The girls were hugely disappointed and by now exhausted from the last two matches against the two other top teams in our group but then had to go into a play-off against Brambletye to get to the finals. We just couldn't get ourselves up for the game (including myself) as we all felt we had already done enough to qualify. We lost the match and therefore did not qualify for the National finals which was very upsetting for us all. The tears quickly followed. However, these girls should be very proud of how they performed on the day and with their continued full commitment I am sure that next year it will be their time to succeed. A big thank you to our wonderful supporting parents who went through the many highs and shared the end of day agony with the team.
Netball v Tavistock & Summerhill
Under 9 5-1
It was a beautiful afternoon for the under 9s girls to win their match against Tavistock & Summerhill. The score ended at 5-1 with the last goal being scored just before the end. The girls all put in a great effort to get the ball down to the shooters Elizabeth and Lucy who did some awesome shooting. Hatty played some great defence always getting her distance and her arms up. All the girls put in a great effort and deserved to win. Well done.
OH
Netball v Mid-Sussex Netball Club
Under 12A’s
Cumnor House Under 13 Netball Versatility Tournament
Fifth
v Windlesham 5-5
v Cumnor B 3-3
v Brighton Junior 2-3
v Cumnor U12 6-1
v Brighton Prep 0-7
v Cumnor A 3-3
v Cottesmore 12-4
The squad of 8 girls began rather slowly in this tournament playing at less than their best in the first three matches. By the fourth match they had begun to get in to their stride. They played quite superbly in the last three matches in particular against Brighton Prep although the score of 0-7 does not reflect this. They just failed to put the ball in the net on the first attempt each time and the extremely tall defence took the rebound on each occasion. They continued in this vein in the sixth match against Cumnor A team, managing to hold them to a draw and were on fire against Cottesmore. Special mention today goes to Millie, Laura and Izzy who were tireless in their endeavours, defending as if their lives depended on it, Aimee for her accurate passing, Elena for being constantly free and her intelligent use of the bounce pass, Jasmine for her shooting ,Vicky for her interceptions and Rose-Marie for her neat and accurate play.
'Man of the match' Millie van Grutten. PMc
Netball v Cumnor House
Under 11A 17-4
A mixed team of under 11 A and B team girls played Cumnor House B team today. Ashdown got off to a very good start and were leading 6-0 by half time. This was due to some very accurate shooting by Helena SJ and some super defending from Aiko and Susannah. Some changes were made at half time and Cumnor had a very good third quarter, winning the quarter 2-1. Sasha made some impact at GA and, with some more games under her belt, I'm sure she will become a regular A team player. Ashdown seemed to gain lots of momentum in the last quarter and went on to win the match 17-4. JU
Under 10 11-10
WE WON! It was all smiles for the Ashdown House Under 10s after their nail biting match against Cumnor! The first quarter was close but we were not playing our best and came off court disheartened with the score being 2-3 to Cumnor. After a firm pep talk the girls pulled up their socks and shone like the netball stars they are! I’m so proud of each and every one of the girls for pushing themselves for the three quarters of the game. At half time the scores were even (6-6) and we were even more determined to win. Our defence (Alienor Turanli-GK, Georgie O’Brien-GD and Estella Montagu-WD) never stopped running and reached for the ball with all their might, getting great intercepts along the way. Victoria Burgoyne-WA and Claudia Grace-C worked so well together, moving in front of their opponents and getting the ball up and down the court. Nurshahar Izbassar-GS and Chloe Yorke-GA did an outstanding job in the circle and got some great goals. At the end of the third quarter the scores were still even at 7-7. It was an exciting last quarter but we managed to win at 11-10! The girls had truly played their hardest and it certainly payed off – I’ve never seen smiles so big and proud! KB
Under 9 2-9
The Under 9 netball girls played a tough match against Cumnor House this afternoon. Despite the score, most girls showed great sportsmanship, although they generally were not their usual enthusiastic selves. Special mention must go to Hermione Harrison at WA, who passed beautifully and found space on the court well. Hatty Innes was also an outstanding GD,making many beautiful intercepts and catching rebounds. For next week, the team needs to work on their passing, particularly when faced against taller opposition like Cumnor. Better luck next time girls, and a big thank you to the parents for their support! GP
Netball v Cumnor House
1st VII 11-17
We played a practice versatility match today in preparation for the tournament on Saturday. This match really highlighted the various strengths and weaknesses of our squad of eight girls. Everyone made a real effort to play the position that they were allocated each quarter. Jasmine was outstanding in her versatility around the court. Elena was prepared to fight for possession at every turn. We held Cumnor to a 9-9 draw at half time. However we let our guard slip in the second half and allowed them to run away with the match. We need to dig deeper girls. PMc
2nd VII 12-2
We started off the match well scoring 8 goals in the first quarter with Cumnor only scoring 1. Leah and Sophie made some great interceptions and defended brilliantly. Lara was very quick on the court today running up and down and making excellent passes and interceptions despite having hurt her ankle in the second quarter. Lusha as GS played very well as her first time playing this position scoring 5 goals. Our end score was 12-2 to us and everyone in the team played amazingly. Alex Bluck
3rd VII 10-4
Ashdown started off well, scoring 6 goals in the first quarter, and Cumnor scoring 1. Nurshat and Annabel did some good interceptions on the other end of the court. In the second quarter we played well again scoring 3 goals and Cumnor scoring 3 as well.Well played to Dana, and Hatty, and also to Maria who was really good at shooting. Kate Brockman
Netball v Hawthorns
Under 11A 6-17
Today our under 11s came up against a very classy and strong Hawthorns team. Most of their girls play club netball and it showed. After the first half we were 13-1 down. The Hawthorns umpire very kindly swapped her players into different positions which made for a better and more competitive second half. Alexandra and Susannah tried ever so hard to swing the play in our favour. Grace had a good game in three different positions and shot a lovely long range goal. Our girls never gave up and I feel they may have picked up some useful tips from the match. The final score was 17-6 to Hawthorns. JU
Under 11B 3-6
A big congratulations to the U11Bs for their huge effort against Hawthorns today. Despite the final result (6-3 to Hawthorns) every girl worked very hard and showed some great potential and very encouraging sportsmanship. Our attack was strong and our defence was great; by the end of the first half the scores were even. Unfortunately Hawthorns broke away in the second half and we were unable to catch up. Frances Young (GS) and Sasha Nikolaeva (GA) worked brilliantly in the goal circle, trying very hard and Annabel Edwards (GK) and Camilla Wilkins (GD) made some terrific intercepts and rebounds. Well done to all for a great game! KB
Netball v St Christopher’s
Under 10 2-17
The girls played a tough match today against St Christopher’s in cold and windy conditions. Despite this all the girls played a fantastic match and all endeavoured to get themselves in front of their players and into space so they could receive the ball. Estella was especially good at this and was moving at all times. Our team captain, Claudia, played a brilliant game and was always free to receive passes. Unfortunately our opposition were very strong in both defence and attack so the girls had to work extra hard to score their own points and prevent St Christopher’s from scoring more. All the girls played a fantastic match and should all be proud of their efforts in such tough conditions. GOOD WORK! SF
Under 9 3-1
Congratulations to the Under 9 netball team on another well fought win. The match got off to a rocky start with our captain and star centre, Emily Bland, falling and grazing her nose. Despite this, she put on a brave face and proved to the opposition what a great netballer she is with her great intercepts. Well done also to our shooting duo, Elizabeth McCarthy and Lucy Hargrave, who managed to shoot beautifully into the 10 foot posts… a foot higher than what they’re used to! Hermione Harrison was a great WD as she always thought carefully about where she was throwing the ball and was always available for a pass. Cordelia Moore played WA very well also, especially when the St Christopher’s defence was high. Overall, it was a very close match and all nine girls should be very proud of themselves. A big thank you to St Christopher’s for their sportsmanship and to the parents for their support! GPNetball v Brambletye
Under 11A 10-14
This was a very close match against Brambletye. In the first quater Ashdown were 3 - 2 up, but unfortunately as the game progressed we made too many passing errors, which the opposition turned into goals. Our overall play this week was much improved and a special mention must go to Alexandra Mathison, who played with strength and determination throughout the match. We have the ability in this squad of players and with some hard work I am sure it will all eventually come together. The final score was 14 - 10 to Brambletye. JU
Under 10 2-17
It was rainy and cold when we started our match against Brambletye. Despite the weather we played hard and tried our very best, but unfortunately it just wasn’t meant to be. The final result was 17-2 to Brambletye. A big thank you to Ai Yokoyama who stepped in as GK as Alienor was off with an injury. All girls showed huge amounts of sportsmanship and on the whole played really well. Good effort! KB
Under 9 7-2
Despite the windy and rainy weather, all nine members of the team ran onto the court full of enthusiasm and smiles. All girls played brilliantly, working together as a team and always moving around the court. Special mention must go to our star centre, Emily Bland, who made intercept after intercept, flinging the ball straight to the shooters. Hatty Innes also played very well as GD, fighting hard for the ball and dodging beautifully. As WA, Annabel Naylor was always available for a pass, finding space on the court incredibly well. I am so proud of all the girls, who have all improved so much since they first started played the sport. Thank you to all the supporters, and I can’t wait to see how the team go in their next match! GP
1st VII 17-19
The girls began well in this match taking the first quarter 7-4, my only criticism being the lack of positive passing. During the second quarter they allowed Cumnor to draw to within one goal as they were still not passing with their usual confidence. Also Cumnor were very efficient in their defending strategy and our girls were not dodging with purpose....and still the confidence was lacking in their passing. In the third quarter Cumnor took the lead by one goal and then furthered their lead to two goals.
This was a great match for these girls who have not had enough to work against recently and this match has given them and their coach plenty to work on! 'Man of the match': Vicky Watson for her incredible determination, Elena Breeze for being ever free and Aimee deHavas for great work around the circle. PMc
2nd VII 10-10
The girls played a fantastic game against the Cumnor House Under 12A team drawing 10-10. The girls all played brilliantly and were evenly matched which pushed them to play their best. Gabi Skinner played a magnificent game and intercepted an infinite number of balls as well as always putting pressure on her player and moving forward into space to receive the ball. Unfortunately we lost her to an injured ankle half way through the game. However the rest of the girls played on and worked even harder with the re-shuffling of positions. Another player who played exceedingly well was Leah Mellor whose defence was incredible, keeping her distance while defending but still tipping the ball. It was an amazing game to watch as every single girl played phenomenally and really worked hard against Cumnor House. Well done to all the girls, it is defiantly a game worth remembering. SF
3rd VII 3-28
Despite the disappointing score, all nine players should be very proud of their enthusiasm and for keeping their heads up throughout the entire match. We were put up against the Cumnor 2nd team, so we were down by 18-0 at the end of the first half. After some position swapping, we managed to get a couple of points on the board thanks to Thalia Merryweather’s brilliant shooting and moving around the circle. Well done also to Nurshat Izbassar who played an excellent GD/GK by constantly calling for the ball and making some superb intercepts. Francesca Burgoyne played the entire match as centre, zipping around the court and always trying her best. I look forward to watching the girls play in their next match soon! GP
Under 11A 7-18
Ashdown got off to a bad start in this match going 14-3 down by half time. A number of positional changes were made which saw some improvement in the second half. As always, when playing a superior team, our girls learnt a lot from the experience and it was pleasing to see that not one single girl gave up as everyone tried their best throughout. One positive from the match was that we improved enough to win the last quarter 2-1, but in general it's back to the training court tomorrow with lots to work on. JU
Under 10 4-11
It was a tough match against Cumnor but we tried our very hardest and never gave up. Showing great sportsmanship throughout the game were Claudia Grace (C) and Estella Montagu (WD) who made good decisions and persevered with enthusiasm. Georgie O’Brien (GD) played remarkably and amazed both Ashdown and Cumnor players as she intercepted countless balls in the Cumnor goal circle. Chloe Yorke (GA) never gave up hope and ran up and down the court making sure the ball got into our goal circle safely and also scored a couple of goals. After the first quarter we were down 4-1 but by half time the score was 7-4. Unfortunately we did not score any more goals and the final result was 11-4 to Cumnor. I’m really pleased with how the girls are working as a team and am looking forward to next match! Good effort girls. KB
Under 9 3-7
Our under 9s were a little slow to start in this match whilst Cumnor were very fast out of the blocks and quickly went into a 4-1 lead. After some gentle 'prodding' the second quarter was much better for us as we won the quarter 2 - 1. Cordelia, who was playing for the first time in an Ashdown netball team, had an excellent debut. Although Cumnor ran out eventual 7 - 3 winners this was a very closely contested match with lots of end to end play. Elizabeth was strong in the GA position scoring our 3 goals and Emily always seems to be there when needed. Annabel Naylor visibly grew in confidence and in the last quarter she made some super interceptions. Girl of the match today was Hatty Innes as her defensive play was outstanding which kept the score line close throughout. JU
Netball v Benenden
1st VII 17-3
We began today at full strength. It was a lovely sunny day and both teams were up for a stiff competitive match. We played well in the first quarter and were up 8-2 by the whistle but we were not making the most of our positioning play and were muddling in the centre court. In the second quarter we played far more efficiently and by half time we were winning 14-3.
At this point I decided to move everybody out of position in order to hone their netballing skills as versatile all-rounders. Jasmine and Izzy went to goal shooter and goal attack, Laura, Vicky and Aimee into the centre court and Millie and Elena into defence. Everybody played well in these positions when we were defending although they were somewhat muddled as we attacked.
In the fourth quarter we moved again putting Elena and Vicky in attack, Millie, Izzy and Jasmine in the centre court and Laura and Aimee in defence. Again we played some good netball. Particular praise must go to Millie, Elena and Laura when they were defending. 'Man' of the Match Laura Kendall. PMc
2nd VII 12-9
The weather turned out to be beautiful and sunny for the 2nd VII netball match. The girls were all in tremendous form and played a fantastic game against Benenden. Both defence and attack played outstanding quarters, all the girls contributing to the team. Special mentions go to Rose-Marie who played a player much taller than herself and used the right strategy to evade her defender. Also to Leah Mellor who used her height to her advantage and constantly put her player under pressure. All the girls played an amazing game. Well done. SF
3rd VII 13-4
Congratulations to the 3rd netball team on another fantastic win this season! The match got off with a flying start, with a 6-1 lead by the end of the first quarter. As GS, Kate Brockman made shooting look effortless, and positioned herself in the circle perfectly. Hatty Miller moved beautifully around the court, passing the ball right into her team mate’s space. With a seven goal lead at the end of the first half and some well deserved oranges, the girls were right back on court for some more superb play. Flora Koska was a great WD, always managing to find space on the court and calling for the ball. Centre Lusha Zharova was as ball-hungry as ever, always picking up a stray ball.The Benenden coach said he was amazed at how well the girls all worked together and supported each other, so all should be incredibly proud of their effort and enthusiasm throughout the afternoon. I can’t wait to see how this great team continues throughout the season! GP
Netball v Tavistock and Summerhill
Under 10 9-4
Netball v Hurstpierpoint
Under 9 4-3
Ashdown got off to a good start by going into a 2 -1 lead in the first quarter. A funny moment was our second goal by Lucy as the ball bounced two foot off the top of the goal post then came back down straight though the net. They all count! By half time the score was level and this had turned into a very close and exciting game. All the girls were working really hard with Emily tireless as centre and both Scarlett and Hatty putting in really strong performances in defence. Momoko and Elizabeth were super in the attack with Elizabeth converting two goals. Girl of the of the match goes to Lucy as she scored the winning goal literally from the edge of the circle. A beautiful long range shot! A very close encounter that Ashdown narrowly won 4-3. A fun match played with lots of smiles from both teams. Well down girls. JU
This was a fantastic game from start to finish. It was played in the most superb manner of fair and competitive netball. By the end of the first quarter Ashdown was winning 6-5 but almost all the goals had been scored against the centre pass as the defence were all putting up the most magnificent fight. Elena was making superb interceptions, Vicky was playing out of her skin and Jasmine was superb in her calm but ruthlessly efficient manner.
In the second quarter two goals were scored apiece as the teams jostled for supremacy making the score 8-7 to Ashdown at half time. In the third quarter our attack really began to make their mark. Millie and Rose-Marie were constantly free enabling Aimee and Laura to make the most of the play around the circle. Our shooting was deadly accurate and we won that quarter 6-2 making the score at three quarters time 14-9.
Brighton decided that there was no way that they could breach the gap in the format that they were playing so they moved many of their girls around in the final quarter. We capitalised on this and won that quarter 8-4. Brighton were great adversaries and the major difference between the two teams was the fact that Ashdown's girls knew each others' play from years of being together and Brighton played less as a team and more as seven separate but very good netballers. Team work really is the key! 'Man' of the match: Vicky Watson and Elena Breeze. PMc
2nd VII 8-2
After heavy rain, both teams bravely gave their all on an extremely slippery netball court surface . Although not a high scoring game, the match was packed with plenty of exciting action as Ashdown built up a 4-2 lead by half time. Leah and Sophie were very strong in our defence with Leah making some super interceptions midcourt. Ashdown gained further momentum as the game progressed with Gabbi and Thalia's speed of play in attack making it very difficult for the opposition to defend. When given the opportunity both Lara and Dana converted some beautiful shots. Hatty had a lovely calm and neatness about her game which was much needed at times to steady the frantic pace of the game. The final score was 8-2 to Ashdown and girl of the match was the whole team. A lovely sporting match by both teams. JU
3rd VII 8-15
Despite the miserable weather the girls played really well in their match against Brighton Collage today. The slippery courts made the footwork hard but the girls persevered played their best. Special mentions go to our Lusha and Maria who both played an amazing match and were always on top of their game. Even though the girls were brilliant unfortunately we lost 8-15. Well done girls! SF
Netball v St Andrew's
Under 11A 14-11
What was very pleasing about this match was how the girls put into the game what we had been practising in training. Our use of space on the court and speed of passing had really improved. Alexandra worked particularly hard at GA and Helena St John showed more tenacity in the shooting circle. Grace and Inju performed well in the centre court, whilst Camilla and Susannah were tremendous in defence against two good players from the opposition. This was a close match but we managed to just keep slightly ahead all the way through, finally winning 14-11. JU
Under 11B 8-3
This match was a joy to watch as the girls improved so much as the game went on. St Andrew's took the lead in the first quarter but we pulled the scores back level by half time. This was mainly due to some lovely centre court play by Ellie, Frances, Helena Foord, Aiko and Kate. Bota and Sasha, who was playing her first ever game of netball, were an absolute revelation as our shooters. They both scored four beautiful goals each helping us to an 8-3 victory. Ai was excellent throughout the match as our goalkeeper and played well against some very tall opponents. Annabel Edwards was the girl of the match due to her numerous, and fantastic, interceptions. Well done girls and keep up the good work. JU
Under 10 6-8 (SF)
Under 9 12-1
The girls were magnificent from the word 'go' today. They scored three goals in each quarter, running up another magnificent 12 goals by the end of the match. The centre passes went superbly, accurate passes by Emily to the dynamic runs of Elizabeth. Momoko, Eliza and Annabel moved very well to receive the next pass and Lucy waited patiently and then made her superbly timed run. The passing around the circle was always neat and efficient. These attackers also put their heart and soul into defending the ball if we lost possession and regularly managed to make lovely interceptions. Scarlett has made great strides as goal keeper and she made some super interceptions. Hatty was electric in her defending managing to intercept the almost impossible! Izzy and Hermione were really good at wing defence ensuring that their partners were given very little space to get the ball. These defenders also attacked well ensuring good passage of the ball up the court. Hatty had an injury during the match and Momoko stepped into the breach as goal defence for the rest of that quarter, she did a great job!
We changed some positions in the last quarter of the match moving Emily to goal attack, Elizabeth to centre, Hatty to goal shooter and Lucy to goal defence. Each girl made the most of the chance and made some very valuable contributions. These four in particular showing that they are indeed turning into all round netball players. ‘Man of the match’ Elizabeth McCarthy for dynamic play and fantastic shooting. PMc
It was a beautiful day for netball. The girls worked hard in their warm up after their long journey and were totally ready for the first match of their season. We were lucky to have a core of 6 girls who had already completed a years netball at Ashdown and knew exactly what to do. This was very obvious in this match .Hatty defended brilliantly at goal defence, Emily was neat and efficient at centre, Elizabeth was dynamic and unceasingly accurate at goal attack, Lucy passed beautifully around the circle, Izzy was determined on the wing, and Momoko never put a foot wrong also on the wing. Our new recruits gave their all and have already learnt a great deal. Scarlett stuck like glue to her goal shooter and Annabel passed quite well when she had the ball.
The 2nd
VII girls had a fantastic start to the season winning their match 15-2. Leah Mellor played really well using her height to intercept multiple passes and rebounds. Gabi Skinner played a brilliant game as centre, always moving into space and using her speed to make intercepts. As well as this, Lara Murray, despite her injuries, played a fantastic game in GS with wonderful accuracy and utilising all the coaching tips she was given. All the girls played really well and should all be proud. SF
With only a small year group all of the girls in the 4's will be playing for the under 10s this season. Three of our girls had never played in a netball match before and were understandably quite nervous. However, we got off to a reasonable start and were only 2 goals down in the first quarter. Georgie O'Brien, one of the girls who had never played before, was outstanding in the GD position, doing her very best to keep the score down and countless times she intercepted a pass to send the ball back into our attack. Alienore improved as the game progressed, as did Chloe and Nurshahar. I was encouraged by a few nice passages of play from the girls so I am sure that with some hard work on the training court we will see much improvement. The girls never gave up, although they eventually lost 15-0, and played with a smile throughout.
JU
Under 9 12-1
By the end of the first quarter we were already winning 4-0! Only one goal was scored in the second quarter making it 5-0 at half time. We managed another 4 goals in the third quarter and in the final quarter we won 3-1. Cranleigh fought hard and never gave up. It was a great testament to them that their perseverance paid off in the dying seconds when they scored their goal to great jubilation!
A fabulous team effort but particular praise to Hatty, Emily and Elizabeth. PMc
Netball v Moira House
1st VII 18-15 (PMc)
2nd VII 15-2 (SF)
3rd VII 15-2 (GP)
Under 11B 0-10 (KB)
Netball v Hazelwood
Under 11A 4-13 (JU)
IAPS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
U13 Squad
Laura Kendall
Aimee de Havas cpt
Issy Stevens
Millie van Grutten
Elena Breeze
Vickie Watson
Jasmine Bradley
Gabi Skinner
Leah Mellor
RoseMarie Sage
Alexandra Bluck
V Cottesmore Won 14-1
V Dulwich Won 5-3
V Vinehall Won 8-5
V Windlesham Won 6-3
V Amesbury Won 10-0
V St.Aubyns Won 11-3
V Hurst Lost 7-10
V Cranleigh Lost 2-8
V Feltonfleet Lost 6-9
Today’s match against Mid-Sussex was a riveting match to watch. Whilst the girls had been nervous about playing a team known for their skill and excellence at netball, by the time the match rolled around fire was in their hearts and they were ready to prove their ability; they were ready to win. And what a win it was, 22-16. This week I can’t choose ‘player of the match’ as each girl put in her best efforts and everyone helped to conquer such a strong team. I will however mention the talent of Katerina and Katie, whose control of the ball and precision in passing helped greatly to continuous feed the ball through each third and down to our shooters, Annabel H and Lily SJ. The fact that the girls played such a great match, with excellent sportsmanship and amazing skill, proves to each of them just how fantastic they are, and how well they work together as a team. Not only did they win today, but they had a fun match too; always an important point. Thank you to the parents who came to watch the game on home ground; it really does mean the world to the girls to have such a large support group. KM
1st VII 20-14
The girls all played superbly today especially in the first quarter where we all but won the game taking a 9- 1 lead. Laura and Aimee were superb in and around the shooting circle, Issy, Millie, Elena and Gabi were electric in the centre court and Jasmine, Leah and Gabi were wonderful in defence. It was a great warm up game as the last before the IAPS regionals that they have all been working towards during their Ashdown netball careers some for as long as 6 years and some for as little as one full netball season. We are all looking forward to putting our collective talents into the tournament next week!
'Man' of the match THE ENTIRE TEAM!
KM
Netball v Cottesmore
2nd VII 8-15
The girls played a tough match in deteriorating weather conditions as the rain got heavier in the second half, but the entire team continued to play their best. Excellent play was seen by Dana and Thalia in the centre third. Nurshat’s dedication throughout the game must be acknowledged as she continued to be a pivotal point in the team even after she had to remove her glasses due to heavy rain - for this she was, in my opinion, player of the match. Thanks girls for being such good sports in such tough conditions! EH
Under 11A 6-11
If we could play just three minutes a quarter, the U11s would have won this match quite easily as they started each quarter really well! We initially score goals quite quickly then seem to switch off. There were so many basic mistakes by the whole team, from dropping the ball to throwing it to the opposition, as well as frequent footwork mistakes. This team is capable of playing some super netball and I can only hope that they are in a more focused mood next Thursday for the Regionals. This game ended early in the 4th quarter, with Cottesmore leading 11-6, as the heavens opened and the court became unplayable. Alexandra Mathison was voted girl of the match by the Cottesmore team.
JU
Netball v Worth
1st VII 27-13
A constant drizzle throughout the first three-quarters of this match did not dampen the girls' fighting spirit. We came out all guns blazing and zipped into a 7-2 lead by quarter time. It did however take us a few minutes to get the ball down to our end! Worth came back with great fighting spirit in the second half; they had a good pair in defence who leant well and a strong wing attack and centre who fed well into the circle. Emma Harris an old Ashdownian shot beautifully in the second quarter. This quarter was much closer with the score being 8-7 to Ashdown. This did move us one goal further ahead at half time, the score was now 15-9.
After a short tactical talk the Ashdown girls came back with a stunning third quarter of 8 goals to 3 and completed the job as the rain ceased with a final quarter of 4-1. 'Man' of the Match was Jasmine Bradley for superb but understated defence. PMcC
Under 12A 29-9
The U12 girls were 'on fire' today. All were totally focused on the match with each and every girl playing superbly. In the defence, Holly, Lily Innes, Cosima and Tilly Butcher marked their opponents closely throughout ensuring that Worth never got into a flowing rhythm. Katerina calmly controlled the centre court to help feed our attack of Katie, Lily SJ, Miss Grace and Annabel who are all slick, quick and accurate. Ashdown won the match 29-9 and our girl of the match was, the whole team. JU
Under 11A 16-4
The U11 girls were playing an Under 12B team from Worth and started a little nervously as the Worth girls were a lot taller. However, we used all our dodging skills and speed around the court to neutralise the size difference. Ali Mathison played an excellent first half and scored most of the Ashdown goals. Helena Foord had a very good game showing her great versatility by playing really well in three different positions. At half time Ashdown were leading 8-2 and repeated the score line in the second half for a well deserved 16-4 win. Girl of the match was Helena Foord. JU
Netball v Brambletye
1st VII 17-11
I took a squad of 10 girls to this match with a plan to use all of them almost evenly. Every girl therefore had at least one quarter off the court. They all surpassed themselves. We now have a very strong squad able to compete in the first team. We won the first quarter 5-2, the second 3-1, the third 6-4 and drew the third. It was very pleasing to see each girl taking up the challenge of a different position or people in different positions around her as if there had been no alteration. As always the senior girls are consummate netballers and not tied to any particular position. Laura was outstanding again today as was Vicky and therefore were narrowly today's 'Men' of the match. PMc
Netball v Great Walstead
3rd VII 22-13
The 3rd netball team played an excellent match against
Great Walstead
winning 22-13. The girls worked really well together as a team and remained on top of the opposition from start to finish. Hatty’s quick passes, intercepts and general effort on the court was a valuable asset for the Ashdown House team. Maria’s success in both shooting and the toss up in conjunction with Kate’s flawless aim in the shooting circle allowed the Ashdown team’s score to get away from the opposition in the last quarter. Thanks to all the girls for a great game - very well played everyone! EH
Under 10 4-7
The girls played a very competitive game of netball today. The game was intense right up until the final whistle. Unfortunately their hard work didn't score them a win although the game was very tight right up until the second half where Walstead broke away leaving the final score at 7-4.
Tori at centre played a great game appearing everywhere on the court with a grin on her face. Alienor and Chloe were doing some great passing while Estella and Georgie managed to obtain many intercepts enabling the ball to get down our end. Claudia at WA got the ball out from the centre pass nicely and Nurshahar did some great shooting. The girls got a bit caught up in the nerves towards the end of the match and began rushing their game which resulted in silly passing and inaccurate decisions. But all in all a great game to watch. OH
Netball v Sackville
Under 12A 25-11
What a pleasure it is to take this U12 team as they played some really super netball. Lily SJ was impressive in attack with absolutely outstanding shooting whilst Katerina was back to her best in the centre position. Holly and Lily Innes were completely in control in the defence, making numerous interceptions. Tilly G had a real look of determination today and, at one point, intercepted a Sackville centre pass sending the ball straight back into our attack. Cosima, Katie and Tilly B were all very influential in the centre court. Girl of the match today goes to Annabel Hickson as her dodging and intelligent play in the shooting circle was brilliant. A most enjoyable and well contested match by both teams, which Ashdown won 25-11. JU
Netball v Holmewood House
1st VII 17-11
A really good match in which we all learnt a great deal but mainly Aimee who had to learn how to overcome being blocked and Laura who had to cope with her goal attack arriving later in to the circle because of this. Holmewood are always very efficient defenders and this was challenging in all areas of the court. We got more and more able to deal with the pressure that they were exerting on us and finding ways to out smart their defenders. All played superbly but ‘Man of the Match’ goes to Laura for her efficiency and magnificent shooting and Jasmine for her defence. PMc
2nd VII
A netball tournament between senior girls from three Ashdown House teams and one team from Holmewood House School. With one team made up of both Holemwood and Ashdown girls and the other three teams played up entirely of Ashdown girls, all played well. Each team was made up of girls with a mixture of skill levels and in the end the A team were the winners, successfully defeating the opposition in every match. There was some excellent shooting in the competition by Rose-Marie, Annabel Hickson and Lily St John as well as some strong defence from Cosima and Sophie. Lara and Katie continually intercepted the ball, ensuring the games were very exciting for the parents on the sidelines. All girls in the tournament really put in a huge amount of effort in each of their matches and worked well in teams they had not previously played in. Thanks to all the girls for a great afternoon! EH
Under 11A 5-14
Strong winds and constant drizzle does not make for a very entertaining netball match. The first half was a close affair with both teams cancelling out most of each other's attacking play with any high balls being intercepted or taken by the wind. Our defenders, Aiko and Camilla, were working extremely hard to restrict Holmewood's scoring chances, whilst Grace had an excellent second quarter at WD, positioning herself really well and pouncing on any loose balls. The first half ended with Holmewood narrowly ahead by three goals to one. Unfortunately in the third quarter the wind favoured Holmewood and they took full advantage to build a very strong 11-3 lead. We fared a little better in the last quarter but our attack and shooting were not on song today and, with Holmewood well into their stride, they went on to win 14-5. JU
Under 10 1-15
Todays away game against Homewood was a rather tricky one. Unfortunately we lost although the girls all put in a stunning effort. The whole game was a little rushed with Ashdown trying to keep up with Holmewood's talented players. Unluckily this made our passes and general game play far too quick for the girls abilities. Our one goal was scored in the third quarter by Chloe. There were also some good intercepts by Georgie, Alienor and Estella. The girls need to watch their stepping and concentrate on the game but apart from that a great game. Well done. OH
Under 9 5-16
Today’s Under 9 match against Holmewood House School was a truly great game. Each Ashdown girl should be very proud of her efforts. Although we lost 16-5, our spirit remained high, demonstrated by our very loud and enthusiastic cheers at the end of the game (I’ve never heard such loud celebrations). The girls played on the Holmewood indoor court, a great relief to not only the players, but the parents who came along and indeed us umpires as well. Whilst all girls played their best, Mila deserves a special mention; at the beginning of the second quarter she fell over and hit her head on the ground. After a quick visit to the Nurses’ station she was back on the side of the court, rearing to go. Momoko also deserves a mention as she gallantly put on a red bib and played the second quarter for Holmewood House whom were one player down due to injury. Playing against ones own team can be a challenging and confusing job, but Momoco played brilliantly for her temporary team, and she should be very proud of herself. Even though the Under 9’s lost, they were very enthusiastic to play and tried the best; Hatty is a perfect example of this energy as she was found defending everywhere on the court. Well done girls, you should all be so proud. KM
Netball v Christ’s Hospital
1st VII 20-6
Today we were missing Aimee and Elena from the usual squad. Thus the team was altered from its usual make up. Leah played goal keeper which she did slightly too politely as is her nature, but with efficiency and some flashes of genius. Vicky was in her usual position of goal defence where she was as devastating to the opposition's attack as usual. Gabi came in as wing defence and played the game of her life; her interceptions are second to none and her passing today was deadly accurate! Millie was fast and efficient in her normal position of centre and always ready for the square pass. Izzy, in her usual position of wing defence, made deadly accurate passes in to the circle area look common place. Jasmine stepped up to the plate as goal attack and after an initial attack of nerves looked as though she had always been there. Laura, our neat and efficient goal shooter, made every move look easy and shot with incredible accuracy as is her way!
We played well in the first quarter and efficiently in the second. The disaster of the third prompted a rather heated team talk from the coach with no holes barred. To my wonderful girls' credit they took the whole thing on board and implemented all that was asked of them. We consequently won that quarter 11-1. Wow! If only we played like that all the time! 'Man of the Match' Vicky Watson PMc
2nd VII 13-19
The 2ndnetball team played a challenging match against Christ’s Hospital. Throughout the 40 minute game all of the girls put in an enormous level of effort to change the six point margin between the two teams. The shooting by both Alex and Lara was outstanding, however the challenge was getting the ball past the very tall opposition. With some good work in the centre third by both Lusha and Dana, the girls managed to remain enthused throughout the game and worked on their defending skills. Thanks to all the girls for taking my direction and I look forward their continued good spirits in future matches. EH
Netball v Cumnor House
Under 12A 17-17
Today the Under 12A match against Cumnor House was nail biting. Loosing the first quarter 7-2, the Ashdown girls became downhearted and worried that their game wasn’t strong enough. However, after a quick pep talk between the first and second quarters, the girls fought hard, bringing the score to 7-9 (Cumnor’s way). Increasing their score by five goals, the girls knew that anything was possible, even against such a strong opposition. Managing to persevere through the rain, a now common occurrence for the girls' games, Ashdown fought harder then I have ever seen them fight in the second half of the game. Cosi, who was off for the last quarter, described the end of the game as “so horrible”; the intensity from both teams was overwhelming (my heart was racing, and I was only umpiring!). The game ended on a 17-17 draw, a result which each girl should be proud of. Our attack was strong and our defence was stronger, so all girls should be proud of themselves. Having Katerina back on the team was a great advantage; not only because of her skill, but because of her ability to boost the moral of the other girls and give them all a sense of team identity. KM
(KM)
Cumnor House Under 10 Netball Tournament
Under 10 3rd in group
Team: Nurshahar, Chloe, Tori, Claudia, Estella, Georgie, Alienor, Elizabeth, Scarlett
Results:
Lost 2-0 v Copthorne
Drew 0-0 v Cumnor B
Lost 2-1 v Windlesham
It was our first tournament and we all really enjoyed the experience. The girls did their very best but unfortunately the goals did not go in for us today. Every single girl contributed with great enthusiasm. I'm sure that with some hard work in our training sessions the girls will improve and better results will come as the season progresses. JU
Netball v Cranleigh
1st VII 10-21
After a very long coach trip and then a route march from one school site to another the girls began this match very much on the back foot. Within seconds they were 0-2 down. It is testament to their strength of character that they pulled themselves together and began to play some good netball. Cranleigh are a very athletic and well drilled team. They always made good use of a loose pass or a lazy dodge, but we managed to keep the score down to 6-12 at half time. In the third quarter the girls came out with a renewed vigour and drew the quarter 2-2. Unfortunately the tight and efficient netball did not extend to the final quarter where Cranleigh played superbly. We have much to learn from this match which is always a good thing and our shooters must practice in order to retain consistency. 'Man of the Match' Vicky Watson for her tireless defence. PMc
2nd VII 7-10
The 2nd netball team played an intense match against Cranleigh School, only just missing out on the win in the final quarter. Despite the score ending up at 10-7 in favour of Cranleigh, the girls played an excellent game and took direction really well managing to improve their skills as the game progressed. Both Lara and Lusha did outstandingly well in the centre position and Alex’s shooting skills were strong throughout the match. Finally Leah, the girl nominated by the opposing team as 'player of the match', executed amazing intercepts and managed to obtain almost every rebound from under the opposing team’s hoop for all four quarters of the game. The girls all played very well and put up a great fight until the final whistle sounded. EH
Under 12A 13-17
Today’s match against Cranleigh was played in a truly English fashion; the rain poured down upon the court and the temperature was a chilling seven degrees. Nevertheless the girls put in their best efforts against very worthy opponents. The Cranleigh team was strong and set a fast pace, providing the Ashdown girls with a high speed match, often made difficult by the slippery ball and court. Drawing 5-5 after the first quarter, the Ashdown girls were determined to improve their game, slow down the court movement and thus control their passes in an effort to capture the game. Unfortunately by the end of the match the girls lost 13-17. Whilst this loss disappointed the team, I am so proud of each girl. Katie S. was awarded player of the match for her choices in the centre position, and for that she should be congratulated; it is an honour to be recognised by the opposition for good play. However, each girl should be proud of her efforts today: they all played the best netball I’ve seen from games and training combined. KM
Netball v Copthorne
Under 11A 6-6
This was an extremely closely contested netball match. At half time we were drawing with three goals each. As you can see by the score a lot of the action took place in the centre court area. All the girls were working very hard with both teams making numerous interceptions to cancel out each others attacking play. Our defence were the stars of the show in this match with Camilla and Aiko stoutly defending most of what was thrown at them. A fair result for both teams. JU
Under 11B 1-8
Although it was freezing on court the girls managed to keep focused for most of the game. Frances, our goal shooter, shot Ashdown's goal in the third quarter which was a fabulous effort. We had Chloe and Georgie step up from the under 10s to give some of the girls a break on court. They both played really well with Georgie doing some nice defence work. Grace as centre also played a marvellous game and kept up with Copthorne's speedy player. Annabel was doing some great work in the goal circle managing to get the ball off Copthorne a few times. Charas, Ai and Ellie also put in an awesome effort. Nice work girls. OH
Under 10 20-0
The girls had a smashing win today. Claudia and Tori both did a great job as centre, they managed to appear everywhere on the court. Georgie had some amazing intercepts of the ball which made it very difficult for Copthorne to get the ball down their end. Estella was also playing great defence with many intercepts. Nurshahar did some great shooting which continued to raise Ashdown's score. Alienor was playing fabulously as well. All the girls deserve a big pat on the back. Nice work. OH
Under 9 6-1
The dark and damp conditions did not seem to affect the U9s as this match was played with lots of fun and smiles. Scarlett and Hatty were superb in their defensive roles, making many tips offs and interceptions. Emily controlled the centre court area by picking up numerous loose balls. At half time Ashdown were narrowly ahead 3-1.
In the second half we seemed to have much more poccession. Elizabeth was moving speedily around the court and fed the ball to Lucy, who converted two lovely shots. This put us into a 5-1 lead at three quarter time. Cordelia, our captain for the day, played consistently well throughout the match. Annabel who had hurt herself in the second quarter bravely came back on for the last quarter and made some superb interceptions. Momoko and Izzy contributed to the overall team performance helping us win the match 6-1. Girl of the match goes to Scarlett for her goalkeeping skills which kept Copthornes score to a minimum. JU
Netball v Cottesmore
1st VII 26-10
At the start of this match I was surprised to see a team that bore little resemblance to the wonderful team I see on the netball courts in training sessions. There was poor decision making, awful passing and the marking was non existent. After going 4-0 down the girls started to apply themselves and clawed their way back to 5-5. Even so, at the end of the first quarter we were all in agreement that it was a terrible display. To the girls credit they responded well and, looking like a different team, winning the second quarter 10-2. As the game progressed the girls got into their stride. Amiee and Laura's understanding of each other was brilliant and their shooting spot on. Vicky Watson stood up magnificently to the challenge of marking Cottesmores best player. The end result was a victory of 26-10 to Ashdown in what turned out to be an enjoyable game played in a great spirit. JU
2nd VII 34-0
The Ashdown House 2nd netball team played a brilliant match against Cottesmore winning 34-0. All the girls put in an enormous effort as shooters, attackers and defenders. Nurshat proved her skill as a shooter in the final quarter, scoring goal after goal. Leah and Lusha’s intercepts and Dana’s defending meant Ashdown had an amazing hand on the ball. Lara was all over the court, pushing her boundaries throughout the match. It was an excellent effort and once more the team played an awesome game! EH
Under 11A 12-12
The girls worked hard in rather Arctic conditions this afternoon. Their passing was a little erratic with only 50% going to the intended recipient. Aiko played an extremely solid role in defence and was certainly the best player on court during the first half. Ali pulled herself up to play efficiently and with new drive and purpose in the second half. We really must learn not to call for the ball as this only alerts a good defending player. Fast and efficient dodging and keeping possession is the key. We must work hard on this before the regionals. 'Man of the Match' Aiko Eliot and Alexandra Mathison. PMc
Under 10/9 14-1
The girls played a marvellous game of Netball today. Ashdown was leading from the start and the girls did a good job of getting the ball out and finding space. OH
Netball v St Bede’s
Under 12A 24-5
T
oday’s match against St Bede’s was very well played. Each girl put in her best efforts, and for this reason I am so proud of the Under 12As. Winning 24-5, Ashdown is undefeated for this term. Katie S played superbly today, trying out a range of positions, including centre. She was to be seen all over the court, intercepting the ball by jumping into the air at great height. Holly also played brilliantly today. Before the first whistle had even blown, a ball hit her on the head in warm up; however, this did not stop her. She played a great game, especially when being a defence in the goals. Playing on home ground, we had a great support team of parents and siblings who helped to encourage the girls throughout their game and to celebrate their victory. Well done girls! You should all be so proud of yourselves; I know I am proud of you! KM
Netball v St Andrew’s
1st VII 16-10
The girls all played really well today but Millie vG was outstanding in her delivery of the ball. She made a huge impact around the circle. Alexandra Bluck played her first full game for the 1st team today and she slotted beautifully into the position of wing attack. She dodged well and passed efficiently. Vicky was her usual tireless self, making some great interceptions. Laura and Aimee passed well around the circle. Rose-Marie came in as goal shooter for one quarter and at this time Laura had a go at goal attack at which she shone. Elena and Jasmine played well but must alter their game when the attack of the other team are making the same moves repeatedly. Overall a good learning experience. 'Man of the Match' : Millie van Grutten. PMc
2nd VII 16-1
All these girls covered themselves with glory today. Rose-Marie and Lara fitted together beautifully in the shooting circle and shot accurately. Cesci was always free due to her impressive dodging. Gabi was awesome making fantastic interceptions look common place. Dana marked beautifully. Lusha with her intense determination could teach many a more talented player a thing or two about never giving up and fighting for the loose ball. Leah and Sophie were a true force to be reckoned with in defence. WOW girls what a performance! 'Man of the Match': Gabi Skinner for her incredible interceptions. PMc
Under 12A 22-4
Today’s match against St Andrew’s was truly spectacular. I’m proud to report that the girls all played superbly, not only showing off their skills but leading from the start. Katie S played a great first half in the centre position intercepting the ball often. Cosima K also played a great game in first half as wing defence, dodging the opposition frequently. Leading nineteen to one, the girls showed their versatility, taking on positions they do not usually play. Lily I shot a superb goal in the second half, boosting her confidence as a shooter. Well Done girls. KM
Under 12B 1-8
The Under 12Bs put in a great effort in today’s match. Although they lost eight to one, the girls tried their hardest and worked on their skills continuously throughout the match. Tilly G was to be found running all over the court in her centre position, intercepting the ball regularly and exercising her skills with bounce passes, chest passes and lobs. Jenna B began the game not believing in her ability to play a good game, but after only a few minutes as goalkeeper her confidence boosted dramatically and she was on fire. Even though the girls lost, I’m so proud of their effort and have no doubt that next week's game will show further confidence in each individual and in the team. KM
Netball v Fonthill Lodge
Under 11A 22-2
The under 11 girls played superbly in the first quarter. Every girl marked closely and the passing was quick and accurate. Alexandra Mathison did not miss a single shot and the score at the end of the first quarter was 9-0 to Ashdown. For the second quarter some positional changes were made. Helena Foord and Sasha went into the shooting positions where they both worked well together in the circle and managed to score six more goals. At half time further changes were made to even up the game. There was no stopping the girls today though as they played incredibly well in many different positions. Aiko, who normally plays GK, scored two goals. After a few early misses from Grace she then went on to score four quick goals in the last quarter. All credit must go to Fonthill as they never gave up and in the last quarter they scored two lovely goals. Ashdown went on to win the game 22-2. I could not pick girl of the match today as they were all superb. JU
Under 9 11-0
The girls played a fabulous game today it was good to see Ashdown House leading right from the start. Elizabeth and Hatty were constantly intercepting the ball and getting it down the court. We won although Fonthill Lodge put in a massive amount of effort and played a great game. Well done girls. OH
Netball v Marlborough House
1st VII 19-15
The girls had had three practices before this match and were therefore ready to face opposition. Marlborough House fielded a very athletic team who were a little rusty since they play hockey for the majority of the Autumn Term. We played neat and efficient netball in the first quarter and managed to pull ahead 8-4. During the second quarter we pulled ahead by two more goals with Leah having her first quarter with the team at goal keeper. During the third quarter Leah played wing defence and in this one we pulled ahead by one more goal bringing the score to 16-9. In the fourth quarter she played goal shooter and in this quarter the combination of uncertainty in our attacking circle and Marlborough really getting into their rhythm meant that we lost the quarter 3-6. A great opposition for this match and some super netball by our girls, in particular the shooting by Aimee and Laura and the neat and efficient passing around the court by the entire team. 'Man of the Match': Laura Kendall. PMc
2nd VII 13-3
The 2nd team played an excellent match against their opposition, Marlborough House. The game featured terrific shooting by Rose-Marie and Alexandra despite the strong winds. Throughout the game great intercepts were made by Gabi and Sophie enabling the final score in favour of Ashdown. The entire team stepped up a notch in defence to make an awesome game with a great score! EH
Under 12A 18-9
The Under 12As played a spectacular match today against Marlborough House. I am proud to report that the girls won 18-9. Today’s match was thought to provide a challenge, seeing as the girls hadn’t played since the middle of last year; but their dedication and enthusiasm for netball allowed them to show their brilliant skill. Tilly G was to be found all over the court, intercepting the balls superbly as wing attack, and our two shooters, Annabel H and Lily StJ managed to shoot many goals, despite the winds which decided to blow at gale force the moment the girls were up to shoot. Well Done Girls! A great start to the season. KM
Under 11A 18-4
After what seems like an age since we last played, we went to Marlborough House to play a netball match. If we thought that after such a long break the Under 11s would be a little stale, this was certainly not the case. In the first quarter we raced into an early 4-0 lead. Helena SJ played beautifully in the circle, benefitting from Ali's effective attacking and ball feeding into her. Inju was full of beans and controlled the centre court all match. Camilla and Aiko were strong in the defence and made it very difficult for Marlborough House to convert their shots into goals. Grace and Helena Foord shared the WD position and both made a positive impact. Although Ashdown eventually won 18-4, there was some very closely fought netball at times. Girl of the match goes to Bota this week. Her passing of the ball is extremely accurate and can make all the difference in the attack. Well done girls. JU
Under 10 7-8
The girls all put in a fantastic effort today out on the courts. It was great to see the girls playing so well in their first game back. We were neck in neck throughout the whole game with a tie score between each quarter. Unfortunately Marlborough broke away in the last quarter and won by one goal. A special mention to Chloe and Georgie who played a spectacular game. All of the other girls played an amazing game and I commend them on their efforts. OH
Netball v Mid-Sussex
1st VII 23-34
A team of tall athletic girls arrived to play our 1st team today and we could see right from the word 'go' that it was going to be a challenging match. We managed to almost hold our own in the first quarter ending a well fought contest 5-8 down. We headed into the second quarter and found that Mid-Sussex had stepped up a gear and they ran away with that quarter comfortably as we only scored 4 and they scored 13. We were therefore 9-21 down at half time.
After a stiff talking to and tactical discussions we came back out to play the third quarter with our heads up and ready for the next challenge. We played brilliantly in that quarter winning it by 9-3. This gave the girls hope but Mid-Sussex had an answer for us in the last quarter where they played superbly to win the quarter 5-10. Our girls really stepped up to the mark in this one and showed what they are made of. Well played everyone! PMc
Netball v Rose Hill
2nd VII 16-9
On Saturday, 27th November the 2nd team played a match against Rose Hill. They were short of players so Nurshat Izbassar and Lara Murray played for the opposition. Even though it was extremely cold we all played well. Leah did some amazing interceptions while Alex and Rose-Marie shot brilliantly and so the final score was 16-9. Well played everyone!!
Sophie Sood
Under 11A 5-13
The scarves, beanies and fleeces were all out on display this afternoon for one of the coldest matches I have ever umpired! After a lot of star jumps and finger warm ups, the girls bounded onto the court with admirable enthusiasm. The match got off to a great start, with a 3-3 draw at the end of the first quarter, thanks to Sasha and Alexandra’s quick feet and controlled shooting. Well done also to Inju for continuing to play even after she twisted her angle and had a ball to the head twice within 30 seconds!
However, by half time, the girls were starting to fade, with a few slip ups and bad passes. Although we let our draw slip away, the girls played a well fought game and should be proud of their efforts. It was decided that the match was to finish after three quarter time so we could all dash inside for some well-deserved tea! Well done to all players for battling the Arctic temperatures and I look forward to seeing your future matches. GP
Under 11B 3-3
As soon as the girls arrived, the star jumps started to make sure everyone was warm for the match on such a cold day! Despite the cold conditions the girls played an excellent game of netball against Rose Hill today. Our defence was strong with Annabel and Ai working brilliantly in the circle as well as Charas in WD. Also the attack were on the ball and always working hard to get in front of their players and move into space to receive the ball. Unfortunately the game had to be called off at three quarter time due to the cold conditions and the girls drew at 3-3. All the girls played really well and should be proud of their effort! SF
Under 10 13-9
It was a cold but successful game this afternoon against Rosehill. The girls had their usual enthusiasm back in place and I’m proud to say we were in the lead from start to finish! Our defence (Alienor Turanli-GK, Georgie O’Brien-GD and Estella Montagu-WD) got some fabulous intercepts, jumping and reaching for the ball at all times. Claudia Grace (C) made intelligent passes and moved swiftly around the court and should be very happy of how she performed in today’s match. Nurshahar Izbassar (GS) and Tori Burgoyne (WA) worked really well at moving in front of their players and getting the ball into the circle. “Star Player of the Match” goes to Chloe Yorke (GA) who did an outstanding job scoring 12 goals and working ever so hard all over the court. By full time, the score was 13-9 to Ashdown! It was a well deserved win and the girls left the court with big smiles on their faces. Well done to everyone! KB
Netball v Vinehall
Under 11A 10-6
We started this match with some trepidation as Vinehall had a team of very tall girls. Most of their team were head and shoulders above our girls. However, in the first quarter Ashdown did very well to edge into a narrow 3-2 lead. We continued to play well and by half time were a little more comfortable as we pulled ahead 7-3. This was mainly due to our two superb defenders of Susannah, who worked out the Vinehall centre pass and intercepted them all, and Camilla, for her stonewall defending in the circle. The match continued to be a closely fought affair but Ashdown's speed of play down the court, with Inju, Bota and Alexandra, was the deciding factor. Grace had a really good last quarter, making two lovely interceptions, and finally Sasha, who was making her debut in the As, played with real zest and shot some quality goals. The final score was 10-6 to Ashdown. Well done girls. JU
Under 10 9-9
The Under 10s arrived at Vinehall in the cold and went straight into the game. We were off to a not so great start with everyone being very lazy and not putting much effort in. At three quarter time, we were down 7-4. After a firm pep talk, most girls pulled their socks up and tried very hard. There were flashes of great netball skill throughout the game, but their heads just weren’t in the game meaning there were also flashes of “completely crazy playing”. A special mention to Chloe Yorke (GA) who played outstandingly throughout the game but shone especially in the fourth quarter. She scored eight goals in this game. It was a remarkable comeback for the under 10s and the final result was 9-9 which we were pleased with. Well done to all! KB
Under 9 13-1
The girls all played really well in the near freezing temperatures today. After the first quarter we were 6-0 up - here we were playing in our best positions. I moved everybody in the second quarter giving Emily a go at goal shooter and putting Lucy out to goal attack so that she could try the position in a match but also to keep her warm! Scarlett moved out to wing attack so that she could hone these skills and also to ward off the cold. Hatty moved to centre so that she could learn how to link attack and defence. Elizabeth went to goal defence so that she could learn what moves were difficult for her own position's defence to defend. Momoko stepped up to the mark as goal keeper and Cordelia played wing defence. This all went well so I moved all the girls again in the third quarter. Here I gave goal shooter and goal attack to our defenders Hatty and Scarlett, Elizabeth the role of centre and Emily and Lucy goal defence and goal shooter. Cordelia and Annabel played on the wing. For the final quarter we went back to our original positions. A really good game was played by all in every position they tried and Vinehall worked really hard and never gave up! PMc
Netball v St Christopher’s
Under 11B 3-14, 4-1
The girls played a tough game today in the cold weather but still strived to play their best. Ashdown played two 20 minute games against St Christopher’s - both their As and Bs. In both games the girls worked hard to get in front of their players and make as many intercepts as possible. Unfortunately the girls lost their first game against the As 3-14. Despite this the team kept at it the whole game. In the second game the girls won against the Bs 4-1, a well deserved win. Special mentions go to Aiko and Helena who both played fantastically. SF
Netball v Hazelwood
Under 11B 7-4
This was a most enjoyable game. Both teams were very evenly matched and played with great spirit throughout. Ashdown took the lead in the first quarter with some lovely shots from Frances Young. The centre court play was fast and furious which suited Ellie as she is very quick. Charaspat showed that she has a great understanding of the game and always seems to find the space for that crucial pass. Ai who was playing GK, and Kate at WD, made some lovely interceptions and passes. Ashdown were the better side and this was mainly due to our commitment and fitness. We eventually won a close game 7-4. Girl of the match goes to Annabel Edwards in her role as GD. She made numerous tip offs and always has an encouraging word for everyone. JU
Netball v Hurstpierpoint
Under 9 7-8
This was a match where some brilliant play was followed by a disastrous pass thus losing possession. In the first few minutes Scarlett and Hatty made some incredible interceptions and marked as if their life depended on it only to pass the ball straight to the opposition. That's what we will be working on for the next few sessions! Hermione and Izzy dodged well and made good runs into space only to hang on to the ball a little too long and for Hurst's defenders to cover our originally free players. A clear training exercise will follow! Emily and Cordelia both initially dodged well and found super space but then gave up when they were not passed to. Never giving up and clear signals showing that we are free will be included tomorrow! Elizabeth and Lucy both made superb runs into the circle and passed quickly and efficiently to each other. However once behind their opponent they appeared to remain there rather than to move in front. Another practice destined to appear tomorrow!
Overall we could have won the match and certainly would have drawn it if it hadn't been for Lucy being knocked flying as she hurtled into the circle to receive the ball with only 45 seconds to go. However she remained down and time ran away from us. Overall a good effort girls! we have learnt much-but have a way to go. PMc
Netball v St Ronan’s
1st VII 25-9
The girls began a little slowly today allowing St Ronan's plenty of space to move the ball around. It wasn't until the third quarter that they pulled out the stops and showed their true colours. In this quarter they pulled ahead by another 7 goals. In the fourth quarter we switched all our positions around. Millie van Grutten was out standing today so she is our 'Man' of the match. PMc
2nd VII 18-11
The girls played a fantastic game against St Ronan's today winning the game 18-11. The game got off to a brilliant start with Leah and Sophie towering over their opponents and getting every rebound. In the second quarter the attackers really picked up their game, Gabi playing amazingly in the centre and the shooters began sinking shot after shot ending the quarter 8-1. After a few position changes the girls continued to play really well showing their versatility in their foreign positions while still displaying basic netball skills like footwork and strong, accurate passes exceptionally well. All the girls played an amazing game and should all be proud of their win that was definitely deserved. SF
Under 11A 12-13
This was everything you would want in a match with two well matched teams both giving their all. Due to playing conditions, we played a slightly shortened game of three x ten minute quarters. Both teams displayed some excellent controlled netball skills throughout the match. Over the last few weeks we have not been playing to our full potential, but today I was very impressed and pleased with our overall level of play. To explain how close this match was, in the first quarter Ashdown were 5-4 up, in the 2nd quarter 8-8 and then in the last quarter St Ronan's managed to score that vital winning goal in the last few seconds to make the final score 13-12. Girl of the match goes to all the girls today, Camilla, Alexandra M, Bota, Inju, Helena SJ, Grace, Susannah and Aiko. JU
Under 10 3-11
We played a match of ten minute thirds against St Ronan’s and unfortunately we were defeated with the final result being 11-3. The Ashdown girls were off to a good start in the first few minutes scoring the first goal of the match but didn’t manage to score anything else until the last third. The girls showed great sportsmanship but their usual enthusiasm just wasn’t there and it was reflected in their playing. We still need to work on moving and dodging in front of our players and making sure our passes are accurate. There were flashes of great netball skills throughout the game, but it wasn’t our match. Good effort girls, better luck next time. KB
Netball v St Bede’s
Under 11B 11-2
It was a new experience for most of the team to play netball in a Sports Hall. Once we had established which were the netball lines on the court, the U11Bs got off to a fine start and by half time were leading 7-1. Botakoz and Sasha were simply unstoppable in our attack and used their speed of play to gain and keep possession. Frances Young, our goal shooter, made some amazing long range shots. Ellie and Helena SJ shared the centre and WD positions and both played beautifully throughout the match. Ashdown went on to win the game 11-2 and, as the score line reflects, our defence of Annabel Edwards and Ai Yokoyama was magnificent. Very pleasing to see the girls playing so well together and working as a team. Judging by the smiles on their faces at the end the girls really enjoyed the game. Girl of the match goes to, the whole team. Well done girls! JU
Under 9 10-7
The girls found the number of lines marked on the indoor sports hall a little disconcerting to say the least and due to these we were often off side or out of court. However we played magnificently particularly in the first quarter where we shot to a 5-0 lead in the first five minutes due to some incredible shooting by Elizabeth! St Bede's managed one goal as this quarter came to a close. In the next quarter St Bede's stepped up their game and brought the score back to 7-4. One goal was scored apiece in the third quarter and Ashdown edged slightly further ahead in the final quarter.
These talented girls are really beginning to get the hang of netball. Scarlett marked very well, Hatty has made great strides with her passing, Emily was always free and passed accurately and well, Elizabeth shot like a marksman and passed accurately and hard, Lucy dodged beautifully and was always free. Izzy and Annabel picked up many a loose ball and Cordelia was fabulous in her endeavours to mark, dodge and pass.
'Man of the Match' Cordelia for HUGE improvements all round. PMc
2nd VII 13-1
The 2nd netball team played an excellent game against Worth School winning 13-1. Whilst there was quite a margin between the final scores, Worth put up a great fight throughout the four quarters. The whole team played their A game today, but some particular standouts were Leah and Lara whose intercepts were essential to getting the ball down the goal end. It was great to have Gabi back in the centre position and she played a game that didn’t disappoint. Thalia’s skills at both WA and WD were an obvious stand out and were critical to Ashdown’s skilled play in the centre third. A well played game girls; looking forward to many successful matches in the future! EHThe girls all played superbly today especially in the first quarter where we all but won the game taking a 9- 1 lead. Laura and Aimee were superb in and around the shooting circle, Issy, Millie, Elena and Gabi were electric in the centre court and Jasmine, Leah and Gabi were wonderful in defence. It was a great warm up game as the last before the IAPS regionals that they have all been working towards during their Ashdown netball careers, some for as long as 6 years and some for as little as one full netball season. We are all looking forward to putting our collective talents into the tournament next week. 'Man' of the match THE ENTIRE TEAM! PMcToday’s match against Mid-Sussex was a riveting match to watch. Whilst the girls had been nervous about playing a team known for their skill and excellence at netball, by the time the match rolled around fire was in their hearts and they were ready to prove their ability; they were ready to win. And what a win it was, 22-16. This week I can’t choose ‘player of the match’ as each girl put in her best efforts and everyone helped to conquer such a strong team. I will however mention the talent of Katerina and Katie, whose control of the ball and precision in passing helped greatly to continuously feed the ball through each third and down to our shooters, Annabel H and Lily StJ. The fact that the girls played such a great match, with excellent sportsmanship and amazing skill, proves to each of them just how fantastic they are, and how well they work together as a team. Not only did they win today, but they had a fun match too; always an important point. Thank you to the parents who came to watch the game on home ground; it really does mean the world to the girls to have such a large support group. KM
Netball v Cottesmore
2nd VII 8-15
The girls played a tough match in deteriorating weather conditions as the rain got heavier in the second half. The entire team continued to play their best. Excellent play was seen by Dana and Thalia in the centre third. Nurshat’s dedication throughout the game must be acknowledged as she continued to be a pivotal point in the team even after she had to remove her glasses due to heavy rain- for this she was, in my opinion, player of the match. Thanks girls for being such good sports in such tough conditions! EH The girls all played superbly today especially in the first quarter where we all but won the game taking a 9- 1 lead. Laura and Aimee were superb in and around the shooting circle, Issy, Millie, Elena and Gabi were electric in the centre court and Jasmine, Leah and Gabi were wonderful in defence. It was a great warm up game as the last before the IAPS regionals that they have all been working towards during their Ashdown netball careers some for as long as 6 years and some for as little as one full netball season. We are all looking forward to putting our collective talents into the tournament next week! Today’s match against Mid-Sussex was a riveting match to watch. Whilst the girls had been nervous about playing a team known for their skill and excellence at netball, by the time the match rolled around fire was in their hearts and they were ready to prove their ability; they were ready to win. And what a win it was, 22-16. This week I can’t choose ‘player of the match’ as each girl put in her best efforts and everyone helped to conquer such a strong team. I will however mention the talent of Katerina and Katie, whose control of the ball and precision in passing helped greatly to continuous feed the ball through each third and down to our shooters, Annabel H and Lily SJ. The fact that the girls played such a great match, with excellent sportsmanship and amazing skill, proves to each of them just how fantastic they are, and how well they work together as a team. Not only did they win today, but they had a fun match too; always an important point. Thank you to the parents who came to watch the game on home ground; it really does mean the world to the girls to have such a large support group.
