Netball pick up points on the road

A long journey down the M4, an unnecessary shortcut down windy country roads, the minibus getting lost and only turning up with time for a five-minute warm-up was not going to stop CardiffÔÇÖs 1st VII on Wednesday.

Despite all elements seeming to be against them, the girls put up an amazing fight as a team, going out hard from the beginning even with so little warm-up time.

Fighting for every loose ball and interception possible, the girls turned it around and made it a very tough and frustrating game for their opposition. Even with some disputable umpiring, the girls showed their strength of character and togetherness ÔÇô led by captain Steph May, they didnÔÇÖt allow the poor decisions get them down.

Their hard work, determination and perseverance eventually paid off as the girls won 49-34, building on the impressive home win over Bristol in the first match of the season the previous week. Jessica Cottrell was voted by the opposition as Player of the Match for her incredible shooting statistics as well as her creative movement in the shooting circle making her difficult to mark.

Another player that stood out was Gemma Bassett, who was pulled up from the second team this week to replace an injured Catrin Bowen ÔÇô despite only playing one quarter of the match, the impact she had was undeniable. Her outstanding defensive skills allowed her to get many tips and vital interceptions that prevented Bournemouth from scoring and bringing the score line closer.

The girls will take great confidence from the result that moves them up to the top of Western Conference 1A ahead of next weekÔÇÖs visit to Bath 2nds, currently one place behind Cardiff in the standings.

CARDIFF: A Powell, J Cottrell, K Scott, H Jones, E Baldock, S May, A Lewis, G Bassett, J McKeon, E Crowley

Emma Noone

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Elsewhere, the 2nd VII lost to Swansea 1sts, the 3rd VII lost to Glamorgan 1sts, 4th VII won against Cardiff Metropolitan, the 5th VII lost to Swansea 2nds, the 6th VII won against Glamorgan 2nds and finally the 7th VII lost to Aberystwyth 2nds.