OLDHAM RED KITES WIN DEBUT U11
GRAND FINALS
Oldham Red Kites won the debut U11 YNPL Grand Finals after a dominant win over Starz. This was the fourth time in the club's history they have won this competition.
Quarter-Finals
Oldham Red Kites took on Sutton Town in their opening game, and it was probably the best start they could hope for. They started the game strong and dominated throughout to cruise into the semi-finals.
AP Saints took on Wilmslow Lightning in what was expected to be an AP Saints win. The game started competitively in the first quarter, but Wilmslow established a healthy three-point lead at the back end of the first quarter. AP Saints were expected to come out strong in the second quarter, but for whatever reason, they seemed to lack the competitive edge to threaten Wilmslow's dominance, who continued to move further clear. After such a good season, AP Saints struggled, and Wilmslow, who was well organised, won the game with ease and set up a semi-final tie with Oldham Red Kites.
Oldham Eagles, who had won the U10 Netball Cup Nationals a few weeks before this, took on youth netball powerhouse Turnford. Regardless of age, Oldham Eagles are incredibly talented, and Turnford had to match them for enthusiasm, or it would be a long day at the office. Oldham started the better of both teams and were two points ahead at the halfway point. The second half of the game began to unravel for Turnford, who made too many mistakes, and Oldham Eagles took full advantage. With Oldham Eagles getting stronger, they finished the game in style and won by ten points.
Starz the champions from the Southern Conference were made to work hard against a stubborn Ellesmere Port. By the third quarter, the game looked over, but Starz fell asleep in the fourth quarter and allowed Ellesmere Port back in the game. Luckily, their lead was significant enough for them to win.
Results
AP Saints (11) Vs Wilmslow Lightning (21)
Oldham Red Kites (26) Vs Sutton Town (4)
Oldham Eagles (28) Vs Turnford NC (18)
Starz NC (19) Vs Ellesmere Port (15)
5th-8th Play-Offs
From start to finish, an entertaining game saw AP Saints win by a single point against Sutton Town. In the league, AP Saints brushed aside the Midlands side, but this tie was a lot different. Sutton Town started on the front foot and had a four point lead at the end of the first quarter. AP Saints woke up and began to play the netball we expected them to, and as we went into the fourth quarter, the game looked won due to AP Saints having an eight-point lead. Sutton Town ended the game how they started and pushed AP Saints back and scored goal after goal without response. A late goal, though, from AP Saints saved them, and they advanced to the 5th-6th play-off finals.
Even though it was the 5th-8th play-offs, we were treated to thrilling contests. Ellesmere Port started well against Turnford and was 13-9 ahead at the halfway point. Turnford then began to chip away at the Ellesmere Port lead, and going into the final eight minutes, they were only one point behind. The final quarter was immense; Turnford, whose spectators roared them on, scored goal after goal and eventually went ahead late to book a space in the 5th-6th finals against AP Saints. Final score 20-18.
Results
Sutton Town (15) Vs AP Saints NC (16)
urnford NC (20) Vs Ellesmere Port (18)
Semi-Finals
A few weeks prior, Wilmslow Lightning frightened Oldham after holding them to a draw going into the final quarter of their U11 YNPL Northern Conference. Initially, the game started the same as it did a few weeks prior. Wilmslow was doing well in turning the ball over, and they were 4-1 ahead at one point. There was an opportunity to make it 5-1, but Oldham Red Kite's immense defense stayed strong, and they got back into the game and went in after the first quarter, drawing 6-6. A positive start again from Wilmslow Lightning in the second put Oldham on the back foot. Still, they failed to score on several occasions after some good turnovers, and Oldham took full advantage and started to settle into the game after a shaky start. The scoreline was still competitive at the halfway point, 11-7 to Oldham. After halftime, Oldham started to pull away, and Wilmslow struggled to find the success they had in the first half. Ultimately, it was a good win for Oldham, and they booked their place in the final.
We have had some classic games in ENG, but the game between Oldham Eagles and Starz has got to be up there with one of the most impressive comebacks we've ever witnessed. Starz started well and looked good for the win after their opening quarter performance. Whatever was said at the first interval break got Oldham Eagles fired up, and up until the final quarter, they absolutely destroyed Starz. They were leading 25-20 going into the final quarter. Oldham Eagles looked good for the win until halfway through the final quarter, but that's when the game started unraveling for the U10 Netball Cup champions. After a change of personnel and positions, Starz started to find their shooters, who showed gratitude by sinking shots. The crowd could sense something was brewing, and the pressure began to get to Oldham, who wasted a couple of centre passes, which Starz capitalized on. With thirty seconds to go, Starz found themselves with the ball under the post, and they went ahead and now had to stop Oldham from scoring off their centre pass. Oldham made their way up the court, and a foul was called on Oldham, which meant Starz went through to the final. Incredible scenes followed, but both teams had done great.
Results
Oldham Red Kites (24) Vs Wilmslow Lightning (12)
Starz NC (29) Vs Oldham Eagles (28)
5th-8th Play-Off Finals
After a grueling tie against Ellesmere Port and not having much of a break, Turnford had to face a revitalised AP Saints. Turnford started slow but leveled the game at halftime. AP Saints had the edge fitness-wise because of a longer break, but Turnford wasn't giving up on a fifth-place finish. In the final quarter, Turnford battled hard but could only win the quarter by one point, which meant AP Saints won the tie, and a fifth-place finish was secured.
Sutton Town came from behind to win against Ellesmere Port and clinch seventh place overall. After being behind at halftime, they rallied in the second half to win the game.
7th-8th Play-Off
Sutton Town (20) Vs Ellesmere Port (15)
5th-6th Play-Off
AP Saints (18) Vs Turnford NC (15)
3rd/4th Play-Off
From start to finish, an incredible game saw Wilmslow Lightning come third after a narrow two-point win over Oldham Eagles. Wilmslow was leading throughout the entire game but was only one point down with thirty seconds to go. Oldham tried in vain to grab a draw but couldn't breach the impressive Wilmslow defence, and when the whistle blew for full time, a relieved Wilmslow celebrated, but the game wasn't over. After an issue with the scoring, the umpires added time, but fortunately for Wilmslow, it was their sideline pass. They made their way up the court and landed the killer goal to secure a third-place finish.
Result
Wilmslow Lightning (29) Vs Oldham Eagles (27)
Final
After Starz's dramatic win over Oldham Eagles, the question was, did they have enough mental energy to go against Oldham Red Kites. A positive start saw Starz take the lead early on, but Oldham had a response button and ensured it only lasted a few minutes. At the halfway point, Starz was more than in the game and went out in the second half, hoping to become the first London-based club to win this event. The defense of Oldham was wearing down the Starz attack, and as the third quarter progressed, they were struggling to feed the ball into the shooters. As we reached the final quarter, Oldham was in control and finished the game by winning emphatic style to ensure everyone knew who was No.1 in the country.
Final
Result
Oldham Red Kites (22) Vs Starz NC (9)
All-Star Team: Blythe Cheetham (Oldham Red Kites), Francesca De Barry (Turnford NC), Grace Tannenbaum (AP Saints), Elodie Jenkins (Sutton Town), Evie Ellis (Oldham Eagles), Bella Statham (Ellesmere Port), Amelie Craig (Starz NC), Tilly Knight (Wilmslow Lightning)
MVP: Amaia Onuoha (Oldham Red Kites)