National Team
Kelly Cobb
Jackie Bradley
Sally Semple
Shelley Musson
Sally Pearce
Paula Williams (C)
Laura Savage

Match Reports:

8th Jan 2012 Vs Poole Aquarians, AWAY

Sunday 8th January was an early return after Xmas  for Leamingtons National Squad. First Match of the second half of the season saw the squad travel down to Poole in Dorset for the return match against Poole. The squad had previously beaten Poole at home but knew not to take this complacently as the difference between home and away teams has been a real learning curve in this premier division. Quarter 1 saw Leamington start steadily with Ashley Dodds filling in for Sally Pearce who is injured. The team settled nicely with good strong accurate passing and good shooting from Birthday Girl Kelly Cobbs, quarter ending 11-7 in Leamingtons favour. the team stayed the same for the second quarter although Poole started putting the pressure on and basic errors started creeping into Leamingtons game. They lost that second quarter by 1 goal. Coach Debbie Hone made some changes at half time to try and counteract Pooles tactics-Ellie Mc Nab came on to WD, Vicky Smith replaced Jackie Bradley at GA. This was enough to really upset Poole as the change in speed and pace of play took them by surprise and Leamington stormed into a 10 goal lead at the end of the third quarter. The last quarter was very frantic as Poole threw everything at Leamington in order to try and disrupt the play and get some turnovers, however the steady influence of Captain Paula Williams and the consistency of Kellys shooting helped the team retain their 10 goal lead with the final score being Poole 35 Leamington 45. This result has pushed Leamington up into 4th place in Premiers 3rd division which is excellent for their first season at this level. The teams next game is home at Warwick Prep School on 22nd January when they take on Sussex Thunder which promises to be an exciting, physical game. 

9th November - Home Vs Just Ahead

Leamingtons National Squad took on Just Ahead on Sunday 6th November. This was going to be a tough match as Just ahead were just one position ahead of Leamington in the League tables. Leamington started quarter 1 with good focus and although without their normal GS, the new format settled down quickly with accurate shooting from Jackie Bradley and Sarah Taylor. Just ahead took a while to settle and Leamington edged by 2 goals into the lead at the end of Quarter 1. Quarter 2 started well but errors kept creeping in as Just ahead got into their stride and they ended that quarter 5 goals up on leamington.

Coach Debbie Hone brought on Hannah Kirk-Wilson and Vicky Smith for quarter 3 and fresh legs helped the team edge back into the match. Ferocious defending and exellent work from Shelley Musson and Sally Semple in midcourt brought leamington well and truly back into it but were still only 2 goals up going into the 4th quarter. They kept the same team format for the last quarter and the game wa shugely intense as both teams threw everything into that last 15 minutes. Excellent shooting and feeding into the attack circle combined with tremendous all out defending resulted in Leamington gaining a 49-43 victory. Leamington are currently sitting 4th in Premier 3 which is a great start to their first season at this level.

2nd Oct - Away Vs Sussex Thunder - Final Score 27- 46 (Leam)

Leamington National Squad took on Sussex Thunder on Sunday 2nd October. After a very early start and a 3 hour journey the girls quickly got composed for their warm up against what was to be the most physical game they had encountered so far in Premier Division 3. The first quarter started with an unusual 3 misses at goal from GS Kelly Cobb, however, the strong defense combination of Paula Williams, Sally Pearce and Laura Savage made it equally as hard forSussexto get the ball into the circle.Leamingtonsettled after the first 5 minutes, got into their stride and the first quarter ended 12-5 toLeamington.

The second quarter saw Sussexmake a few changes to try and counteract the strong leamington side. Fantastic play by Shelley Musson, jackie Bradley and sally Semple gave Kelly all the balls she needed in the circle to increase their lead to 21/10 at the end of the second quarter. the 3rd quarter sawLeamingtonbeing literally  battered bySussexwith late contact and some mid air collisions however, whilstSussexlost their calm,Leamingtonremained focused throughout and increased their lead again to 35/18. The last quarter saw a few errors creeping in from a tired and bruised leamington side but the determination to win never faded andLeamingtonended the game with an outstanding 46/27 win. Coach Debbie Hone "i am delighted with the girls performance-the best yet in the competition and I  know the girls can give even more.Our next game is away at Grangetown this  Sunday and it will also be a tough one but I am sure the girls will come on strong as they did on this occasion".

24th Sept - Home Vs Poole - Final Score 46-34 (Leam)

Leamington National Squad took on Poole Aquarians at Warwick School on Sunday in their first home match of the season. The game started extremely well with Kelly Cobbs accurate shooting and great defensive play by Laura Savage and Paula Williams (capt). This was always going to be an extremely physical game and we were pleased to end the first quarter in the lead by 3 goals. The second quarter saw Poole lack discipline and Leamington took advantage of this and increased their lead. The third quarter again was tight but fantastic play by Shelley Musson, centre and accurate feeding into the circle combined with an awesome performance by Kelly Cobb saw Leamington finish the game with a resounding 46-34 win. Chair Lorraine Preston said " this is a great win, the girls came out extremely focused from the start and played very well. Games at this level will always be very close and tough and we need to be prepared both mentally and physically for each game.  am delighted with the win and huge thanks to all our supporters who came on the day to cheer us on!"

18th Sept - Away @ Lawn- Final score 41-42 (Lawn)

Leamingtons newly promoted National team took on Lawn, at Swindon on Sunday. This was their first match of the season and a it took a whole for the girls to settle. Lawn were very tight in defense and Jackie Bradley, Sally Semple and Kelly Cobb had a difficult time in a very phsical first quarter.They managed to inch forward with a two goal load ready to take on the second quarter. the team remained in the same formatt in the second, however, the pressure that Lawn placed them under, resulted in bad passing and they fell 5 goals behind. The 3rd quarter sawLeamingtonstart to fight back in trueLeamingtonstyle and really started reading the game and playing Lawn effectively. They still were 5 goals down going into the final quarter, so with everything to play for, they dug in deep. Shelley Musson (Centre) was incredible in her work rate, the attack started moving and firing balls into Kelly (GS) and with 2 minutes to go, the team pulled back to 2 goals behind. The last 2 minutes saw a increased drive fromLeamingtonbut there just wasnt enough time to pull back-they finished with a 1 goal difference- 42-41. Coach, Debbie Hone " this was their first match at National level and it took a while for the girls to settle-their play got steadier and better throughout the match and it was  shame that we were just pipped at the post"