Unst 51 V 16 Dutch Courage
The match started quietly with both teams finding their feet. Unst’s first few centre passes went smoothly into their circle, and Kerry Laurenson at GA finding the net, helped them to settle into their game. Dutch Courage had to work hard to find their players but Carla Johnson at C and Alexis Jamison at WA linked well to try to support their shooters. Quick passing from the Unst attack and some accurate shooting meant they finished the quarter with a strong lead 10 – 4.
Unst continued where they left off in the second quarter. Strong play from Martha Moar as Unst’s GD dominated the circle making it tough for the Dutch Courage shooters to get any momentum. Sadie Meadows at GD and Leonie Clark at GK battled against the Unst attack but accurate feeding of the circle by Jade Nicolson at WA and Ashley Symington at C for Unst saw them extend their advantage. The half-time score was 19 – 8.
Unst brought on three sets of fresh legs at half time and the pace of their game increased. Erin Spence at GA linked well with Marie Leask at GS and the goals flowed. Dutch Courage continued to fight with Johnson, Jamieson and Anya Leslie working hard in the centre court but found it difficult to get the ball into their shooting circle. Interceptions from the Unst defence, swift passing up the court and fantastic accuracy from the new Unst shooters meant they increased their lead; 41 – 9.
The last quarter saw Dutch Courage mix up their players bringing Chloe Howarth out of attack and into GK and Nia McLean into GD. They fought hard, making life difficult for Spence and Leask in the Unst shooting circle. At the other end of the court, Lisa Johnson at GK and Lottie Thomson at GD for Unst, were working well together with a number or interceptions and rebounds. Unst’s centre Jade together with Moar, now at WD, and Spence at GA were making good use of the ball moving it up through the court to their shooting circle. Some good shooting from Meadows and Aaliyah Leask saw Dutch Courage have their highest scoring quarter, however Unst were just too strong winning 51 – 16. Both players of the match had excellent games helping their teams in the centre court – Carla Johnson for Dutch Courage and Jade Nicolson for Unst.