1ST TEAM CAPTAIN ANSWERS SIRENS CALL
Last night saw the first round of Vitality Netball Superleague. Sirens, a new Scottish franchise hosted their first match at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow against another new franchise in the league Wasps Netball. The atmosphere at the match was incredible, in the sold out arena with around 4,000 spectators and was also broadcast live on Sky Sports 2.
Sirens starting line up was as follows.
GS Carla Borrego
GA Ellen Halpenny
WA Nicola McCleery
C Caroline O’Hanlon
WD Claire Brownie (Captain)
GD Rachel Forbes
GK Nicole Aiken Pinnock
Wasps took an early lead 7-3 against the Scottish side. Sirens then found some rhythm with Halpenny linking well with Borrego, who started to dominate in their attacking end, levelling the game at 9-9. With the crowd behind them Sirens managed to claw back the lead to 13-12 after 15 minutes.
In the second quarter Wasps stepped up their intensity and pressure forcing mistakes to creep into Sirens’ play and they struggled getting the ball through the court. With 5 minutes to go in the second half Sirens made some changes. Head coach Gail Parata gave Emily Nicholl 'The nod' and EUNC's wee Emily took to the court at GD. Wasps pressure resulted in a number of turnovers, and they stretched their lead to 13 goals by the time the half time whistle was blown.
In the second half Sirens faught hard to catch up with Wasps, the noise in the arena was crazy and the 4,000 strong crowd were willing their team on. Emily stayed on at GD for the remainder of the match winning valuable rebounds for Sirens and making clean interceptions, she stood out even on the Superleague court. During the post match comments England's Head Coach, Tracey Neville, mentioned Nicholl calling her "the little goal defence, flying around" With the whole of EUNC and Scotland behind her, Emily is going to go all the way! Emily is our hero!
