IN the penultimate week of the Ora Winter Netball League, many teams saw out their final matches of the season to cement their positions in the league.
With top spots Divisions 1, 2 and 4 going to Convent A, St Brelade A and Accies F respectively, all eyes are now on a battle between Accies E and St Clement B to claim the pole position in Division 3. Rescheduled games mean that some teams with finish their season next week, when the final results will be revealed.
Division 1
St Saviour A 55-35 Accies B
Accies A 25-51 St Lawrence A
St Lawrence A ended their Division 1 campaign in style with a 51–25 victory over Accies A to secure runners-up spot in the Ora Winter League. The match was also a poignant occasion as it marked the final game for long-serving coach and club president Jackie Nelson, who began proceedings with a ceremonial first centre pass.
Saints, beaten only by champions Convent A this season, fielded an experienced side that quickly asserted control. Player of the Match Jo Woodham (GK) produced a series of outstanding interceptions to create crucial turnovers. Accies, missing some key players, battled hard, with their POTM Kat Le Riche (GD) driving play down court.
Clinical shooting from Nicole Goddard in the third quarter helped Saints open up a decisive 14-goal advantage and comfortably close out the win.
Convent B 35-36 St Clement A
St Clement A claimed their first win of the season in dramatic fashion, edging Convent B 36–35 in a closely fought Division 1 contest.
The young Convent side started brightly, moving the ball well through court and feeding their shooters with confidence. Their defence, led by POTM Bethannie Wood (GK), impressed in the second quarter with tips, interceptions and rebounds to maintain a narrow lead. Mid-court play was evenly matched, with Convent’s Isla Cronin and St Clement’s Emily Reynolds and Nadia Lopes linking play effectively.
St Clement’s defence of Ella Vieira (GK) and Cerys O’Connell (GD) tightened in the third quarter to close the gap. A dramatic final period saw the lead change hands before Megan Hamilton’s movement and clinical shooting secured victory.
Division 2
St Brelade A 55-40 Accies C
Accies D 22-54 Convent C
St Ouen A 42-42 St Saviour B
St Lawrence C 64-44 St Lawrence B
St Lawrence C produced a strong all-round display to defeat St Lawrence B 64–44 in Division 2. C set the early tempo with slick movement through court, pushing B onto the back foot to open up a 15–8 lead after the first quarter.
Georgie Dodd (GS) and Clem Turner Powell (GA) combined well in the circle in the second period, converting chances with confident shooting. At the other end, Player of the Match Rachel Baugh (GD) and Jackie Pannenborg (GK) delivered an excellent defensive performance, applying constant pressure to disrupt B’s attack as C extended their advantage to 35–20 at half-time.
Despite St Lawrence B’s efforts to close the gap, C maintained control to seal an impressive victory, with Evie Le Breton named B’s Player of the Match.
Division 3
St Brelade B 37-62 Accies E
Accies E finished their debut Ora Winter League season in style, defeating St Brelade’s B 62–37 in Division 3. From the start, Accies set a high tempo, with shooters Kacey O’Connor (GS) and Zoe Morales (GA) combining expertly in the circle, supported by Captain Estelle Le Mornier (C) and Barley Vibert (WA) through midcourt.
Defenders Flori Lofthouse (GK) and Clara Malory (GD) produced crucial interceptions to keep St Brelade’s at bay. In the second half, Ava Huish (GS) and Morales remained calm and clinical, with Huish named POTM. Despite St Brelade’s battling hard, Poppy Roche earned her side’s top honours as Accies closed out a brilliant season.
St Lawrence D 33-28 St Brelade C
St Lawrence D, made up of all U18 players, pulled off a fine win over St Brelade C in Division 3, triumphing 33–28 in a tense penultimate league clash.
St Brelade’s experienced side started strongly, with Centre Libby Barnett feeding tall shooters Isla Riley (GS) and POTM Lolly Waters (GA) to hold a narrow 18–16 lead at half-time. However, St Lawrence’s POTM Merri de Gruchy (GK) then read the game brilliantly, restricting her opponents’ shooting and enabling GA Corbiere Cargo to capitalise on opportunities. The young Saints’ grit and precise finishing allowed them to overturn the deficit and claim a well-earned victory.
St Clement B 37-36 St Ouen B
St Clement B edged St Ouen B 37–36 in a thrilling clash, with both sides trading leads in a high-intensity contest. Missing four squad members, St Clement relied on team flexibility, with Alli Livesey impressing at WD and C, linking strongly with Jane Wright at WA.
POTM Chloe Ham Howes was clinical under pressure, converting from all areas despite tight defence from Lauren Byrne (GK) and Sarah Ramasawmy (GD). St Ouen’s determined trio—Jasmine Le Lievre, Sarah Attwood, and Zoe Barrett-Banks—kept their side in contention throughout. In a dramatic final five minutes, St Clement held their nerve to snatch victory by a single goal.
Division 4
Convent D 35-21 St Lawrence E
