Netball 1s:
This week in the Varsity netball the University of Sheffield 1s secured a major triumph over Sheffield Hallam with a final score of 48-36. Played at the English Institute of Sport, the support for both teams was resplendent- the stands overflowing with an excitable and devoted crowd.
Speaking to the Hallam co-captains before the game, Becca Beauchamp explained “we’ve been really working on our communication, and keeping calm under pressure. Four of us have been on the team since the first year, so it would be amazing to win altogether.”
With Sheffield scoring the first goal of the game, the first quarter saw Hallam steadily but surely trailing their rivals. Despite the superb long-distance catches of their GD (Bronte Hobson), Hallam’s propensity for overhead passes into the ‘D’ often resulted in them losing possession of the ball. Crowds cheered as Sheffield’s WA (Becky Cooke) performed some excellent misleading throws that ensured the unbelievable scoring streak of their GS (Charlotte Forde). Scoring an impressive goal in the last five seconds, Hallam’s efforts were not quite enough to beat Sheffield’s 15-10 lead.
The second quarter saw the pressure mounting. With some great interceptions from Hallam’s GA (Scarlett Stepney) and Sheffield’s C (Esther Bean), there were some explicit points of contact, resulting in Sheffield’s WD (Jenna Maghaireh) being taken off court with an ankle injury. Despite this setback, they continued to pull ahead- but only slightly. Huge cheers rose for Hallam as the result at halftime became 22-19.
The second half of the game sped up. With some strong, fast passes, Hallam’s defence became impenetrable, making it a struggle for Sheffield to move into the ‘D’. Marking became closer as the Hallam GK (N. Jakuc) whacked the ball out of the GS’s hands. The pressure meeting a tantamount, the Hallam GD was left on the floor after a tussle for the ball. Securing a series of impressive goals, the Hallam team was no match for the Sheffield GS. The final score was 48-36 to the University of Sheffield.
Esther Bean, Sheffield’s 1s captain, spoke of what winning meant to her: “Some people have won before, and others haven’t. It means so much more after having a bit of a difficult season.”
Netball 2s:
The University of Sheffield claimed a 44-39 score victory against Sheffield Hallam in the 2s varsity netball fixture this Monday 16th March. Fueled on by an exuberant crowd at the English Institute of Sport, this game completed their unbeaten streak this season.
The first quarter saw Hallam continually falling behind Sheffield, despite achieving the first goal of the game. With some superb overhead passes into the ‘D’ from Hallam’s GA (Layla Barrett) and GS (Cassie Johnson), they soon managed to match the incredible score streak of Sheffield’s GS (Skye Grattidge). Scoring in the last five seconds, Hallam took away an 11-11 draw.
The Hallam captains, Autumn Ullyott and Cassie Johnson, spoke of the collaborative approach they were aiming for this year. “We’ve had a difficult season… but we’ve really been trying to work more as a unit, as opposed to treating the defence, middle, and shooters as completely separate parts in the mechanism”.
However, the pressure increased as the next two quarters ensured a substantial lead from the University of Sheffield. Playing with a vengeance, marking became closer and more physical; collisions occurring between Sheffield’s GD (Tallulah Gregory) and Hallam’s WA (Lucy Ornsby). The raucous cheers and groans of the audience added to the heat, this clear-cut rivalry advancing from the stands to the court. Eight goals ahead at the end of the third quarter, the University of Sheffield had certainly taken advantage of the occasional lack of defence from Hallam- securing long, overhead passes straight into the unguarded ‘D’.
With a few tentative shots from Sheffield, securing a goal after three lucky rebounds, they continued to pull ahead. Huge shouts of support for Hallam rose as their GK (Erin Lewis) won a scuffle for the ball, and as Sheffield committed contact against their players. However, the superb interceptions from Hallam’s C (Autumn Ullyott) were still not enough to beat the incredible University of Sheffield 2s, the final score landing at 44-39.
This score was “everything” to the University of Sheffield’s captain Tallulah Gregory. “I’m in my third and final year” she explained, “so it’s just fantastic to finish as winners”.
