her eye in in this quarter and punishes Omega, closing the gap.  Some fantastic defending in Omega Circle by GD, Hannah Sell, winning the ball for Omega on several occasions but Omega once again loose their discipline with the ball and loose the quarter 9-12, leaving the score 41-28 to go into the final quarter.

A motivational team chat during the quarter, but both team captains are called to the umpires who express concern and unease with late challenges and ask both teams to be more cautious.   The teams take the court and Omega are ready to give their all for the final quarter.  Once again, some superb defending in the circle by Omega’s defence giving more opportunities to the team to increase their goals.  The attack worked well together with more considered passing and controlled play.  This coupled with the strong defence, gives Omega many more opportunities to convert the goals, which they take advantage of, once again increasing their lead and ending the game 56-35.  A well fought game by both teams, with Christchurch never giving up throughout the game and fighting hard to punish Omega at every opportunity.

Omega were geared up for their return match against Hereward Harriers, all kitted out in their new dresses, courtesy of the sponsorship the Club has been awarded by ‘The College Arms’, Hertford Heath and ‘Jackson Fletcher Ltd – Building Services’…a big thank you to both from the Club.

A motivational talk from Coach, Paul Kenny and Captain, Emma Maidment and they take the court,  knowing they have a lot to prove after their previous performance and what a difference in the play!  The team were determined to get back into the Omega way of playing and focussed well in the first quarter, lining the court when the defence intercepted, controlling their play right into the shooting circle.  The linking of the passing down court is spot on and finished off with superb shooting from both GA, Emma Maidment and GS, Charlotte Jordan.   Two thirds of the way through the quarter and they have already taken control of the game and look like they are set to win it.  A sweet, distance shot from the top of the circle edge by Emma Maidment, kisses the net as the goal is scored.   A free pass to Omega deep in the centre third in the final seconds and WD, Hannah Sell spots that there are only 4 seconds to go, so goes for a final goal with a long ball straight into the circle to Charlotte, but the chance of the extra goal was not to be.   A great lead at the end of the quarter, with Omega winning 18-4.

The second quarter saw more superb teamwork throughout, with several rebounds won by GK, Claire Daws and GD, Hannah Lok, allowing more chances for the team.  This coupled with consistently great shooting by both Emma and Charlotte, fantastic support on the attacking circle edge from C, Lucy Andrews and WA, Sophie Cockrill,  meant an increased lead in this quarter, ending it 37 – 12 to Omega.

Harriers have made changes at half time, with their GA moving into the defence circle, their GK leaving the court and a new shooter coming on, but they have a lot of work to do.  A dummy, coupled with a good dodge resulted in an accurate feed from Lucy to Charlotte, taking the first goal of the 3rd quarter.  Some fantastic timing of her jump when marking the ball, sees Hannah Sell winning some well deserved balls to assist Omega with increasing their lead further.  Steady play by the Omega team results in errors being forced on Harriers and Omega taking advantage and scoring the goals.  The score at the end of the 3rd quarter was 55-23.

Omega persistently hunted the ball at every opportunity in the game and did not slacken this in the final quarter.   Excellent teamwork throughout, resulted in Harriers not being able to break the play down, but they fought hard to the end.   The final 6 seconds and it’s the final centre pass for Omega.  A feed straight into the circle to Charlotte and the final goal is scored just in time for the end of the game.  Omega consistently scored 18/19 goals each quarter, resulting in the final score being 74-30!  What a cracking game, with some loud support from start to finish from injured reserve, Andrea Kinninmonth.

This week saw Omega travelling back to the Essex region for an away game against Bears 2, who were sitting just behind Omega in the table.  The first leg at Leventhorpe saw Omega win 55-48 so it was bound to be another good competitive match.  With Omega being undefeated so far this season, they are now the team to beat so each game is going to be extra tough.

The first quarter was neck and neck and despite several turnovers from Omega, the goals weren’t converted. Bears, however got off to a good start and were clearly up for challenging the group leaders. The first quarter ended with Bears up by 13-11.

The second quarter was similar to the first with not much between the two sides and very evenly matched.  There were several steals from the Omega players down the court but silly mistakes from the whole team combined with a strong performance from the Bears GS kept Omega at bay.  Unfortunately the Omega GS took a bad knock which saw time needed for a short period. She got back up despite not being able to see properly!!! Never great for your shooter!! This was a well fought quarter from both sides, resulting in the scoreline remaining with a Bears two goal lead.  The quarter ended 29-27.

Both sides made some team changes at half time, including Omega bringing on a poorly Hannah Sell to try and increase the pressure on the Bears shooting circle.  The changes didn’t have a strong enough impact and the GS continued to put pressure on the Omega defence. Unfortunately Omega made several mistakes in this quarter and with the Omega GS having difficulty with her vision (and no back up shooter) Omega dropped further, ending the third quarter 43-35.

With pressure mounting, Omega needed to respond strongly in the last quarter to try and close the gap but unfortunately this was not the case. Bears continued to play their GS into the game at every attempt and with high shooting accuracy this proved to be a winning strategy.  Final result was 57-46.

It was clear that Omega did not play their best in this game and it was by far their worst performance of the season but full credit to Bears who played a strong game and played consistently throughout the four quarters.

This was Omegas first defeat of the season but 1 defeat in 11, especially for league  newbies is still something to be extremely proud of which they remind themselves of going into the next game.

For the first home game since mid November, Omega arrived relaxed and ready to take on Grangers. From playing Grangers previously on their home ground, we knew they were a young quick team who would fight to the end. The game started with an intercept from Grangers, but quickly turned back over for Omega to concede the first goal. Grangers showed a strong presence, causing Omega to make a few mistakes, but in Omega fashion we fought back with some great rebounds, interception and spot on shooting leaving the court after the first quarter with a score 17-11

Second quarter, saw Omega come on the court with determination to defend the ball. With Grangers shooters being very accurate the defence had to work hard in reading the ball into the circle, leading to tips and turnovers from everyone. These tips were then converted into goals with our shooters running rings around Grangers defence leading to only 7 goals scored by Grangers while Omega pulled away with a score of 31 – 18 at half time.

Grangers weren’t ready to give up and came back on fighting, but after we started to build an extensive lead we relaxed and played our own game. Picking up on Grangers mistakes we zoned and safely worked the ball down the court into the shooting circle. Passing down the court and especially into the circle was spot on, mixing up with short bounce passes and strong sharp direct balls saw our shooters finish it off with perfect accuracy saw us going into the last quarter on 54 – 29

The last quarter saw Omega pull away to reach the big 7 0! Grangers started to tire and Omega were just getting going! Defence was tight and moral was high with brilliant play from everyone on court. Centre court was very supportive the whole way through enabling the shooters to maintain a very settled atmosphere and maintain their impressive shooting leading to Charlotte (GS) getting Player of the match and finalising a great game against a very friendly team to 70 – 39.