On February 13th, the Burn FM netball squad stepped out to deliver an unbeatable performance which resulted in a 11-1 victory against the Polsoc B team.
A close 5-2 loss in Burn’s first outing the week prior did not deter the team in their preparations. They felt confident that this could be the game where they took their place as genuine contenders for the league. Within the first two minutes of the game Burn was up 1-0 after goal shooter Saskia Hirst landed the ball smoothly in the net. This was quickly followed by two more goals from Hirst and one from Maddie Jelley whose chemistry in the goal third with centre and wing attack was highly commendable. This resulted in Burn having four goals on the scoreboard by the time the first quarter whistle was blown.
With new team members Bella Shepherd-Evans as centre, and Sadie Iddenden and Cecilia Lockyer as wing attack, the team was stronger than ever. Collaboration between players was clearly Burn FM’s forte, despite the lack of training. Passes flowed, calls for the ball were loud and Burn were fierce with interceptions and marking their oppositions. Although Polsoc secured themselves a goal with an impressive off-the-goalpost bounce pass, Burn continued to add to their score. Shepherd-Evans’ link up play with the attackers from outside the D was proving influential.
Burn FM’s defence were extremely effective in blocking Polsoc’s shots and getting the ball out of their goal third. Despite sustaining an injury after falling gloriously to the floor, wing defence Ella Kipling carried on intercepting balls and working with goal defence Jasmine Sandhar to keep play firmly in Burn’s shooting end. Goal keepers Ellen Knight and Evie Carter were fierce with every ball and not a single free throw ended up in the hands of the opposition. Teamwork was key as the defence worked together by running for every ball and passing with speed and accuracy.
After half time, Milo Glaister, a newcomer to the sport, took his place on the pitch as goal attack and proved his worth. His chemistry with Hirst in the D led to a debut goal, taking Burn FM’s score into the double digits. With goals scored in every quarter of the match, it was only right that Hirst and Shepherd-Evans both received the honour of player of the match as they worked together flawlessly to secure point after point.
The final whistle was blown as the ball left Hirst’s hands and both teams watched with bated breath as it sailed through the air before landing cleanly in the net, marking the 11-1 win for Burn FM.
