Netball: High-flying Louth find winning form

LOUTH Tennis & Sports Centre A overcame Heath & Hygiene 33-24 in Division One of the Grimsby & District Senior Winter Netball League.

Back for her first match after giving birth to daughter Betsy, Heath's Louise Johnson showed strength and skill when she took the goal-shooter bib.

Working well with goal-attack Jane Woods, they caused problems for Louth's goalkeeper Jan Boyd and goal-defence Lucy Hyde.

Both teams worked well throughout the first half, and with excellent defending from goal- defence Louise Burton and goalkeeper Janine Syborn, Heath went into half-time leading 14-11.

The second half saw the same speed and skill from both sides, but with great link-up between Louth centre Gwyn Little and wing- defence Mel Ritchie, they closed the deficit and pulled ahead.

Louth ultimately ran out 33-24 victors.

Also in the top flight, Franklin College beat MRS Protherm by the narrowest of margins, 22-21.

MRS Protherm took to the court with determination and, with excellent positioning and shooting from goal-attack Amy Allenby, they quickly took the lead.

Franklin fed the ball well to their shooters, but Protherm's goal- defence, Kat Avison, proved to be a menace. With tight marking, a good lean and superb reactions, she was able to quickly turn the ball away.

Protherm led 11-5 at the half-time whistle.

Franklin did not let this half-time score deter them.

Centre Vicki Pannell led the attack, while goal-shooter Catherine Neilson and goal-attack Bethany Robinson finally got their aim on target.

As Franklin launched their comeback, Protherm started to make errors.

Protherm's centre Beth Mascall did her best to secure victory for her side, but it was not to be as Franklin edged it 22-21.

Wright & Gray International won their Division Two clash 27-13 against Blackrow Engineering.

Blackrow are an exciting and dynamic young team with great athleticism and speed.

Their court-play was fast and flowing through to the shooting third.

The final pass into the circle was sometimes frustrated by the excellent defensive positioning of W&G's goalkeeper Jane Wright and goal- defence Narissa Leyland.

W&G are a disciplined and well-drilled unit who feed the ball through to their shooting duo Gill Klug and Rebecca Raworth.

Blackrow's Sophie Gordon and Jade Winfarrah have an excellent understanding and worked the circle well, managing to get into shooting positions, despite the strength of Wright and Leyland.

The difference in the game was the shooting accuracy.

Louth Netball Club secured a 23-12 win over East Trans in Division Four.

This is Louth's first season in the League, and they are fighting for top spot with fellow newcomers Brigg Ladies.

Both teams used the court freely, and with some superb shots from East Trans goal shooter Lisa Wright, the game was very even.

East Trans centre Stacy Schofield and wing attack Sam Page linked well and fed some lovely balls into the D.

The score at half-time was 10-7 in Louth's favour.

The second half saw Louth pull away as centre Emily Hopwood, wing attack Lucy Stapleton and goal attack Jenny Rossi turned the screw.

Goal defence Pippa Dowse and goalkeeper Kylie Watts tightened the defence, ensuring victory.