The Easter break allowed some thinking and learning space… watching the London Mavericks at the Hertfordshire Sports Village live on Sky Sports would of certainly been inspiring and Jades being mid-table after the half term update should of given the girls the hope that there is still all to play for this season and there efforts to date haven’t gone un-rewarded.

Training went well. 3 new players trying out and a focus on defensive plays and retaining possession seemed to have the girls clicking on Friday night.
Sunday’s match is upon us, the sun is beating down and even a few Sapphires players turned up early to cheer on Jades first game back.
After a brief exhibition warm-up at the front of Bedford Academy and sun-creaming coach Yessi (because she can’t be trusted), around to the courts we head.

BEDFORD TIGERS JADES VS WESTONING MARS
Court 1 was our first venue, led out by RUSSELL, G as team captain.
Westoning Mars the opponents. 3rd in the league and still a chance to take the top spot.

Westoning get us underway to the sound of the bell and they looked strong from the opening whistle. Jades are forced to defend early on and some strong defensive play was called on early through RUSSELL, G and GRANT-JONES, S. Westoning seemed to be stringing passes together at will during the first quarter and in all honesty there were some clear signs of ‘rustiness’ from our girls following the visit from the Easter Bunny.
Their will was still very strong and effort could never be questioned but that sharpness of ball handling and finding that right pass seem to evade them, giving possession away and being on the back foot.
Just before the first whistle ending the quarter, all that pressure paid off for Mars who eventually find the net and take the lead.

BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 0 WESTONING MARS 1

The second quarter felt much of the same with a consistent Westoning team piling on the pressure forcing Jades into mistakes. Taking away the positives, the girls stood-up with some stern defending, RUSSELL, G again diving in to make more then a few key interceptions.

In the second minute of the second quarter Westoning again found a way through, doubling their lead in as many quarters.
And a third just a minute later as the pressure continued.

BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 0 WESTONING MARS 3

As half time came and went, being 3-0 down would put off lesser teams but I am yet to see any of these girls drop their heads or admit defeat and that is one of the biggest testaments to this team this season. They galloped out onto the third quarter and there was an instant change to their netball. Maybe they just needed the half to shake of those cobwebs? And despite another goal early on from Mars attack, play was evening up.

BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 0 WESTONING MARS 4

Jades were getting possession more and more in the Westoning half and chances were starting to come. A penalty awarded for the pressure but it wasn’t to be converted. A couple more opportunities and it felt like a goal was coming soon.
A goal did come in the 3rd minute of the 3rd quarter, in the form of the Westonings blonde GS with glasses who neatly tucked it away to make 5.

BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 0 WESTONING MARS 5

I would still go as far to say, Jades had the best of it that corner and with flashes of brilliant decision making and well timed movement showing what potential these girls have. A stand-out take of the ball in her own third by PARKINSON, G with a direct and clean pass through centre. The curved run from PARKINSON, G from back to front and demanding the ball back in the D was enough for a goal on its own in my opinion. A great piece of movement but it wasn’t finished off.

As we move into the final quarter the tables had turned some what with early pressure being applied by the Tigers and the cobwebs had long been blown away it was clear to see. An assist from PARKINSON, G to provide RUSSELL, G that shooting opportunity she needed to get Tigers onto the scoreboard. And as always, the Tiger army did not disappoint, the loudest roars across the court!
Celebrations were sadly short lived with an instant return from Westoning, keeping the gap 5.

BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 1 WESTONING MARS 6

Tigers were not done. As quickly as it went up the court it was back again with a converted goal on her second attempt by RUSSELL, G getting a well earned brace for the game.

A 6-2 defeat but I can’t help but think if there were a couple more quarters, that game would of turned! Let’s hope they were now up and running for their next game again Maulden Kubs.

Final Score - BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 2 WESTONING MARS 6

MAULDEN KUBS VS BEDFORD TIGERS JADES

With no rest in between they were up against the Kubs and although the detail will not be present in this game as the author wasn’t present, I am reliably informed Jades weekend was a ‘tale of two games’ with their performance against the Kubs being a contender for their finest this season.

Determined not to be caught napping this time, out of the blocks the Tigers came. From centre straight into the arms of RUSSELL, G who knows where the goal is and had really found her shooting arm. This being her third goal for Jades which takes her to the teams top scorers this season.

MAULDEN KUBS 0 BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 1

Jades were working hard this first quarter, lots of movement to find space and SAMPLA, A in the middle of the court the busiest. A near miss soon after by MCGRATH, B nearly had the lead stretched seemingly found its way back out of the net.
Shots seem to come by the bucket full this quarter and at times some netball tennis over the Maulden net. deserving more the whistle blew at the end of the quarter and it remained 0-1.

A different Maulden came out for the second and they had got their passing game together, early on drawing the game level as they made a series of direct passes straight into the Tigers D to convert.

MAULDEN KUBS 1 BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 1

With the game a bit more even there were battles in the centre third and ping pong at times with scrappy play and no one able to get their hands on it. Eventually it settles to a Maulden player who take their opportunity and go into the lead in the middle of quarter 2.

MAULDEN KUBS 2 BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 1

A ‘so close’ moment for SAMPLA, A came with a confident shot from distance (the girl loves to shoot) and the effort being a bit too high on this occasion, you could see the disappointment on her face.

Maulden step onto court for the 3rd having the advantage and these plays straight ‘off of the bat’ were really doing damage for both teams as Maulden take the ball straight up filled and increase their lead by 2.

MAULDEN KUBS 3 BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 1

A small break in play was found from what was building to be quite a tense game. The Maulden Centre going over on her ankle needed replacing… we wish her a speedy recovery!
Possession again started to come to Tigers as it often does, coming and going in waves and as is often the case stemming from the hard work of PARKINSON, G. Movement in and around the D was something worked on in practice and hearing this was put in action in a game was really pleasing.

The final quarter still had all to play for but a slow start, not through lack of effort with miles put on the clock throughout the court from the likes of RUSSELL, G and GRANT-JONES S. Better communication was being knitted together with TOMKINSON, P given direction and support to her team mates. The improvement in play and the incentive of money being heckled from the parents, shot GRANT-JONES into a winning position. Straight and direct, all of a sudden JADES were just one behind. (Pay up parents!)

MAULDEN KUBS 3 BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 2

Punished again though straight from centre put Maulden back with a 2 goal cushion.

MAULDEN KUBS 4 BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 2

19 minutes in GRANT-JONES was hoping to fill her piggy bank …. And the team were going to help her! Mid-court passing into the attacking D beautifully found our netball shark who seemingly couldn’t miss now.

MAULDEN KUBS 4 BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 3

The final minutes were all Tigers, gripping stuff as the ball bounced back and forth over the Maulden net but despite 6 or 7 consecutive efforts the girls couldn’t find that equaliser this time around!

No wins this weekend but entertainment factor was high and everyone enjoyed it. More to work on in training and the girls continue to grow. they should be proud, another mile stone - most goals scored in a league match so far.
Next weekend we might need to bring our bags of coins with us to keep the scoring high!

Final Score - MAULDEN KUBS 4 BEDFORD TIGERS JADES 3

Star Player(s) - RUSSELL, G for both her defensive play and accurate shooting
GRANT-JONES, S for her continued efforts on and off the ball