NETBALL: Emma on form as Bann narrowly beaten

Bann worked hard during their pre-season to learn new attacking and defensive tactics that would help them in this tough league.

Bann had a strong first half with the team working determinedly together to break the play of this solid Belfast side.

In the defensive circle, Amanda Johnston and Christine Cartmill showed the Belfast attack that they were not a force to be reckoned with gaining some beautiful tips and interceptions, which Bann needed to stay ahead in the game.

Joanne Kerr, Emma Boyd and Lynn Donaldson worked tirelessly throughout the mid-court, ensuring that the intercepted balls were passed safely to the Bann shooters who eagerly converted them to goals. At the end of the first half, Bann were ahead of the Belfast side.

Bann went into the third quarter determined to keep hold of their lead but the Belfast Ladies defence made it very difficult for the Bann attackers to get the ball into the circle.

The fast paced quarter forced errors from the Bann side which Belfast Ladies readily capitalised on to ensure they took the lead over a resilient Bann side. At the end of the third quarter Belfast had stolen the lead from Bann. Bann made a change in the fourth quarter replacing Joanne Kerr with Cathy Buchanan.

Bann’s repressive attacking force of Emma Boyd in C and Lynn Donaldson in WA worked the ball dynamically around the circle to beat the Belfast defence finding Sarah Porter in GA and Emma Cartmill in GS who converted some much needed goals for the girls.

Bann’s impressive effort in the fourth quarter was not enough to see them win the game. Belfast Ladies won 52 to 41.

Player of the match: Emma Boyd

BANBRIDGE: Christine Cartmill GK, Amanda Johnston GD, Joanne Kerr WD, Emma Boyd C, Lynn Donaldson WA, Sarah Porter GA, Emma Cartmill GS. Sub: Cathy Buchanan (WD)