The Evening Post's report on Saturday's game

BOTH Bristol Banners and Bristol & West and were anxious for a win to bolster their promotion chances from Division IX.

But Bristol Banners came out on top and increased their chances of taking the division title.

1. ​
   Bristol Banners attackers, in lilac, compete against the Bristol & West goal defence during the Division XI encounter at the weekend

Both teams were determined to stamp their authority on the game and each quickly scored a goal.

Bristol Banners brought the ball down the court with speed, but the close marking of Bristol & West defence caused them to falter.

Due to Bristol Banners tight all-court marking Bristol & West had trouble building any fluid attack. The shooters were unable to attain advantageous positions for scoring.

With Bristol Banners goalkeeper Lizza Mitchell and Bristol & West goal defence Celia Beale making many spectacular interceptions, the ball sped from one end of the court to the other. In the final few minutes of the quarter, Bristol Banners goals began to drop and they went into the break leading by 8-3.

Bristol & West came out strongly, and with some sharp netball, quickly reduced the lead by scoring three quick goals. Then Bristol Banners tightened up their game and with fast accurate passes, good positioning and consistent shooting they managed to slowly increase their lead.

This unsettled Bristol & West and though the defence worked tirelessly they were unable to retain possession in the centre court with passes going astray or being intercepted. At half time Bristol Banners had stretched their advantage to a significant 17-8 lead. Bristol Banners continued where they left off passing the ball around with speed and precision and scoring freely. Realising that they had nothing to lose, Bristol & West became more focused and started chasing every ball.

With crisper passing, especially around the attacking circle, and more consistent shooting they slowly began to claw their way back into the game. At the end of the third quarter Bristol Banners were leading 21-16.

In the final quarter, Bristol & West put up a good challenge, but nerves got to them and play became erratic. Bristol Banners solid play kept saw them slowly pull even further ahead. Though Bristol & West rallied in the final few minutes they were unable to make a significant impact.

Bristol Banners v Bristol and West 24 March 2012

Score 32 - 21

GK Lizza, GD Deb, WD Emma, C Sally T, WA Maria, GA Sally H, GS Laura, Sub Jo

Today’s match was going to be a challenge. However we were all positive and up for it and after Laura’s training on Thursday, we were confident in our play.

The scores were:

1st quarter – 8-3 Banners lead

2^nd quarter – 17-8 Banners lead

3^rd quarter – 21 -16 Banners lead

4^th quarter – 32-21 Banners won...........

Hooray!!!!

It was a good game by both teams and we really had to play well to get a win today. B & W were a very competitive team and certainly gave us a run for our money. That said, we had some very good moments of play and were more vocal and encouraging to each other.

Well played everyone – it was a great team effort. Thanks to Jo who was not feeling 100% after scoring for the match before but hung on to see if Emma was ok after her flying leap on court which resulted in her landing on the floor.

Also a special thanks to Laura for coming back to play from a ‘hen weekend’ and to Emma for collecting /delivering her to the station. Laura was voted players player so it was meant to be that you were there Laura.

Bristol Banners v Jets 4 March

Score 40 - 18

GK Lizza, GD Deb, WD Julie/Jo, C Sally T, WA Maria, GA Sally H, GS Laura

Previous score 18 - 11

A very positive banners team arrived extra early at the grange today to warm up. We were determined that today was going to be a win after losing last week.

The first quarter was quite comfortable as we worked out our individual partners style of play – we were leading 11 -5. We managed to increase our lead in the second quarter to 18 – 9 and after a team talk decided to mark our players face on whenever they had possession of the ball.  This defensive attitude worked well and we led the third quarter by 29 – 14. We all felt that we were playing much better and using all of the court during play. At the end of the match it was a great result 40 -18.

Well done everyone, it was a fab win and with some great play in the centre but especially strong in both circles. We nominated their centre for our  players player and very fittingly they awarded Sally T their player.  Well done Sally for being fit enough to run up and down so well.

Bristol Banners v Culverhay Cougars 25 February 2012

GK Lizza, GD Deb, WD Jo/Emma, C Sally T, WA Maria, GA Sally H, GS Laura

Final Score 22 - 35

We knew that today was going to be a hard game against Culverhay. We hadn’t played them before but knew they had won all of their games since replacing TJ’s part way through the season.

Unfortunately, Lizza took a tumble during the warm up and hurt her ankle so it wasn’t a good omen!!

After the first quarter, the score was even at 7-7.  We don’t always play our best at the start of matches, so we just assumed we would pick up during the next quarter. This didn’t happen and at half time, we were trailing 18-13.  Cougars were playing a fast game and their marking was very tight.  We did have a moan in our huddle that they were marking from behind on occasions and the contact was not being picked up by the umpires.  We were also aware that we were not coming forward enough and this gave cougars time to intercept our long or overhead balls. At the end of the third quarter, we were way behind 28-18. It didn’t feel good and I think we struggled to get our heads round this. Lizza had to come off during the last quarter as her ankle was swelling up and starting to be too painful to continue. With a few swaps, Jo took her position and did well at such short notice. The final score was 35-22 to Cougars.

We were very deflated afterwards, after all, we have won all 10 of our previous games and forgotten what it felt like to lose.

We gave players player to their GD who was very good and made it quite difficult in the circle for Laura and Sally. Well done to Maria who was given players player from Cougars.

The Warmley Wildcats!

Can you spot Sally H, Sally T and Cath?

A blast from the past!

Warmley Netball Club

by Susie Rushby  For Warmley Netball Club Warmley Netball Club was formed in 1998 by a group of young mums whose children attended a local primary school, competed in a friendly parents v teachers match. Warmley play in Division Nine. This resulted in local women meeting on a Thursday evening to enjoy a game of netball, to socialise and keep fit. After 18 months of training, through the heat of the summer and the cold, wet winter nights, we were invited to join the Avon Netball League. The team started in Division 10 and this year we have been promoted to Division Nine. We were fortunate enough to have been sponsored last year by PJ Engineering and this season by Bristol Banners, many thanks for their contribution. Playing netball is a brilliant way to keep fit and to learn to work as part of a team. Even the children enjoy a game with us now - who knows, they may be our B team one day!

The New Kit 2009