Omega Netball Club News

The first game of the new year sees Omega 1 travelling to Hockley, Essex, to play Billericay.  The nerves are ever present after the indulgent festivities, but they soon settle as the teams take the court.   Billericay win possession of the ball from Omega, as Omega make silly errors allowing Billericay to steal the ball.  However, the Omega shooters prove more accurate than their opposition, allowing Omega to take an early lead of 4 goals by the end of the 1st quarter (9-13).

The Billericay team chat obviously stirs them as they return to court ready to fight for the game.    Omega demonstrate some great ball control, re-adjusting their play when the front ball is not on, however their error is not meeting the ball and Billericay seize the opportunity to intercept and take possession on several occasions, which allows them to secure more goals than Omega in the 2nd quarter, bringing the game to even scores my half time (25-25).

A focussed team chat during half time, along with a defensive change for Omega.   The teams are evenly matched in their court play, each intercepting the ball down court,  turning the game in their favour a half dozen times, but once again the accuracy of the Omega shooters is superior.   The Omega team are not about to give up and are upbeat as they once again take a 4 goal lead to end the 3rd quarter (34-38).

With the end of the game in sight, both teams are eager to secure the win.   Billericay close the gap once more, but it is short lived.  Some interceptions by the Omega defence and controlled, safe ball play down court, allow Omega to once again increase their lead, maintaining and slowly increasing it as the quarter proceeds.  Solid and consistent umpiring by both umpires  allowed both teams to compete for the game throughout,  with both teams determined and playing in great competitive spirit.   The game ends with the final score being 50-44 to Omega.

Omega arrive at ‘The Leys’, Cambridge, knowing that the 2nd half of the season is going to be tough and we’re ready for strong competition for the 1st game in the 2nd half of the season.  Co-Jags did not disappoint in this and came at us hard.    Down to bare 7 players, with one player having arrived home from Australia late the previous evening, Omega knew they’d have to dig deep for their final pre-Christmas game.

A great start in the 1st quarter, with Co-Jags defending hard and turning the game to their advantage on several occasions, however, Omega also won back many balls and with accurate, consistent shooting from both teams, Omega took an early lead of 16-13 to end the quarter.

Second quarter and Co-Jags come out determined, whereas Omega lost their rhythm.  Co-Jags won the ball more than Omega and with continued high goal conversion, secured their needed goals, winning the quarter 11-9 and reducing Omega’s lead to 1 goal going into the 2nd half.

Omega needed a serious chat and were told to focus and play their game, which they did in the 3rd quarter, making that quarter a winning one for them.  Maintaining ownership of the ball and winning the ball over 50% more than their opposition, Omega capitalised on their improved play, winning the quarter 17-11, increasing their lead once again, giving them a 7 goal advantage going into the final quarter.

The increased gap in the score proved too much for Co-Jags to pull back.  Omega, down to bare 7 again fought hard to sustain their unbeaten status and showing great determination, particularly in the 2nd half, succeeded, winning the game 53-45.  A great end to the pre-Christmas games, holding a comfortable 10 point lead at the top of the table!

This week Omega travelled to Star to play the final game of the first round. Travelling with a bare 7, Omega new it was going be a tough, physical game.

A tough physical game is what Omega got. The first quarter is usually one of the best quarters for Omega however this was not the case. Misplaced passes and silly mistakes saw Omega fall behind 6-8 at the end of the first quarter.

After a strong talking to from our coach and captain, we were told to let the ball do the talking. Omega went back onto the court in the second quarter feeling more confident and determined to fight for the ball. Plenty of turnovers and pressure from Omega’s defence allowed more opportunities for the shooters to put the ball up. Both shooters confidence grew as the game went on. This reflected in the score ending 22-18 to Omega.

Praise was given during the half time team talk for the work and determination to come from behind to go 4 goals up. Omega were told to continue this pressure throughout the third quarter. Great feeds from the centre court and movement in the circle extending our lead even further to 39-27.

The last quarter was critical. With Star making several changes and fresh legs to come onto the court, Omega stuck with the same 7 (due to only 7 travelling). Omega dug deep and were told to keep possession but work it to goal. Excellent pressure from the defence made it difficult for Star to get their shots in. Final score ended 55-40 to Omega.

Thanks to the supporters that travelled with us today.  This game concluded the first round of our first season in the regional league. To be undefeated after just being promoted into the league has exceeded all of our expectations. May it continue into the second half of the season.

This was a top of the table match between Omega and 2^nd placed Norfolk. As you would think the first quarter was fast and furious with both teams trying to settle into their rhythm of play. Both defences were strong from the start making some great interceptions with the score finishing 12 -11 to Norfolk.

Second quarter Omega came out fighting trying to make up the one goal deficit. Good centre court support helped our shooters settle and score some excellent goals. Norfolk matched us in effort but with strong and aggressive defence Omega managed to finish the first half winning 26-21.

With some fresh legs after making a few team changes Norfolk closed the gap with some excellent shooting and possession around the court but Omega stayed focused and held the lead to 34-31.

After an encouraging team talk from the coach and captain Omega was determined to win this game. Our defence played amazing and after many interceptions Omega worked it well down the court feeding into the circle and finished with some impressive shooting. No doubt, Norfolk played their part with their strong defence and great shooting! However Omega’s confidence grew in the final quarter and they ran out winners 45-35.

A great game of netball played in a good competitive spirit by both teams!

Another solid performance from The 1st team this weekend, against Christchurch. With only the bare 7, the whole team put in 100% throughout the game.  Omega started with a solid first quarter, making some great interceptions from the attacking circle all the way down to defence.  The score at quarter time reflected the efforts with omega up 17-9.   A team chat lead by coach and captain encouraged the team to reduce the speed and keep control.

The second quarter showed another great performance from the 1sts with great goals scored by player of the match, Emma Maidment.  Converting the majority of interceptions, Omega finished half time 33-18 up.  Half time talk encouraged controlled play, to keep safe possession of the ball towards goal.

Christchurch came back fighting in the 3rd and final quarter, also scoring some great goals, with brilliant interceptions from their player of the match, WD. The 3rd quarter saw a score of 46-31 to omega.

The final quarter was as challenging as the first 3, with Christchurch pushing towards omega throughout.   However, good possessional team play saw omega take the points with a final score of 56-41.

Omega came out determined at the start of the game, taking an early lead of 6-1 within minutes.  Strong defence, with several interceptions made throughout the court, kept Harriers goals down to just seven in the first quarter, allowing Omega to increase their lead at the end of the first quarter to 14-7.

The teams take the court for the second quarter and Omega are focussed on increasing their lead with 16 turnovers throughout the quarter.    Harriers are let into the game by silly errors in the passing made by Omega, but the defensive play of the entire Omega team scupper Harriers chances of reducing Omega’s lead.  Omega storm ahead increasing their goal lead by 11 by the half time.

Harriers make some team changes in an attempt to come back into the game, but once again, Omega are strong on their defensive play,  gaining 14 steal and turning the game to their advantage, allowing them to retain and increase their lead further by the end of the 3rd quarter.

The final quarter and both teams are on the attack.   Fantastic control of the ball by Omega and many more interceptions, sees them maintaining ownership of play to end the game on a high.  This controlled play means they not only retain possession of the ball for their own centre passes, but steal the play from Harriers on many occasions, taking advantage of this and converting the shots to valued goals.    The highest scoring quarter for both teams, with Harriers scoring 8 and Omega scoring 16.  Consistent defensive play, with a high number of turnovers made by the team throughout the game, left the final result as 50-28 to Omega.

Our fifth East Region game having just been promoted from the Herts County League and we’re on a winning roll and long may it last!

A successive 4^th win for Omega 1 in another very tough East Region game against Bears. The game started very evenly with consistently matched shooting from both sides and with similar amounts of turnover by both teams which led to a very close 1 goal lead at the end of the 1st quarter to Omega with the score being 12-11.

Omega were quick off the mark in the second quarter ensuring that the first centre pass was successfully converted and with all of the team playing defensively and ensuring that pressure was applied to every pass. This allowed Omega to significantly increase their turnovers with interceptions being made throughout the team. This coupled with some exceptional attacking play and insightful passes by the centre court players presented the Omega shooters with the opportunity to pull away and they successfully took their chances ending the quarter with a 7 goal lead, with the score at half time being 29-22 to the home team.

Bears were not ready to concede the game and applied a huge amount of pressure making key interceptions and converting their chances. However, Omega responded well and matched the competitive nature of the game and the teams appeared be cancelling out each other’s efforts for one to pull away to win the 3^rd quarter, resulting in both team scoring the same amount of goals and making the same number of turnovers and at the end of the 3^rd quarter the score was 42-35 to Omega.

The 4^th quarter saw a continued fightback by Bears who played some great netball and continued to apply a huge amount of pressure to Omega. Omega remained disciplined with their play and demonstrated great control of the ball to ensure that they did not let their lead diminish against an onslaught of pressure from Bears and this again resulted in a very evenly matched quarter with some great interceptions made by both teams and the shooters of both sides converting any chances they were given. After a fantastic game by both teams the final score was 55-48 to Omega.

Another great win for Omega 1 in their second East Region game against Billericay. The game started off with superb shooting from Billericay, giving them an early lead but Omega responded well, closing the gap to just two goals by end of the first quarter, leaving the score as 13-11 to Billericay going into the second quarter.

Omega came out fighting with a change of centre court defence strategy, which closed down the Billericay attack, enabling Omega to dominate the play.   Additional pressure in the defensive circle with another tactical change, saw Billericay miss shots, which in the 1st quarter they would have converted.   Omega’s discipline was solid and their control of the ball was greatly improved.   Several interceptions by Omega, coupled with accurate shooting resulted in Omega scoring 15 goals in the 2nd quarter, compared to 8 by Billericay, resulting in the scores by half time being 26 – 21 to Omega.

Billericay were not ready to concede the game and came back into the third quarter very strong.  A change in their shooting circle saw Billericay’s conversion rate improve once again, scoring 19 goals in the quarter.  That, along with Omega’s ‘telegraphed’ passing, enabled Billericay to take control of the quarter, changing the lead in their favour.  The third quarter ended with Billericay having the advantage going into the final quarter, leading 40-36.

A tactical change by Coach, Paul Kenny, going into the final quarter proved to be a great decision.  The final quarter and Omega were determined as they took the court.   They fought hard to win back the ball, intercepting several times, holding onto the advantage gained and converting to valuable goals.   The final quarter belonged to Omega, who once again owned the play, intercepting and controlling the ball and scoring each time.  With the win in sight, Omega reverted to possession play, to retain ownership and control of the ball, only moving it forward into the shooting circle when a safe to do so.

A fantastic game by both teams, neither of which were ready to concede and both of which fought to the bitter end.  The final score was 49-47 to Omega.

A fantastic start to the East Region League saw Omega 1 win their first fixture, 45 – 33.    Although a very nervous and tense start for the Omega Team, which resulted in a draw of 11-11 at the end of the first quarter, they found their feet thereafter, taking a 3 goal lead by half time.

The whole team played with great determination, fantastic team effort and experienced ball control, extending their lead by 8 goals by the end of the 3rd quarter.    Co-Jags fought back and closed the lead, but Omega was not ready to concede the game.  The entire team began defending the ball all down the court, resulting in interceptions being picked up to turn the game around and the shooters converting the turnarounds into goals each time.

An exciting game with matched game play and skill levels displayed by both teams.  The game could have gone either way, but Omega dug deep, sustaining and increasing their lead in the final quarter.