On a knife edge

During winter each Saturday sees us up early, rugged up warm, and at the netball courts to watch Ailish and her team take on that days opposing team.

On surveying the opposing team last Saturday we noted two very tall childen, who stood about a foot or two taller than any of our girls. So at a glance we looked to be disadvantaged, the underdogs.

Our girls worked really hard, and Ailish, who happened to be defending against one of the tall individuals, tried to extend her arms towards the ball at every opportunity.

At the end of the 3rd quarter the score stood at 2 to 8, our girls only having scored 2 goals. It seemed that the girls had meet their match and were being beaten by a better, and taller, team. But that was ok, our girls have won all their games so far this season, and it was inevitable that we would eventually face a lose. So going into the 4th quarter the aim was to minmise the damage and finish the game fighting.

As the girls took to the court to start the fourth quarter we all noticed that the two tall players were not playing that quarter, our girls seemed to be relieved and a little more relaxed.

On the blow of the whistle our girls totally took control of the ball. They scored 2 goals within the first 2 minutes (they play 10 minuted quarters) and from the sideline all the parents cheered. And then 2 more goals were scored by our girls - and from the sideline the parents started to get nervous and anxious - suddenly we were in with a shot, we were only down by 2. The other side had a couple of attempts at goal but were unable to convert (lucky for us). And then, with about 2 minutes to go, we scored 2 more goals.......A Draw.....the girls fought back, closed the gap and drew the game.

They were totally pumped coming off the court, jumping and laughing for joy. The parents were all smiling with total pride thinking about what a great achievement they had produced as a team.

We celebrated with yummy hot chocolates.