Omega Netball Club News

The final game of the East Region 2023/24 season and Omega face their nemesis team, Bears.  It’s been a while since Omega have beaten Essex based, Bears but they are keen to end the season on the high and know that if they play as they have for this second half of the season, they can take the win they strive for.

A shaky start with Bears swiftly gaining the first three goals, but Omega begin to take hold and quickly even the score taking the next 3 consecutive goals.   The defence get into their stride easily and begin to tighten as the quarter plays out, applying the pressure on their opponents.   Some speedy and frantic play in the attack end, but in the later minutes of the opening quarter, they start to compose and gain a slight lead on the scoreboard, ending the quarter 11-7 in our favour.

A great start to the second quarter with the team linking well and gaining more control in their play.  This results in them opening the lead to a comfortable 9 goals by mid quarter and they look more composed  in the game.  The defence close down the shooters, limiting the usual feeds into Bears holding GS, making it more difficult for their opponents and with the pressure applied, some of the feeds go off the goal line and Omega gain possession.

By start of Q3, Omega are up by 7 goals with a low half game score of 24-17.  They maintain and increase their lead by 10 goals in the first half of the quarter, but begin to loose their composure and focus, allowing Bears to claw back and remain in the game.    Bears take this quarter 10-8, but Omega continue to lead in the game going into the final quarter with a score of 32-27.

The team chat in the final interval advises t0 keep focussed on their own game and regain composure.    A scrappy start to the final quarter sees Bears level the score in the opening half and Omega fighting to regain the lead.  Some goal for goal play with levelling scores each time occurs in mid quarter and Bears take the lead by 1 goal for the first time in the game.  However, Omega are not ready to concede the game and give their all to once again take the lead and their efforts pay off in the final minutes as they end the game with a 42-40 win.

A game of 2 halves and one that Omega had in the bag, but in the final half had to fight for with grit and determination to take the game.  They succeeded and take a further 5 points to the table, ending the season with a final 5th place positioning, which is a big achievement considering the end of the 1st half of the season, relegation was looking to be on the cards.  The second half of the season has seen the team gel and grow together, with new players settling well and complimenting the squad.   A great bedding in season of a new squad, which looks promising for next season if they continue to pull together as a team as they have this 2nd half of the season.

Opposition awarded Player of the Match goes to GS, Georgia Quinton.

The penultimate fixture of the East Region League and Omega meet Eastwood, knowing that this is a key game and they need the win.    With GA, Emma harbouring an injured ankle from the previous game against SAS, the team are nervous about her lasting the full game, but a backup plan had been practiced earlier in the week in preparation.

Both teams come out hard in the 1st quarter, however both are also keen to gain the win and the added pressure is evident with the number of unforced errors made by each team.  But with Eastwood up 6-3 by mid 1st quarter, Omega know they need to compose and take ownership of the game.   Great attack play by Leah Badham who is constantly moving to find the space and give options to her team when the 1st move is not on.   Both teams are quick to capitalise on the unforced errors made by their opposition, but Omega succeed in taking a 1-goal lead by end of the quarter.

Eastwood bring on Rachel, a very tall GS in the 2nd quarter in an attempt to gain control of the game, however, Omega make very few errors in this quarter and the shooting accuracy from GS, Georgia Quinton is at 92% and this alongside some solid defending by the defence team, Hayley, Steph, Sam and Nic who gain several turnarounds between them,  and great ball movement and positioning by GA Emma, teamed with the mid court team, Lucy, Zoe and Nic, allow Omega to open the lead by half time to 25-21.

Seeing that Omega’s shooters are on fire, Eastwood move their tall GS back to GK for the 3rd quarter. but this has very little impact on the game.  Omega maintain control and composure in the opening minutes of the 2nd half of the game, increasing their lead to 7 goals, but Eastwood are not ready to concede the game and close the lead to 3 goals by mid quarter and down to 2 by end of the quarter, with a score of 36-34 going into the final quarter.

Omega return to the court, aware that this is their game if they maintain control, discipline and composure in the final quarter.   The team are on fire and rattle the Eastwood defence as the score consistently increases in Omega’s favour throughout the quarter.  Eastwood become increasingly agitated as the umpire calls punish them for lack of discipline in their defence end and Omega reap their rewards at every opportunity.  Omega’s confidence grows throughout the quarter and it’s evident in their play and the final score of 55-44 to Omega.

A very well fought for game by Omega, who showed grit and determination throughout.  A well deserved Player of the Match was awarded by Eastwood to GA, Emma Maidment, who was key to the success of the game, played amazingly and managed to last the whole game on an injured ankle!