Week 2: LB Harriers 36 – 48 Red Stripes

After ending last season with what seemed like half the team out of action, Harriers were in a bit of shock to find themselves with 9 players warming up for their first game. This enthusiasm for a new, lively squad definitely showed in the first quarter with Harriers throwing themselves into the line of all Red Stripes passes and turning over dropped balls. Harriers ended the first quarter in the lead. The second quarter was extremely close again but saw Red Stripes switch some players which threw Harriers off slightly and they were down at half time.
From then on, Stripes increased their lead and their experience showed against Harriers new line-up. Despite some excellent shooting in this high-scoring game, combined with incredible speed and agility from our mid-court players and great turnovers from Alex in her first real netball match – Stripes were too far ahead for Harriers to pull back. The final score was Red Stripes 48 – 36 Harriers.
POM: Shared between Coral (GA) and Claire (C)

Week 2: LB Spitfires 38 – 16 Rusty Belles

After a disappointing loss last week, Spitfires went out with new determination and took the lead straightaway. Defence took advantage of loose balls and kept the pressure on for the whole game. Attack worked tirelessly and fed some beautiful balls into the attacking circle. Their hard work was rewarded with a convincing win as they prevented Rusty Belles from managing to get half goals. The final score was 38-16 to Spitfires.
POM Mia Howlett (GS)

Week 2: LB Hurricanes 36 – 13 LB Eagles

Hurricanes are proving themselves a strong united team already only a couple of weeks into the season. This week drawn against Leighton Buzzard youth team, Eagles, they had a rocky first quarter that ended too close for comfort. But Hurricanes worked hard and ended in a comfortable win 36 – 13
POM: Maddie Maxwell (GA/GS)

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

League Cup Round 2: LB Jaguars 34 – 33 Wyvern Grangers

Despite Wyvern only having 6 players, Jags knew it was going to be a tough game against this Premier side on a cold morning…

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 2: LB Jaguars 44 – 23 Yellow Tornadoes

This week Jags struggled a little with getting a team but finally Emily came to the rescue and seven bibbed up for the match…

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!