Week 11: LB Comets 45 – 36 Dunstable Diamonds

On a beautiful, albeit nippy, Sunday morning, Comets rolled up to perform in their first match of 2018. With a squad of 9 and everyone in need of a run out, captain Julie put a comprehensive game plan in place.

First quarter was a shock to the system to say the least, but with cobwebs blown out we got into out stride. WA Julia and C Anita found the circle easily, complemented by a strong convertion to goals by Pat G. A win 13-11.

2nd quarter and a new combination bringing Barb on at WA and Julie at GD. Just a few adjustments were needed to settle and once again we were into our stride. The extra height in the circle helped to pick off some tips by Michele and Julie. With Michele taking a tumble. A draw 10-10.

3rd quarter and yet more changes. This time Barb to GA and Pip to WD. Another strong quarter throughout the court with exceptional text book play resulting in yet more goals. A draw 9-9.

Final quarter and all to play for at a score of 32-30. This time Barb at GS, Nicky at GA and Celia back in at WD. What can I say…we were hungry for the win and there was NO WAY we weren’t going to get it. Everyone fought hard and performed well to secure the result we deserved. This we did by winning the final quarter 13-8, with a final score of 45-36.

Well played everyone. It was a really enjoyable game with us all pulling together delivering over and above our roles. Player of match could have gone to anyone, but thanks to everyone making her look good with some peachy balls, Nicky was deemed this week’s winner!

Week 8: LB Comets 29 – 27 LB Jaguars

Comets played yet again in the blinding winter sunshine where everyone looked the same in silhouette!!!
Comets started the first quarter really strong and took the lead over Jags 12-7, Excellent feeds into Barb and Nicky into shooting circle and great conversions.
The 2nd quarter saw Jags more settled and with a little more ‘fight’ and good conversions by their GA saw Comets come to the end of Q1 with only a 2 goal lead.
Change of positions to mix it up and confuse our opposition with Julia and Caryn swapping positions (C/WA) – Comets dug deep and with Julie and Shelly trying to intercept balls into a very tall GS – Comets managed to hold onto to the 2 goal lead – 25-23.
Final quarter and both teams came out fighting – attack were fearless against a very physical Jags defence kept their eye focussed on that net. Possession was the aim of the game and best timed interceptions by our Celia – it felt like the longest 15 mins EVER and on the final whistle Comets WON by 2! Final score was 29-27 and to be fair it was a real team effort today and everyone deserved POM but Nicky was the winner. Well played ladies – most excellent win.

Cup Round 1: Comets 33 – 25 Rusty Belles

LB Comets were drawn against one of the new teams into the league – Rusty Belles for Cup Round 1. Playing with a different selection of players to usual, Comets tried different combinations in each quarter. It wasn’t a very good game for Comets and although we were always in the lead we allowed Rusty Belles to catch up and at the start of the fourth quarter we were only winning by 22-21.
We pulled ourselves together in the last quarter and came out winning 33-25. Lesley was POM and it was lovely to welcome our Barb back.

Week 2: LB Comets 21 – 37 A-line Flyers

In the first quarter Comets took a little while to settle, with both Anita (WA) & Caryn (C) out of their usual positions, and we were down 5-11. Moving into the second quarter, with Anita back at C and Caryn WA, this was our best quarter. Comets battled hard to pull back the deficit but A-Line’s shooting consistency improved and Comets trailed 13-18 at the end of the quarter

After half time the heat started to get to us and, despite valiant efforts by the defence (Pat W, Pip & Celia), there were just too many loose balls which A-Line were able to convert. Q3 ended 17-29 so Comets switched thing around for the final quarter. A change in the circle saw Nikki move from GA to GS and Pat G from GS to GA but, sadly, the die had been cast and Comets lost the match 21-37.

Team: Nikki (Capt, GA/GS), Pat G (GS/GA), Caryn (WA/C), Anita (C/WA), Pip (WD), Celia (GD), Pat W (GK), Lesley (Sub)
Comets POM: Celia Green

Week 1: LB Jaguars 29 – 49 LB Comets

Sunday saw the Leighton Buzzard club derby of Jags vs Comets in the first game of the season. Jags started the first quarter steadily, finding their feet, with safe passing up court, and some excellent play. Comets seemed to take on the game at full steam, allowing them to take advantage of Jags’ more steady approach – pulling away early on. Although Jags clearly had a height advantage in the shooting circle with Kate Morton as GS, Comets defence worked together excellently to double mark Kate, and effectively play her out of the game. This put more pressure on Suzanne Taylor as GA who rose to the challenge. However, Comets ended the first quarter 13-6 ahead.
Making one change in the second quarter, bringing on Chris Cowland as GS, changed the dynamics of the game for both teams. Comets changed their defence away from double marking allowing Chris to have more space in the circle which she capitalised on with some fantastic precision shooting. Chris and Suzanne worked well together to control that end of the court. Jane Kidney and Tash Rathbone worked tirelessly in defence to keep Comets goals to a minimum. This along with some excellent centre court play from Sarah Harris and Gillian Hicks saw Jags storm the second quarter – being only one goal adrift at half time 21-20 to Comets.
Changes for both teams at half time saw the game change completely. Gemma Tew came on for Jags as WA, and seamlessly fitted into Jags’ flow, and creating space in the centre court and perfect passing into the circle. However, Comets also made changes – notably to their attacking circle – which Jags found hard to break down. The final quarter followed much the same course. The shooting partnership of Myra and Nicky for Comets proved too much for Jags to overcome, and the final scored ended as 49-29 to Comets
Jags put in a fantastic performance, but Comets’ overall experience and strength saw them take the first LB derby of the season.
POM: Chris Cowland.

Week 1: LB Comets 49 – 29 LB Jaguars

The first match of the season saw Comets up against their newly promoted Club opponents, Jaguars. Both teams started well with Comets converting more shots than their opposition, ending the first quarter seven goals ahead (13-6). In the second quarter however, Jaguars came back into the match with a vengeance having made a positional change in attack. Comets had to fight hard to maintain their lead and the ended the quarter one goal up with the score 20-19.
Comets made a few positional/tactical changes at half time & after a shaky 5 minutes, they found their rhythm with Nicky (GS) & Myra (GA) converting Comets centre passes into goals. This was supported by good interceptions from Celia (WD) and Julie (GK) enabling Comets to increase their lead by 10 goals (34-24)
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With the changed formation, now settled, Comets took control of the final quarter gaining many interceptions in defence. This coupled with great teamwork in attack enabled them to rapidly increase the goal difference by 20 goals finishing the match 49-29. It was a good all round performance by both Club teams, played in a competitive but friendly atmosphere.
Comets POM: Nicky Ward.
Team: Julie(Capt), Nicky, Pat G, Myra, Julia, Anita, Caryn, Shelley, Celia

Division 1: LB Comets 41 – 36 LB Bombers

It was a sunny fresh morning – just right for a game of netball! However, Comets took while to warm up and Bombers took the initiative and streaked ahead, leaving Comets in their trail!

Division 1: LB Comets 39 – 38 Black Pearls

Comets prepared to do battle with Black Pearls – league games are always tough against this team. The match was pretty even in the first quarter with Pearls just edging ahead by two goals…

LB Comets 16 – 21 A-Line Flyers

In torrential rain and on puddled court, Comets realised that a dominoes team or knitting circle may have been a better hobby!

LB Comets 41 – 40 Black Pearls

We’d spotted early on that Black Pearls were only playing with 6 players and it was evens-stevens after the 1st quarter at 9 all…