YOUTH overcame experience when Swaythling Babes outshot Old Shirley to win a hard-fought encounter 29-24.
It was never going to be easy for Babes, taking on the power and experience of Old Shirley, who looked the better team at the start.
It took the Babes some time to get into the swing of the game as Old Shirley showed their experience on court and the height of their shooter promised to be hard to defend against.
Both teams worked consistently hard but Shirley led 7-5 at the end of the first quarter.
Some of the Babes' players showed excellent balance and co-ordination skills and they paid off in the second quarter to pull the score back level at 14-14 going into the half-time break.
With their own goal attack in good form, Babes manged to enter into the last quarter leading by four goals.
The last quarter saw 100 per cent effort from both sides but Babes held on for their win.
LET'S MEET THE TEAM:
Lesley Cleary - Volunteered to guide the Babes as coach for this season. Lesley has been involved with netball for 20 years and with Swaythling for four as a regular umpire and player.
Jo Pearce - Goal shooter Jo has been playing netball for 12 years but is still only 18. She is an ex-Weston Park player but has been with the Swaythling club for three years and also coaches the Swaythling Chicks team.
Menna Hawkins - An 18-year-old, Menna has been playing for ten years. She likes to be part of an enthusiastic team and finds netball a good way to de-stress and unwind, especially during A-levels.
Ruth Hadfield - Ruth,18, has been playing for ten years. She played for Weston Park until she was 16, then moved to Swaythling. Likes to let off steam by playing netball as it is "energetic and exciting" especially in a close game.
Carly Halford - Has been playing netball for ten years. Likes to play to get away from the stress of exams.
Kelly Parker - A 17-year-old, she has been playing for eight years, and for Swaythling for two. She loves the game as it is good fun and a great way to meet friends. She finds Babes have a good team spirit.
Phillippa Turner - Another 18-year-old, she has been playing for Weston Park since she was 13. She wants to have a fun summer league before going off to university. Netball keeps her fit and takes her mind off her studies and college for a short while.
Stephanie Long - At Swaythling for two and a half years, 18-year-old Stephanie is currently at Tauntons studying. She used to play for Home James.
Laura Bell - Ex-Weston Park player Laura, 18, has been playing netball for ten years and been at Swaythling for two. Currently studying for A-levels at Itchen College, Laura enjoys the game as a good way to keep fit and have a laugh with friends.
Lucy Isaacs - At 18, Lucy has played for Weston Park for ten years and likes to play netball for the competitive element of the game. It also keeps her fit.
Most of the girls play for other clubs, but in the summer league decided to join up to play for the last time as friends before all disappearing off to university.
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