The Road to Prem Play Offs...

Over the last few weeks it has been all to play for in Division 1 as EUNC 1s, 2s, and St Andrews 1s were all in contention for that all important top spot which guarantees a chance to play for a spot in the Premiership. The 1s managed to continue their winning streak to end up on top, and the 2s coming in 2nd place, their highest ever finish in Division 2 - an amazing result from both teams and a credit to all the hard work put in over the last few weeks!

The 1s have also progressed to the final 4 of the Scottish Cup after their 41-30 win against Glasgow South Saltires!

EUNC 1s vs Glasgow 1s (05/03/2018)

Starting 7: Chloe Logan (GS), Antonia Peckham (GA), Clare Tuohy (WA), Rebecca Metcalfe (C), Emma Niven (WD), Hannah Grant (GD), Eilidh Reid (GK)

On Monday 5th March, EUNC 1s travelled to Glasgow to play their 2nd match of the season against their 1s. We came out strong, with the starting 7 setting up the match nicely for an Edinburgh victory.

1st Quarter: EUNC 1s 17 – 8 Glasgow 1s (17-8)

Shooting Stats: Chloe – 65% k Antonia – 57%

In the second quarter Lara Jones moved to GK with the rest of the team staying the same. Lara had great presence in the second quarter, helping to maintain the high standard of defence after switching with Eilidh Reid. In the attacking end, the shooters managed to pick up the stats after a disappointing start, and converted much more of the ball won by the defence.

2nd Quarter: EUNC 1s 33 – 16 Glasgow 1s (16-8)

Shooting Stats: Chloe – 79% k Antonia – 83%

The 3rd quarter saw Kirstie Burns move to WD (replacing Emma Niven), and Rosie Oakley Slater switch with Antonia Peckham at GA. Kirstie came on and protected the circle edge really well, stopping the dominant WA from feeding the circle quite so easily. She also did a great job at keeping the WA almost out of the game completely, showing that off-the-ball work is equally, if not more important for putting that extra bit of pressure on. (A lesson all of us should learn!).

Rosie came on court with a lot of energy, which really helped the attacking end pick up the pace. She cut the circle superbly and was a real asset to our side!

3rd Quarter: EUNC 1s 45 – 22 Glasgow 1s (12-6)

Shooting Stats: Chloe – 69% k Rosie – 25%

In the final quarter, Abby Riddell came on to C (substituting Rebecca Metcalfe), and Eilidh Reid came back on to GD (substituting Hannah Grant). Abby had a tough task coming on at the end but she didn’t let that phase her, and helped the attacking side come through to win the most goals of any quarter. Eilidh Reid doesn’t often play out at GD, but when she does you can’t miss her! We lost count at the number of turnovers she won for Edinburgh, but the score definitely showed her amazing effort; thank you Eilidh for all of your hard work!

4th Quarter: EUNC 1s 69 – 29 Glasgow 1s (24-7)

Shooting Stats: Chloe – 85% k Rosie – 100% (!!!)

Players Player: Lara Jones (GK) and Clare Tuohy (WA), congratulations!

EUNC 1 vs EUNC 2 (06/03/18)

1s POV:

Having narrowly missed out on the win first time round EUNC 1 had to win their second head to head of the season to remain in contention for the league and the premiership playoff spot!

Starting seven: Chloe Logan (GS), Antonia Peckham (GA), Clare Tuohy (WA), Rebecca Metcalfe (C), Emma Niven (WD), Hannah Grant (GD), Eilidh Reid (GK).

Despite the pressure on this match everyone arrived with such a positive and composed mind set which I think was pivotal in our strong first quarter.

1st Quarter: EUNC 1 20 – 11 EUNC 2 (20-11)

We didn’t make any changes to allow us to settle into the game. We were setting up the full court zone effectively and putting a lot of pressure on them throughout the court.

Half time: EUNC 1 36 – 22 EUNC 2 (16-11)

We made a couple of substitutions going into the second half. Lara Jones (GK) and Kirstie Burns (WD). Everyone adapted really well to these changes and was settled from the onset which was fantastic!

3rd Quarter: EUNC 1 49 – 32 EUNC 2 (13-10)

Going into the final quarter we made some more changes and it was really good to have fresh legs to bring the ball through the court. Abby Riddle (C) and Rosie-Oakley Slater (WA).

Full time: EUNC 1 56 – 45 EUNC 2 (7-13)

I am suuuuuper proud of the whole team. This was a really important win for us and absolutely everyone contributed! To have come so far, even just in this last month since we first played the 2s has been incredible and is reflective of the hard work and commitment we have put into training.

Concluding 4 wins in 4 days, EUNC 1s have been going from strength to strength and are looking forward to even more important matches ahead!

Players Player: Lara Jones (GK)

TWO WEEKS IN A ROW!! Lara has been absolutely smashing it recently. Coming on at half time and her first touch of the ball was an interception. She always shows wonderful composure in the defensive circle which sets the tone for the rest of the team to bring the ball through the court. Well played Lara!

2s POV:

Starting 7 (GS-GK): Meg, Grace, Fergy, Rosi, Hev10, Lauren Met, Ellie

The 2s were feeling the pressure going into the game. Being undefeated in the league so far, they had a lot to prove, but, so did the 1s. An admittedly poor start for the 2s seen them go without goal for several minutes. It took us a while to settle in, but eventually we got going. The first quarter finished 20:11.

The 2s totalled 11 goals again in the second quarter which took the score to 36:22.

At half time we welcomed Gabbi to the court at GA. After half time the 2s lifted their heads and dug deep. The third quarter had a more respectable score of (1s) 13:10 (2s). The 2s actually won the last quarter 13:7.

The final score was 56:45 to the 1s. As a team we are happy with our performance overall, an 11-goal difference is something to be proud of. On the day the 1s were certainly the better team and deserved the win. We are proud to be part of such a competitive club. Players of the match were Hev10 and Fergy, with Rosi and Lauren Met receiving votes too! Thank you again for everyone who turned out to watch, we appreciate it. Thank you to our umpires too! Big netball love.

2s2s2s out x

EUNC 2s 64 - 39 Strathclyde 1s (10/03/2018)

EUNC 1s vs Strathclyde 1s (17/03/2018)

Starting 7: Chloe Logan (GS), Antonia Peckham (GA), Clare Tuohy (WA), Rebecca Metcalfe (C), Kirstie (WD), Hannah Grant (GD), Eilidh Reid (GK)

It was the final day of the league and there was still all to play for. EUNC 1 were faced with another must win game in order to secure the spot in the premiership playoffs.

After some issue with the hall bookings we only had time for a really rushed warmup and didn't have the time we normally do to prepare.

1st Quarter: EUNC 1s 21 – 5 Strathclyde 1s (21-5)

We had a really good start. Through court defence was amazing and the shooters were converting a lot of the ball that was being won by the defence. Despite the score, things still felt slightly unsettled on court so we didn’t make any substitutions to allow us to get into our play.

2nd Quarter: EUNC 1s 41 – 8 Strathclyde 1s (20-3)

In the second quarter, we kept up the strong through court defence. Our midcourt zone was very effective and we were settling into our timing allowing the ball to come through the court really smoothly. I think we played very well in the second quarter and was impressed we kept our intensity up and played our own game.

3rd Quarter: EUNC 1s 59 – 13 Strathclyde 1s (18-5)

The 3rd quarter saw Rebecca Metcalfe move back to WD (replacing Kirstie Burns), and Abby Riddell switch into C. Abby brought a lot of energy into the mid court and put a lot of pressure over the ball. Rebecca plays WD in a different style, covering the space more whereas Kirstie often plays a tight 1 on 1 style of marking. Both were extremely effective but it was nice we can adapt to both as whichever method we are working with changes the play of the defensive unit as a whole and we are always looking to add new dimensions to our play. Also, we all know Rebecca and Hannah love to work together!

In the final quarter, Kirstie Burns came back onto WD (substituting Rebecca Metcalfe), and Rosie Oakley-Slater came onto GA (substituting Antonia Peckham). Eilidh Reid moved out to GD (substituting Hannah Grant) and Lara Jones played GK. We were comfortable we would win the game however we wanted to keep building on our lead and have a strong last quarter to prepare for the playoffs.

Final Score: EUNC 1s 73 – 26 Strathclyde 1s (14-13)

We are delighted to be through to the playoffs and what’s more WE WON THE LEAGUE!!

Players Player: Eilidh Reid (GK)

I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to captain and play with these girls this year. I am extremely proud of them all, the commitment and resilience they have shown throughout the season has been second to none! I am pleased I could give you all my best in my last ever league game!

EUNC 2s 53 - 61 St Andrews 1s