by Sarah Baker

On 10th February, Swansea’s netball 1st and 2nd team played against Cardiff Metropolitan in the Western 2b and 4b league.

First to play was Swansea’s 1st team against Cardiff Metropolitan’s 2nd. Both teams started the game with enthusiasm and spirit, although it was not long until Cardiff took possession and began an early lead. Swansea presented some struggle to move free and dodge their opposition quickly, but Beth Phillips, the clubs first captain playing wing attack, managed to get some great feeding opportunities to her players to progress across the court which enabled a strong attack, but Swansea could not match Cardiff’s pace and were quickly intercepted by Cardiff’s strong defence before a chance for a net.

As the game progressed, the tension was rising as somewhat of close contact was becoming apparent from the Cardiff girls at the bottom end of the court, of which Swansea should have benefitted from more penalties given, but instead the team was becoming irritated and provoked, causing some clouded judgement of play on their behalf only to advantage the Cardiff team.

At half time, Cardiff were leading by a distance, 12-26, and Katie Stoodley tried to compose the girls with some needed advice to keep a cool head and push. This change of mind took a positive effect at the start of the second half when Swansea got off to a fiery start scoring three goals before Cardiff were back in the game.

In a motivated attempt for a comeback, at the bottom end of the court the Swansea keeper did her best leans and blocks to clear the shooting circle while at the top half Rihannon Bowers-James planted some decent goals, however, unfortunately Swansea could not match Cardiff’s quick hands. The score finished 31-52 to Cardiff.

Shortly after, Swansea’s 2nd team took on Cardiff Metropolitan’s 5th. The opening quarter started with both sides easing into the game. Swansea immediately presented some great teamwork through some short and speedy passes where they could each better their position, taking advantage of the gaps that Cardiff were lazy to hand away. Charlotte Amos, playing centre, was frequently in the right place at the right time, able to catch Cardiff off guard to threaten their direction of movement.

After a fairly even play from both sides in the first half of the game, the second half would see the hosts begin to dominate Cardiff with a wave of goals from goal attack, Jess Tate, who demonstrated some excellent work mid court working well with her teammate playing centre. Tate presented skill when intercepting, her coordination was undoubtable, as well as demonstrating some fabulous leaps for the ball.

Into the last quarter, Swansea were leading by a large margin but it would have been a mistake to assume a win and flake on Cardiff who were persistent to challenge Swansea right up to the last few moments of the game. When Cardiff proved troublesome to catch, the pressure was kept by goal defence, Maddie Taylor, who made herself into a wall which Cardiff’s attack could not bring down. Multiple times Taylor managed to intercept with good accuracy to steer the ball out of Cardiff’s hands and out of danger, saving Swansea from a significant number of potential nets from the opposition. The Swansea girls stretched their lead in the second half to become victorious in their win, 49-29.

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