Yorkshire Jets secured their first win of the Vitality Netball Superleague season in a dramatic encounter beating Celtic Dragons by one point.
Jets had to use every ounce of grit and determination to hold on for the victory after the Welsh side came back from being seven-points behind at the end of the third quarter.
Dragons took the lead at one point in the final 15 minutes before every player held their nerve, Alex Kirk and Maria Lutua got key goals and Jets took the points.
The first quarter was a disappointing one for Jets and they struggled to find their form. Outplayed by the home side, who capitalised on errors, they were five points behind after 15 minutes.
Whatever was said by Head Coach Anna Carter at quarter-time, it worked – there was a dramatically different performance from the same set of players and they won the quarter 20 points to 9 thanks to some brilliant defensive work and impressive shooting.
Six points ahead at half-time, they continued in the third quarter with a strong performance against a Dragons side who never gave up. Cheered on by the home crowd, they had reduced the Jets lead to seven with 15 minutes to play.
At the final break, every Jets fan will have been asking the question – could they keep it up and claim their first win of the season? They had to work hard for it, as Dragons reduced the lead and at one point went ahead, but the answer to the question was yes, they could.
As the final whistle went, the players celebrated a hard fought win in their penultimate game of the season.
Head Coach Anna Carter said: “This has been a challenging season but I am delighted we held our nerve and got the points despite an impressive comeback from Celtic Dragons at the end of the game.
“Our second and third quarters showed how well this team can play when they are united in one aim – winning the game. I’m proud of how they performed in the second and third quarters which were the most impressive passages of play I’ve seen us play all season.”
The victory means Jets will be in high spirits as their final game of the season comes quickly on Monday evening against Manchester Thunder at Manchester Arena.
Final Score: Celtic Dragons 44 – Yorkshire Jets 45
Quarterly Scores:
Q1 – 14-9
Q2 – 23-29
Q3 – 34-41
Q4 – 44-45
Starting 7s:
Yorkshire Jets
GS – Alex Kirk
GA – Maria Lutua
WA – Jess Shaw
C – Lydia Walker
WD – Imogen Allison
GD – Stacey Francis
GK – Bea Skingsley
Celtic Dragons
GS – Georgia Rowe
GA – Unouna Afa Rusivakula
WA – Bethan Dyke
C – Kyra Jones
WD – Suzy Drane
GD – Kelly Morgan
GK – Epi Kahatoka
Report courtesy of Yorkshire Jets
