The clocks had gone forward but I’m sure we all found time to shower our mothers with gifts before heading over to the usual stomping grounds of Bedford Academy on the beautifully sunny Mother’s Day game day.

The stage had been set for what was expected to be a hard day of netball. An unknown quantity in Shefford Stars who had only lost two of their previous 6 games and had taken some scalps along the way and then over to a familiar foe in BCNC, who we were set to face on the last game of the day, taking on their Rubies side. Rubies, who we had already faced earlier in the season and had to grind out a hugely competitive win in the dying minutes. How would todays fixtures play out?

Back to a full strength side with the return of MAHWING, the Friday’s training was focused on passing and movement drills, not being static and getting into space as well as some focused shooting for both years 4-6 teams… and here’s hoping as every week the girls can showcase some of this learning on the courts on a Sunday.

The traditional meet ensued which always gets the girls bonded and fired-up for the game, ending on an aptly song by Katy Perry…. ‘ROAR’.

SHEFFORD STARS VS BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES

Onto court 2, followed by a handful of Jades who took the time out to arrive early and support their sister side before they took to the same court directly after.
Captaining the side this week was our teams top goal scorer HABERSHON who was given the honour on the back of her star player performance the previous week. The discussions just moments before the game revolved around trying to win the ‘toss’ and shoot away from the sun as the glare had put a few of the girls off in warm-up.

The decision quickly paid off as Sapphires, shooting away from the sun in the first quarter and towards the car park, they looked positive going forward, stringing a few early passes together and finding space between the Shefford back line.
In truth, expecting Rubies to be the tougher of the two games and needing more of a result there, the girls were lined up against Shefford in not their most natural positions, not where they would typically thrive, with the strategy that the rotations would find their strongest positions all being played when they faced the Rubies at 12.45. Risky!?!?
Early signs suggested no, when in the second minute the sister pairing of AYLING, E and AYLING, G work together beautifully (unlike what they would typically do at home), AYLING, G finding herself in the D and opting to pass to her sister in the favoured shooting position who laid up a flat shot, off the back rim and making it 1-0.

Shefford Stars 0 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 1

Despite looking threatening going forward, often their defensive duties were left wanting a times across the court in all positions with Shefford being able to lose their markers frequently and find space creating more opportunities for the Stars. They were rewarded just before the end of the quarter when they move the ball too easily through the middle to find and opening and finish, bringing the game level.

Shefford Stars 1 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 1

The second quarter moved LYNCH into an attacking position and someone who usually finds goal frequently, we were hopeful to add to the score tally but signs were she had sustained an injury in the 1st and her ankle causing her discomfort. Determined to play on she took to the court and found a number of goal scoring opportunities but seemed hindered with that ankle. It was a much more dominant quarter for the Sapphires but they could not get that illusive goal to get them into the lead and the quarter ended goalless.

As is often the unpredictability of junior netball, the third quarter swung back the other way with pressure mounting from the Stars from lost possession and Sapphires, unlike them, struggling to make passes stick. Defensively we still looked vulnerable at times with Stars moving off of their markers with ease finding space but has often been the way this season, Sapphires can turn it on with a moments notice. Following another missed effort from Shefford and gathering the rebound and quick break away through the court found LEWIS under the net. The confidence over the last few weeks in these positions is clear to see who has grown into her self progressively throughout the season… and with that Sapphires were 2-1 up on the 13th minutes. A goal against the run of play in truth but a welcomed breather all the same.

Shefford Stars 1 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 2

Into the final quarter and there was still a feeling of not being safe and this game was far from won. A game which ended needing more effort than skill and despite, at times the quality not being at their best, the output and resilience never dwindled. This was never more obvious in both HABERSHON and AYLING, E who had put themselves all over the court with a non stop work rate.

A back and forth quarter with opportunities at each end and if Shefford were a bit more clinical in front of the net they probably could of taken the game at times but this is an area of the game where Sapphires have shown great development with goals coming throughout the team. MARTIN this time! 17th minute, her first rebounded and collected herself well only to make sure the second time around.

Shefford Stars 1 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 3

As the game closed out Shefford had a final opportunity to bring the score closer when the muscle and strength on little MAHWING was too much for them and a penalty awarded for contact but sadly for the Stars, this wasn’t to be converted either.
Despite the score line, in fairness the game was much more closely fought. Not some of Sapphires best work but even the best teams have off days and they pulled together to get the result.

Final Score - Shefford Stars 1 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 3

BCNC RUBIES VS BEDFORD TIGERS SAPPHIRES
With the BCNC games scheduled for the third game of the day the girls had that waiting period in between but these lot are never bored when they are together. With the opportunity to cheer on the Jades to a 1-1 draw and demolishing the ‘snack bag’ they were quite content… despite having a few reminders that chocolate eggs and crisps do not make up the diet of athletes and they were still needing to run around a court for another 20 minutes.

Once time came around, those mini-egg cakes might of just done the trick. A perfect start, straight from the whistle from AYLING, E’s centre, a series of quick passes direct into the D found MARTIN with her confidence soaring, finished without hesitation.

BCNC Rubies 0 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 1

Nerves were settled at this stage but looking around the court there was a distinct theme of height and size amongst the Rubies players which was a little unnerving and some early mis-matches in stature was evident.

Nearly as quickly as we had scored BCNC retaliated with an identitical goal, levelling it all back up.

BCNC Rubies 1 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 1

Another opportunity came Tigers way through a nice pass dug out from MARTIN finding HABERSHON for a long range effort but just shooting off target. The quarter was 50/50 with opportunities in both D’s and we could already see it was going to be a ‘tough day at the office’.

Out for the 2nd quarter. We knew all too well the shooting capability of some of the Rubies, having seen this in their previous game and trying to keep them out of our defensive third was proving difficult. The ball landed out wide in the D for BCNC just 2 minutes into the quarter and from a long range effort it was neatly converted, seeing BCNC take the lead for the first time.

BCNC Rubies 2 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 1

BCNC clearly were trying to use their momentum and putting on pressure this quarter which wasn’t helped that we were struggling to find our player when in possession, a trait spilling over from the last game meant passes were just not as crisp as usual and BCNC being the force they are would always capitalise and make us pay. The defending back line was where we held ground and slightly off our typical game meant grit and determination had to be our friend, keeping the Rubies out of the D in anyway possible. Interceptions after interception came from the likes of PYECROFT and HIGGINS with much of the ground being covered by AYLING, E in the centre to pull players out of position and make space.

As they came in from the break at half time, voices were quieter then normal from the girls and they knew they were in a game.
Some days it just doesn't click and when you have those days, you just need to find a way through and it felt like that is what was needed.

The third quarter was spent mainly in our own half, having equal amounts of possession but passing failing to find their target, often searching for the same passes which have worked in previous games but failing against a tall and dynamic BCNC side, hitting the first player down the centre and losing possession. The reliance on the final line of defence was evident but it stood fast through every area of the court, it at times wasn’t pretty but effective. Without a score in the third Sapphires were facing needing to come from behind in the final quarter if they were going to win this but this isn’t unfamiliar territory for these girls and we know they have the staying power for it.

Another re-shuffle of the pack and with some understandably tired faces out there now they gave everything in the 4th. Every loose ball, was chased down, every 50/50 challenged for and each finger stretched, each lunge crucial to just get something on it and see it on its way in the direction of BCNC’s goal.
A ball tipped on early in the quarter, spilling towards the D, HABERSHON jumped on it in her typical ‘all energy’ fashion and pulled the score level.

BCNC Rubies 2 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 2

…and remarkably another within just a minute from a counter attack and quick break away finding ABERSHONH again, first one nervously hitting the rim before her outstretched fingers just got to it ahead of two sets on long arms of the Rubies. Composing herself, she finds the net and takes the lead from being behind most of the game.

BCNC Rubies 2 Bedford Tigers Sapphires 3

There was still a large portion to play for and the game was still easily poised to go either way. Both teams were clearly exhausted and Tigers faces was flushed across the court. The preceding minutes was a fight, a ‘leave everything on the court’ moment with all players emptying their tank and AYLING, E covering every inch of the court disrupting play for the Rubies on so many occasions.
If we can just hang on, play smart, keep possession. It was one of those games we just needed to hear the final whistle.
As the game reached its final minute and play was called for a penalty in the Tigers D for ‘contact’ most thought a draw was destined (and to be honest the fairest result) but the unprecedented miss from a typically clinical BCNC side meant that we had done it again.
The whistle blows, another victory from behind and although it wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t even some of their best netball, its games like these where teams grit out performances and find ways to play for each and get the result that really bring the side together.

As they all gathered and hands come together for a final cheer of ‘1,2,3 Tigers!’ You could see the whole group had put everything in and sea of red faces was testament to that.
Sapphires go into the Easter break, 8 wins from 8 …. But its too early to think about a league win …. Is it? Either way the girls are on a great journey and I for one am actually sad to have a two week break away from it all. What will I do with my Sundays now, where is that adrenaline hit going to come from?

Star Player - AYLING, E
For her consistency and unmeasurable effort throughout both games, having that ‘never say die attitude’ and being that engine in the middle of the court.