Sport
The Review Online
Hereford Sixth Form College Netball Team – Regional College Champions!
11th March 2009
Match: Regional British Colleges Netball Cup Final
Date: 25th January
Opposition: Hartpury
Venue: Hereford Sixth Form Sport Hall (Home)
Score: Hereford 31 - Hartpury 30
Hereford player of the match: Ella Langford (C)The chance of being regional champions faced the girls in what was the biggest match many of them had ever played. With a large crowd, and the huge expectation that comes with a final, each of the girls was incredibly nervous.
Hereford started the match with incredible intensity, immediately taking control. With excellent work from Ella Langford (C), Natasha Davies (WA) and Kate Morgan (GA), they began to dominate. Langford and Davies broke up the Hartpury defence, getting the ball to Helen Hancock (GS). Hancock continued the enthused form she demonstrated in the semi-final. With incredible ease, she scored on almost every shot. The defence was also playing brilliantly, restricting Hartpury’s offensive play. May Blackman-Howard (GK) made it very difficult for Hartpury to score, intercepting the ball on many occasions. Anna Mulderrig (GD) played at an incredibly high level throughout the match and, with the raw power and speed of Jade Finney (WD), the pair made it difficult for Hartpury to get into shooting positions. Hereford came in at the interval with a 10-7 lead, playing at an unbelievably high level.
In the second quarter, Hereford played even better! Hartpury upped their game but the girls were in imperious form, controlling the pace of the match. Finney played an outstanding quarter. Her superb agility, footwork and sheer pace made it impossible for Hartpury’s attacking players to have any impact. Langford and Davies were also playing terrifically. The pair used the wings well, either passing the ball into the goal circle or across the pitch to each other. This enabled Morgan and Hancock to continue the goal rush and Hereford extended their lead from the first quarter and looked set to win.
Jade Finney was substituted in the interval having used up a lot of energy and Emily Pedersen (WD) was brought on. In the third quarter Hereford’s level dropped and Hartpury began to dominate. Hartpury moved their dominant GK to GA and this upset Hereford’s rhythm. A few silly errors began to creep in and Hartpury took full advantage. At one stage Hartpury took the lead and the girl’s confidence looked like it was slipping away. Langford then turned the match back in Hereford’s favour as she dominated the mid court, allowing the girls to pull a few goals back, going into the fourth quarter leading 23-22.
Both teams gave everything they had in the fourth quarter. At one stage Hartpury began to dominate again. However, Morgan showed incredible character and mental strength as she scored twice from the edge of the goal circle putting Hereford back on top. Hereford turned over a few of Hartpury’s centre passes to remain ahead and they claimed a superb victory to book themselves a place in the British College’s National Cup quarter final!
The commitment of coaches Jenna Griffin, Sophie Wright and Emma O’Donnell should not go unnoticed. The three have worked incredibly hard with the girls all year and without their dedication the girls would certainly not be at the stage they are now.