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.

Omega Regional team travelled to Norwich for their first round fixture against Thoroughbreds.   A different combination in the Omega defence area, due to injury and holiday means an unsettled squad, but a squad that is prepared to give their all.  Both teams, having won one game each so far, are keen for the win.

Omega start the game with the first centre pass and are quick to take the first goal.  The quarter is closely contended by each team, each taking the lead in the opening quarter and the game fluctuating in score, but a few errors in player communication as the team settle in the first quarter, sees it ending 11-10 to Thoroughbreds.

The second quarter starts well for the first half, with  both teams fighting to take the lead once again but each determined to not let their opposition take a lead, with the score even until mid quarter, when Thoroughbreds step up a gear and manage to break a lead in the final minutes, opening the score to 23-29 by half time.

The second half of the game begins with Omega determined to fight back to close the score and this they succeed with a step up in the circle defence from Stephanie Winfield and Nicola Rantell as they turnover and rebound several balls, winning possession for Omega, who award their play.   After a run of 5 consecutive goals for Omega mid-quarter, they close the score to 31-33, but Thoroughbreds battle hard and the next 4 goals are theirs.   Each team push hard in their play, but this quarter is Omega’s and they close the score to 35-38 to Thoroughbreds for the final quarter.

Going into the final quarter, Omega know they have to give all they’ve got to the end and know the game is within their grasp if they can pull back the goals as they did in the previous quarter.   Once again, Omega’s defence are on fire with 7 turnovers between Steph, Nic and Leigh, giving Omega the opportunities they need, but some unforced errors prove costly and Thoroughbreds take the game 49-45.

A well contested game by both teams throughout and a great performance from Omega having travelled to Norwich for the game.   Amazing shooting from both Emma Maidment and Georgia Quinton and strong links through court by mid-court players Lucy Andrews, Zoe O’Neill and Leigh Rees-Reynolds, supported by GD, Nicola Rantell and GA Emma Maidment when needed.   This was a game that could have gone  either way and with each team giving 100% at all times.   A big thanks to Leigh Rees-Reynolds for returning to the squad for the game, having not played regularly for over a year (although her play did not give this away in the slightest!). Omega look forward to the return match which next time will be their home fixture.

Player of the Match awarded by Thoroughbreds to C, Lucy Andrews…well done Lucy.

The first East Region game of the season and Omega meet the winners of division 2 last season so they know they’re in for a tough game with a brand new squad.

The opening few minutes of the first quarter and the Omega team are looking unsettled as many of these players have not played Regional level for several years and the return sees a nervous team.  They struggle to compose, allowing Hornets to storm a 9-1 lead in the 1st half of the quarter, but they regain their composure for the final minutes and claw back 4 of the goals, to end the quarter 8 – 13.

With the nerves finally settled, the team remain unchanged going into the 2nd quarter and this one is contested much more by Omega with the team demonstrating some more structured and controlled attack and solid defence.  Omega should have taken a lead in this quarter, however many forced errors in their attack play result in them winning the quarter by 1 goal, instead of leading going into the 2nd half of the game.

The second half and with a much more settled team, they all retake the court status quo.  The 1st half of the quarter is strong for Omega with many missed opportunities by Hornets and Omega claw back another goal.  However Hornets turn up a gear and retake the control of the game, taking advantage of errors made by Omega costing them the lead in the game at this point.  Hornets attack play reward their team with the goals and once again they increase their lead.

Going into the final quarter 7 goals down, Omega are keen to fight and give their all for the remainder of the game.  The quarter begins with each team matching goal for goal, but the use of fresh legs by Hornets, prove too much for the tired Omega team, who once again begin to error and Hornets are happy to knock up the goals on the scoreboard at every opportunity.

Player of the Match is awarded to GS, Georgia Quinton by the opposition.