U10's at Oakham School Tournament

v Witham, lost 3 – 7 
v Glebe House, won 10 – 2 
v Akeley Wood, lost 1 – 4 
v Fairfield Prep, won 4 – 3

In plate Competition: 
v St. John’s College, lost 4 – 6 
v Brooke Priory, lost 4 - 5

Squad: Emily H, Clare T, Amelia W, Gabby N, Georgina T, Beth M, Georgia R, Imo C.

This was the second tournament of the term for these girls, but the standard was considerably higher than the last, with them competing against the strongest prep. Schools from Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands, Derbyshire and Norfolk. We faced Witham (eventual tournament winners), in the first game and despite drawing 3 – 3 with them at half-time went on to lose 3 – 7, after a lack of playing consistency in the second half. After regrouping we went on to have a fabulous game against Glebe House, with shooters Emily H and Clare T rarely missing, winning 10 – 2! The 3rd game saw a repeat of the 1st, despite drawing 1 – 1 with Akeley Wood at half-time, a disastrous 2nd half once again saw us being beaten 1 – 4 in this game. In the 4th game, against Fairfield Prep, a strong netball school, there was carnage on court, with Georgia R receiving a nasty blow to the nose, which bled profusely and other players from both teams also falling over. Our girls upped their play to the next level and battled superbly to ensure we won this game 4 -3! It is the nature of tournaments – despite having beaten Fairfield, they then went on later in the day to win the bowl competition!
We faced two tough games in the afternoon and luck was not always on our side umpiring-wise. That coupled with a lack of playing consistency and a slowness to switch from attack to defence mode, saw us losing 4 – 6 to St. John’s (eventual plate competition winners), and Brooke Priory 4 -5.
Many lessons were learnt on this day, but our under 10s do have the capability to play stylish, slick netball. Now we need to work on seeing it all the time and not just for some of the time. Many thanks to our superb supporters for really giving the under 10 and under 12 girls a boost!
DLB