Weston PARK consolidated their position in the National Netball League with a narrow win over Hucclecote.

Two places above their opponents in the league, Weston knew victory could be vital.

The game was an extremely fast and physical contest early on, with lots of action for the crowd to shout about.

Nicky Jordan and Donna Langrish both shot well and, by the end of the first quarter, Weston were leading 15-9.

During the next quarter Hucclecote pulled a few goals back with some excellent feeding into their goal shooter, Kerry Hawkins.

And they switched things around to enter half-time leading 25-24.

The third quarter saw Weston suffer a temporary loss of concentration and drive which allowed the opposition to secure an eight-goal lead.

But Weston was as determined as ever and, with encouragement from the sidelines they narrowed the deficit to four goals going into the last quarter.

They made positional changes, Shirley Eastwood coming on for Kelly Oxlade as wing defence, Michelle Andrews replacing Nicky Jordan as goal attack and Jo Payne returning to replace Gemma Stephens.

It made a difference and, with the score level at 42-42, Weston somehow managed to dig deep. With the noise of the crowd helping to spur them on, they won the game 50-47.

The contest was an excellent display of netball at its highest and the atmosphere great for both the players and the spectators.

Teams:

Weston Park: Donna Langrish, Michelle Andrews, Nickie Jordan, Emma Woodley, Gemma Cornwall, Hayley Costick, Megan Feltham, Kelly Oxlade, Shirley Eastwood, Sam Page (captain), Jo Payne, Gemma Stephens

Hucclecote: Kerry Hawkins, Jess Garland, Hayley Mortimer, Anna Moyes, Paula Jones, Ursula Bowers, Clare Baverstock.

Weston Park had their last national league match last weekend and, although they lost, they still secured a fourth-place finish - excellent as they achieved their aim of maintaining Division 1 status.

Well done to both Weston Park and Swan Centre youth teams who competed at the national youth championships finals.

Weston Under-16 played extremely well in the rounds but unfortunately did not progress any further and their Under-19 team were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

Swan Centre Under-16 played ten games, winning four, drawing one and losing five. They gained an extreme amount of experience from attending the nationals and they now know what they have to work on for next year.

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