Shelley and Earhart began this term’s competition both looking ready and raring to go. Minute one included many great passes, interceptions and great defence especially from Mr Thomas. Earheart won an early goal, gaining them the first point of the match, swiftly followed by Ella scoring for Shelly levelling the score. Ella, Bebe and Mr Thomas were all dominant figures in the game which ended in a 5 all draw.
Lovelace verses Franklin was equally exciting and tense helped by Mr Sinclair-Smith, for Lovelace and Ella for Franklin in the first few minutes. Even though Franklin’s team had a lack of players, they still played strong. Player of match for Lovelace was Georgina and for Franklin, Holly. In the second half of the game Lovelace drastically improved, creating a lot of tension between the two teams. With Mrs Eels and Miss Harris joining, Lovelace their team performance and defence improved even more, but not enough to overcome Franklin, who won 5-4.
Organiser, Mr Kirtland said: ‘I want to extend a huge thank you to all of you for contributing to the first round of the inter-house netball competition during lunchtime on Thursday! We had two fantastic games—both highly competitive and, most importantly, a lot of fun.
A special thanks to all the players, students, and teachers. A big thank you also to our organizing sixth form, our referees, reporters, as well as the timekeepers and commentators. Sound system and photos from Mr Annett, kit from Mrs Lindon and let’s not forget DJ Amo for an amazing set list—it was definitely one of his best!
This year, we’re aiming to keep the matches tighter and the energy high, therefore the second and third sessions will take place next week, so get ready for back-to-back excitement!
Match update from Mr Kirtland…
The much-anticipated Talbot Heath Inter-House Netball Tournament has wrapped up for the year, and what a tournament it was! We were treated to six thrilling fixtures, all played under glorious sunshine, reminding us that summer is still here. The atmosphere was electric, thanks in no small part to DJ Amo, who kept spirits high with some fantastic tunes throughout the day.
The competition on the court was fierce, but the support off it was equally impressive. A massive shout-out to all the students who played, umpired, kept time, commentated, or simply cheered their hearts out for their houses. Your enthusiasm made the day unforgettable, and we can’t thank you enough for getting involved.
As always, one highlight was watching the teachers join in the fun. Mr. Thomas, Mr. Sinclair Smith, Mrs. Eels, and Mrs. Harris certainly gave it their all! Whether it was tactical brilliance or sheer entertainment (we’ll let you decide), they showed us that teachers can play netball too—or at least, they can try!
There were also standout performances from Year 9, proving that the future of Talbot Heath netball is in very safe hands.
Now, let’s dive into the scores from the matches…
Well, before I do, there’s considerable dispute over the results of some games. I’ve gathered a mix of contradictory—and dare I say, controversial—reports. Whispers of “ringers”—players competing for houses that weren’t their own—and allegations of disallowed goals after fouls were called by referees have surfaced.
So, for what it’s worth:
– Earhart 4 – 4 Shelley: A nail-biting draw that set the tone for the day, with both teams showcasing their skills.
– Franklin 6 – 2 Lovelace: Franklin took control early, demonstrating their strength with a decisive victory over Lovelace.
– Shelley 4 – 0 Franklin: Shelley turned the tables with an impressive shutout, proving their defensive prowess.
– Earhart 8 – 2 Lovelace: Earhart displayed a stunning offensive performance, securing a comfortable win against Lovelace.
– Earhart 9 – 4 Franklin: Earhart continued their dominance, outscoring Franklin in another high-energy match.
– Lovelace 1 – 5 Shelley: Lovelace struggled to find their rhythm, while Shelley capitalized on every opportunity for a solid win.
Perhaps all we can say is that it was a game of two halves, and means nothing, and at the end of the day, netball was the true winner.
One thing’s for sure: this year’s tournament was an absolute blast, and we can’t wait to do it all over again next year. Until then, keep practicing those netball moves (and maybe brush up on your rulebooks)!
Mr Kirtland
