The University of Birmingham’s Netball 3rd team ‘hosted’ the University of Birmingham 2nd team on Wednesday the 26th October, with the 2nd team coming out on top 38-23, however both teams are still near the bottom end of Midlands 1A league.
Before the game there was clearly an unusual feeling as both teams were playing against familiar opponents they see often in training, not only this but the thought of the 3rd team beating the 2nd team would raise many questions.
However, during the first quarter this is exactly what happened, starting with a frantic pace, certainly not like a training match, the 3rd team jumped out into an early lead that would see them go into the first break 10-8.
The close encounter continued through the second quarter, albeit at a slightly slower pace, which began to frustrate the 2nd team. Although the 2nd team would then score quickly in the last couple of minutes tying the game up 15-15 at the half.
The game changed in the third quarter, as the 2nd team started to exert their dominance early, as the 3rd team began to tire. This culminated in 6 unanswered scores for the 2nd team who after taking the lead for the first time in the third quarter would never look back.
The @UOBNetball 2s are trying to get themselves back into this game with points such as this one, but the 3s still lead 13-11 in the 2nd Q! pic.twitter.com/a6d6DSrCGU
— BurnFM Sport (@BurnFM_Sport) October 26, 2016
The final quarter of the game was more lacklustre, as the pace slowed and the 2nd team further showed their dominance and extended their lead. The 3rd team could no longer keep up like they did in the first half of the game and eventually succumbed 23-38.
So, after a very entertaining battle in the first half, it seems that eventually the 2nd team showed why they are the 2nd team, as they sharpened their shooting and then closed the game out in comfortable style, moving them clearly ahead of their opponents, and leaving the 3rd team in last place.
