The first Division 1 game ever in the East Region League for Omega and we meet local team Turnford who finished runners up in the league at the end of last season. Omega were nervous for their first game after gaining the promotion last season. A newly formed team, with Emma Maidment and Lucy Andrews both out, imminently expecting their 2nd child each and some of the new squad not available.
Turnford start the game and a great steal from Omega’s WA, Sophie Cockrill mid-court sees Omega taking the first goal…an unexpected start to the game which gives Omega an early boost. Turnford loose a centre pass, but Omega fail to maintain possession as the Turnford GD reads the game well and intercepts the ball before it reaches our shooters. Omega’s GK, Phoebe Gillen returns the favour as she is next to steal the ball as Turnford attempt to pass at the shooting circle edge and Omega take the ball down court but loose it again on a feed to our GS. GA, Natalie Faal intercepts a Turnford Centre pass and takes it to her circle partner, GS, Charlotte Jordan, who converts the goal. Another intercept by Phoebe is quickly lost with a replay of the ball mid-court. Omega fight goal for goal and at an equal 5-5 score, the Turnford WA footworks to give Omega an opportunity to take the lead, but this is short-lived as WA, Sophie Cockrill is called for a held ball as the shooters are hidden behind their players. Tight Omega defence sees Turnford struggle to feed their shooters in the same vein and another held ball call allows Omega the opportunity to take to goal but once again the Turnford GD reads it well and intercepts. Phoebe steals yet another ball from the Turnford shooters, but as soon as it’s taken, it’s given straight back. In the final 30 seconds of the quarter, Turnford C goes offside in their shooting circle and Omega take to goal, followed by the final Omega centre pass, which we loose as Charlotte contacts the Turnford defence under the post, leaving the score 11-8 in Turnford’s favour.
Turnford make some errors at the start of the second quarter and Omega succeed in converting the goals to punish their opposition, allowing them to equalise. However some poor passing in our attacking third takes away the chance of taking the lead, giving possession to Turnford who capitalise on the errors and are the ones to take a 2 goal lead. Turnford’s GS is called for contact on a couple of occasions this quarter and Omega take advantage of one occasion, but miss the shot on the second occasion and Turnford take the rebound and take the ball to goal. A dropped ball in the Omega shooting circle sees the ball swiftly finding the Turnford attacking circle, but they miss the shot and GD, Claire Daw claims the rebound. Possession is brief as Turnford intercept, but ownership for them is also short-lived as Phoebe once again wins possession. Omega take it to their shooting circle once more, but again loose it and Turnford take the goal. A better second quarter for Omega as they win the quarter 14-12, leaving the score at 22-23 to Turnford going into the second half.
The final centre pass of the 2nd quarter is a deja-vue experience from the earlier Omega 2 vs Watford game, where the opposition are slow at returning to the centre circle for the final centre pass as the final few seconds remain on the clock and once again, Omega are expecting a ‘delayed play’ call, but once again, it is not given and Turnford start the 3rd quarter. A held ball call against Turnfords GA gives possession to Omega, but the shot is missed and Turnford take ownership and score the goal. GD, Claire Daws intercepts for Omega, giving back opportunity for goals for her team. Turnford centre pass is lost as Omega apply pressure and the ball goes off the side line. Omega take advantage of possession, taking the ball to their shooting circle but a pass between their GA and GS manages to end up out of court, crossing the goal line. More strong defence applied by Omega sees Turnford throw the ball off their goal line and Omega succeed in stealing a goal and taking a 2 goal lead 5 minutes into the quarter, but Omega loose a centre pass, allowing Turnford to equalise and take the lead again. Omega’s WA picks up a caution for persistent offside this quarter and Turnford increase their lead to 5 goals by the end of the quarter.
Omega start the final quarter, but fail to keep possession, however Turnford loose the ball with an over third pass. A good minute and a half into the final quarter and the first goal is scored by Omega, thanks to an interception won by Claire Daws. A clean steal of the ball by WD, Molly Brett gives Omega another opportunity and GA, Nat Faal rewards with a goal. A loose ball is chased by Nat, which she passes back to Claire Daw at the traverse line, but with two Turnford players on her, Turnford steal the ball and the goal. Turnford maintain a 4 goal lead with under 7 minutes of the game remaining. Omega make many minor errors at this point, which prove costly and allow Turnford to increase the lead. The game ends with a final score of 41-49 to Turnford.
A great first game for a newly formed Omega team in their first ever Division one game in the East Region League, particularly against an established opposition. The team gave their opposition a great game, fighting for the game throughout and keeping it close right up to the final quarter, so a game and result they can be proud of. A big thanks to Molly Brett and Nicola Rantell who had already played the earlier Herts County League game and also to Charlotte Ramejkis for coming along as reserve.
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