PUBLISHED 13 October 2021
AKS enjoyed another successful day on the netball courts as the U13 A & B teams both finished runners up in the Fylde & Wyre U13 Netball tournament held at Stanley Park.
An excited A team, with some girls playing in their first ever netball tournament, were lead by Captain and experienced player Lilly G and started the tournament well with an 8 – 3 defeat of Baines School thanks to accurate passing and excellent shooting from Hannah A.
The win saw the teams confidence increase and nerves were more settled for the second game against Millfield. Tight marking and great defending saw us record a second win,10– 0. Superb team play and passing saw us defeat Garstang 12 – 1 and we went into our next game against Lytham High, who had beaten us 3 weeks before, in confident mood. The team put in a fantastic performance to come out on top 5 – 3.
Game 5 saw us up against the strong St.Aidans team who were also undefeated and it was a superb end to end game. The experienced St.Aidans players worked well together and capitalised when we lost possession and at the final whistle they were ahead 5 -3.
Despite this defeat AKS raised their game again, playing some outstanding netball in our last three games to defeat Fleetwood, 16 – 0, Carr Hill 12 – 0 and Cardinal Allen 13 – 0. Outstanding movement in the circle and shooting from Charlotte L and Hannah A kept the score moving along, excellent play in the centre of the court from Lucy W and Lily G linked our attacking and defending thirds and superb defensive skills from Esther T, Ellie S, Emelie B and Amelia H ensured we did not concede a goal.
With 7 wins out of the 8 games the team deservedly picked up the Runners-Up certificates as a reward for their superb efforts and play.
The B team started the tournament well with a 6 - 0 win against Baines to get their first points on the board in the 6 team round robin competition. Sound marking made it difficult for Baines to keep possession and with Poppy M always free for a pass we worked the ball well down into our attacking circle where shooters Ella A and Maisie McK converted well.
The second game against Millfield saw us again take the points with a 4 - 0 win thanks to great defending from Stevie-Jane S and Isla A together with excellent dodging from Poppy M and Erin R who worked the ball well into our attacking circle to create scoring chances.
The third game saw us against a strong St.Aidans side and we struggled to keep possession relying on high passes which were easily intercepted. St. Aidan’s took an early lead but we got on level terms before the break. The second half was a scrappy affair with both teams giving possession away but at the final whistle St.Aidans had managed to get infront to win 3-2.
We knew the next game was Lytham a ‘must win’ one and we started nervously and struggled to keep the ball. Lytham went ahead but we gradually regained our composure and started to move more efficiently to get free and keep possession and at the final whistle we had a narrow 2-1 win.
The final game saw us play our best netball of the tournament which was reflected in the 8-1 winning score line. Improved dodging by Sophia B, Evie A and Grace P saw us find passes more readily and create more scoring opportunities which our shooters Ella and Maisie duly converted.
With four wins and only one loss we picked up runner-up certificates having only lost to eventual winners St.Aidans by a single goal.
Players of the Tournament were Poppy M for her excellent dodgine and Stevie-J S for her superb defending in the circle.