Disappointment for Cowie Ladies
There was disappointment last week for Cowie Ladies Netball Club as both their Black and White teams suffered defeat in their latest Aberdeen and District Netball Association league fixtures.
Despite fielding a full team for the first time this season Cowie Whites were overwhelmed by the much stronger and more fluent Newmachar 2 in their third division match.
The Whites won the toss and started with the first centre pass and the recently formed team were made to work hard from the start by Newmachar who played with familiarity. Disaster struck midway through the second quarter when captain Bev Coutts had to be substituted after a serious ankle injury. This forced the Whites to field their debuting inexperienced players for the rest of the game and they went into the half time break still fighting but 18-4 down.
Despite their inexperience the Whites pulled together and worked hard to hold it out for the final two quarters. They succeeded in eliminating the silly mistakes of the first two quarters and fought through until the final whistle and a final score of 35-6 to Newmachar 2.
Cowie Player of the match went to Sally Carns. While the Whites currently occupy the bottom of the table they are still in good spirits and always enjoy their games, while holding out high hopes of achieving their first win soon, with their next opportunity against Ellon 2.
In a nail biting division two encounter Cowie Black’s collapse in the last five minutes handed victory to their neighouring rivals, Newtonhill based Rebound. The first quarter opened well for the Blacks, having won the toss they took the first centre and scored straight off, however Rebound hit right back with a goal from their centre pass. All points were hard fought, and when scoring went against the centre pass each team would work hard to turn it round and win it back. The quarter finished 8 all.
Both teams remained unchanged for the second quarter and once again the scoring was tight with the lead sea sawing between the teams. Rebound’s attack moved well in the circle and the Black’s defence gave them too much space, allowing passes in near the post and giving easy shots at goal. The first half ended with Rebound one goal ahead 16-15.
Both teams made changes in the third quarter, none of which upset the balance of play. The centre court players from both teams worked hard to get the ball into their respective scoring circles and the effort was rewarded with beautiful scoring from all the shooters. The Black’s Goal Shooter was penalised a couple of times for contacting her opponent in the attacking circle, which not only lost possession but a scoring opportunity, and defensive misunderstandings allowed Rebound’s attack a number of chances at goal. Despite these setbacks the Blacks fought on to finish the quarter in the lead, 24-23.
The last quarter opened once again with scoring, and the lead, switching back and forth between the teams. Eventually a couple of careless passes from the Blacks gave Rebound an edge that they were able to capitalise on and they started to break away. The Blacks couldn’t respond and their passes became frantic, missed their target or were intercepted. They seemed to loose their fight and Rebound’s lovely shooting allowed them to end a clean well fought match the winners by four goals. Final score 32 –28. Vicki Corbett was the deserved recipient of Cowie player of the match.
The Blacks will have to pick up their game if they are to make any impression against their next opponents, the young and quick Newtonhill team.
