Footlose vexed by Vixens - but pretty against Pinks

Footloose were under pressure from the off and Louise Grainger at goal attack was marked closely by the Vixens goal defence, but still made some impressive movement.

Emma Newbery partnered Grainger well to give Footloose a confident shooting start. In the defensive half, Yvie Belcher and Jo Dudman worked together to hold strong despite long-range shooting from the Vixens.

This was backed up by Liza Gamblin at centre and Anna Drabble at wing defence helping to move intercepted balls up the court. After the first quarter, it was 6-6.

Footloose aimed to keep their momentum and Sarah Gainsborough came on to lend a hand in the centre.

Gainsborough fed good balls to Vicky Fuller-Woodhead who in turn serviced the shooting third well.

Newbery stepped in at goal attack to try to combat the ability of the Vixens goal defence. Forcing interceptions in the shooting third, Grainger and Newbery started to unsettle the Vixens defence.

At the other end Dudman, Drabble and Belcher pulled off courageous interceptions and Dudman worked hard to predict the strategic passing of the shooters.

At half-time, Footloose led 11-10.

Gamblin came on at centre to command play as Gainsborough dropped into wing attack. Gamblin and Gainsborough worked well but Grainger and Newbery came under considerable pressure.

Drabble worked well with Belcher to limit the Vixens’ attacking prowess, and Dudman prevented balls from working their way into the shooting circle.

Footloose were trailing 19-16 and, slightly panicked by the Vixens’ tenacity and aggression in defence, Newbery and Grainger struggled to get in a good shooting position.

Despite Gamblin and Fuller-Woodhead working hard around the shooting circle, the attack were marked heavily.

Vixens pulled away from the Footloose score towards the end

Footloose player of the match was Dudman.

FOOTLOOSE: Emma Newbery, Louise Grainger, Jo Dudman, Anna Drabble, Vicky Fuller-Woodhead, Liza Gamblin, Yvie Belcher, Sarah Gainsborough.

Footloose 48 Pinks 21

In freezing conditions, Footloose started the first quarter strongly.

Liza Gamblin at centre and Anna Drabble at wing Attack were linking well while Louise Grainger and Emma Newbery quickly converted this into points, and Footloose were 14-5 up after the first quarter.

Jo Dudman started confidently in defence to rush Pinks’ attacks. Yvie Belcher intercepted many of Pinks’ passes, with great support from Sarah Constable at wing defence.

Paula Newham came on at goal attack to lend pace to the width of the shooting third as Footloose built on their lead. At half-time, they led 23-11.

Starting the third quarter, Newham moved to goal shooter and made some accurate long-range shots to support on-form Grainger at goal attack.

Gamblin and Drabble supported the shooting circle well. With help in the centre third from Constable and Dudman, Footloose made great attacking strides.

Going into the last quarter with a 32-16 lead, Footloose stepped up once more as Newbery returned at goal shooter.

Grainger demonstrated great shooting, and with Newbery moved the ball around the shooting circle with great ease.

Drabble and Gamblin helped the shooting duo into strong goal positions. Meanwhile in defence, Constable and Dudman were working hard to limit balls reaching the Pinks’ shooting quarter.

Despite some lob balls, Belcher did well to stick close to her player and intercepted many of these high passes.

Player of the match was Drabble.

FOOTLOOSE: Emma Newbery, Louise Grainger, Jo Dudman, Anna Drabble, Sarah Constable, Liza Gamblin, Yvie Belcher, Paula Newham.