Beamers News

CSSC London Beamers Netball Club

Welcome to the website of the London Beamers Netball Club

At long last the games have begun and we were all looking forward to it. The team name has changed to Beamers (instead of Beamers A) and also some slight changes within the team, Clair is now playing GS, myself GA and we have a new addition to the team named Marcia Walder-Thomas, playing WA. Unfortunately we were a player short as Amy, our WD didn’t turn up. NAO also started with 6 players but their 7^th player eventually turned up. The game commenced and we quickly settled down into what was a really good game. Our centre passes worked really well. We lost 2 of our centre passes due to bad passes but we ensured it didn’t happen again. There were some brilliant passes from me into the GS. With our attack in full flight, we went on to dominate the game.

With the loss of our WD, our defence had to work extra hard but were able to hold their own. There was a lot of contact called against our defence. Raslin had to work as GD and as WD, so having to take on the work of 2 people and going all out to accommodate both roles, inevitably meant a lot of contact was made. Marcia in turn cause some contact too but this was solely due to her late take off in attempting to intercept the ball. With the amount of contact being called against them, they started to shown signs of frustration, but we were able to soothe their spirits (I hope).

There was a tense moment when our C, Lorraine, took a tumble and hurt her ankle. We then had to put Marcia W-T in as C and Lorraine took on the role of WA. Marcia W-T took on the role of C without any complaint and proceeded to do an equally good job. This change of play didn’t interfere with the way we played at all, which highlighted our adaptability. At the half time break, we were comfortably ahead with a score of 18:7. We had our team talk and Lorraine was able to resume the role of C. We continued to dominate the game. With our defence being constantly pulled for contact, this enabled NAO to increase their goals with penalty shots. Lorraine’s ankle started to cause her some discomfort and she and Marcia W-T had to swap positions again. At this time we started to get pulled up for the 3 second rule. This was due to Lorraine being unsteady on her ankle and having to take the time to balance herself before releasing the ball, which obviously went against her.

Everyone played really well considering we were a player short. Clair was impressive as GS, holding her position nicely and putting the goals in. Marcia W-T playing her first game with us settled in comfortably and played a brilliant WA. The game finished with a magnificent score of Beamers 36, NAO 16. A superb start to the season. It showed what a strong team we are and this was reflected in the way we played. Congratulations to everyone, especially Marcia W-T for achieving Player of the Match

Beamers v NAO

BEAMERS v CHARLES HOUSE PANTHERS

Our 2^nd game had us up against our nemesis, Charles House Panthers, and yet again due to unforeseen circumstances, we were unable to do our team warm-up because a few of the girls were caught up in traffic. By the time the umpire was ready to start the game, only myself, Clair, Jenny (standing in as C for Lorraine) and another recruit Hannah (standing in for Marcia W-T as WA) were present. I asked Panthers for an extra 5 mins, to which they responded to with a chorused NO!!!! As we only had 4 players and no defence, they allowed us the time. It was then all ears to the phone with Marie frantically phoning Raslin and Marcia to see where they were. We were on court ready to play when suddenly we saw legs a running – Raslin and Marcia bombing it down the road. They had to come straight on and the game finally began. Panthers had the first centre pass and eventually scored. We in turn capitalised on our centre pass and scored – we were playing with 6 players. Lorraine then turned up and played WD. Again some brilliant passes straight from me into Clair ensured Panthers were unable to intercept the ball and the goals started to build up in our favour. There were a few hurried passes from Hannah, which were intercepted but we still managed to pull away. Our defence again got pulled up for contact but again they were both working hard putting pressure on the Panthers’ shooters. Raslin and Marcia were working well with Raslin picking up the GS and Marcia the GA when required. At half time the score was 11:7 to us. We were so excited but we dared not dwell on this fact for fear of jinking ourselves and left it for our supporter Marie to do the celebration dance for us. We went back on court with renewed vigour. Panthers swapped their GA and WA around and were able to pull back some goals. Beamers were firing on full cylinders and we went on to win the game by a close margin of 21:20. Panthers had started to come back but we started in the lead and managed to maintain it all the way through. A massive thanks to Jenny and Hannah for stepping in and playing a brilliant game. Congratulations to Clair for a well deserved Player of the Match. WE BEAT THE PANTHERS.

Date: 20/9/07

Again we didn’t get to do our team warm-up and for now, I haven’t got a problem with it as it isn’t affecting our game. Jenny again stepped in to assist us, but this time she played GD, whilst Raslin played C and Lorraine played WD. Once again, our centre passes worked well and the combination of Raslin, Marcia W-T, Clair and myself in attack worked brilliantly. Clair’s shooting was not on form and she missed a good few shots but Raslin and Marcia W-T fed the ball into the circle with precision and was able to picked me out as I was making my way into the circle, and luckily my shooting was on. After a while, Clair found her form and we were on a roll. My GD was a real tall girl and when I got the ball, with my little short self, I couldn’t see head nor tail of anything but her. All the same I was confident Clair would be holding her space so I just sent that ball through the air into the space Clair was holding and hoped for the best and boy was I glad they worked. Our attack was strong but there were a few times when we were rushing unnecessarily.

Although it was the first time Marcia and Jenny played defence together they were doing a good job. SS2’s shooters were sometimes too easily able to get away from Marcia, and I felt, with Marcia’s experience this shouldn’t have happened as they were not strong players. At half time we agreed we were rushing for no reason and discussed our defence. We then had our first group huddle (you know the 1, 2 3, BEAMERS thing!) and went back on court raring to go and go we certainly did. Marcia and Jenny gelled even better and made some lovely interceptions. Between Marcia, Jenny and Lorraine (you would never believe she has an injured ankle) the ball was brought smoothly down into the attack. Once again, Beamers displayed their ability to be versatile and worked as a team and that in itself was lovely to see. The game continued with us attacking bad and defending hard and the game finished with a great score of 32:11 to us. Special mentioned has to go out to Marie, who although isn’t due to play her first game until 4/10/07, has come down every week and supported us along with Ann, who wasn’t there today only because she’s away on holiday. Thank ladies, your support is much appreciated and gratefully received. Last, but not least, congratulations to Marcia W-T, for achieving Player of the Match.

BEAMERS v HOME OFFICE

04/10/2007

This was the last game that we really had to worry about. Home Office was out to ensure they beat us and gave us a really good game. At first the scores were on even keel but then we began to dominate the game. The HO defence tried hard to harass me and Clair but our attack was able to play the ball around, looking for the space being created by me and Clair and this worked brilliantly. At long last we were able to play with our WD – Amy although it was a close shave as she arrived as we were about to go on court.

We went on to play our game and remained calm and collected and continued to drive forward with our play.

There is nothing much more I can really say about the game. There is some scope for improvement within our defence but plans are in place to address these. The team has come together very nicely this season and I am confident we will go on to dominate this league again next season. All we need to do now is build on what we have and move on to another level of play.

Congratulations to all for a well played game and well done to Clair for being awarded Player of the Match.

BEAMERS v SHARP SHOOTERS 2

27/09/2007

We went on to play our game and remained calm and collected and continued to drive forward with our play.

Congratulations to all for a well played game and well done to Clair for being awarded Player of the Match.