As we enter 7th week, an exciting and competitive term of college netball action is drawing to a close, with some impressive talent on show across all the divisions. The title of Division 1 champions looks like it could go right down to the wire, as both New College and St Peter’s are currently on unbeaten runs.
One of the highlights of their campaign saw a particularly strong New College performance against Brasenose in which they scored sixteen unanswered goals. Things are not looking quite as good for Lincoln, who could be in danger of relegation after a run of four straight defeats, including a 14-3 rout by Teddy Hall.
Division 2 has seen some of the tightest matches so far, including a hotly-anticipated match between previously unbeaten teams from St Anne’s and St John’s. The closely-fought affair did not disappoint and tensions were run- ning high right up to the final whistle when a St John’s comeback was held off by St Anne’s. St Anne’s have attributed their 13-12 win to their mascot, Andy Hall, whose beaver costume and warm-up routines to renditions of ‘Physical’ have provided considerable motivation for the team.
Hall said of their success, “No doubt the leadership of captain Alice Rickett has ensured tight teamwork. Their wins may also be down to their rota of (rather gorgeous) men who really should take their shirts off more. It does wonders for morale and gets this beaver excited.”
Things have also been tight at the lower end of the league, with a 2-2 draw between Pembroke and Keble keeping Keble out of the same run of defeats experienced by LMH B.
The top of Division 3 has also been hotly-contested, with the top teams Somerville and Oriel B separated by just two goals in Oriel’s 12-10 victory. Unfortunately the league has suffered from several forfeited matches; St Peter’s B are currently unbeaten, having squeezed past Trinity 4-2 in their only match so far.
It has been a similar story in Division 4, with a run of four straight wins for Balliol ended by a 20-7 defeat to a strong St Catz B side, who have also played just one match.
In Division 5 Wadham are closing in on the top spot after six wins, including a particularly high-scoring game against Merton, who they defeated 25-6. A strong performance from a pre- viously unbeaten Jesus side meant the deciding game between them was a tense affair, with Wadham just edging it out by 12 goals to 11. The high standard of netball bodes well for the last few matches of Michaelmas and beyond.
