NETBALL HIT BACK WITH EMPHATIC WIN

By Charlotte Maling - Sport Reporter

Swansea 3rds  50       -       22  R.A College 1sts          

 SWANSEA WOMEN’S Netball 3rds bounced back from the previous week’s defeat with a confident 50-22 win over Royal Agricultural College 1sts on a sub-zero Wednesday afternoon in Sketty Lane Sports Centre.

From the offset, Swansea looked slightly nervous with several cautious movements, but soon proved to be the stronger side with quick effective passing amongst all players. 

With Swansea having suffered their third defeat of the season to Glamorgan 2nds 23-31 the previous week, and with only two wins under their belt, each player knew the importance of the home fixture.

Team Captain, Megan Dacey highlighted the importance of this win after the match.

“We were neck and neck in the league and knew a win today would be vital.”

Swansea took a positive 22-13 lead going into the second half, with Dacey boosting morale for the first half. Royal Agricultural College were simply unable to defend Swansea’s tactical quick passing from player to player with most points scored from Royal deriving from Swansea’s mishaps.

Reflecting on her side’s performance as a whole, Dacey commented, “We were great all game, and I’m very excited to have beaten our close opponent.Having been beaten last week we wanted to finish this match with a strong win.”

Within the fourth quarter Swansea dominated their opponents, and the team were confident enough in edging each other on to reach their second conclusive half-century score of the season. During this last quarter Swansea achieved an average of just under a point per minute, clearly displaying their consistent dominant position.

The highest scorer of the game was Dacey, Goal Shooter, with her fellow Goal Attack completing the admirable result. Most point scoring plays derived from the solid defending, with the Wingers taking advantage of the space around the court to forward the play to the Shooters. The man of the match deservedly went to Laura Johansson, Wing Attack for the match, with important contributions to not only tracking back but also her skilful awareness in setting up perfect opportunities for the attackers.

Next week is Swansea 3rd’s last game of 2010, with a home fixture against Aberystwyth 3rds, whom Swansea previously annihilated 55-13 in the first game of the season.

If Swansea carry this strong performance onto their next game, there cannot be any doubt of a perfect end before the Christmas break.