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Joanne Walker - Blog #7 (#7 added 30th April 2012)

NORTHUMBRIA VS JETS

Stevens sees Jets to victorious end

An inspired second half performance from Amy Stevens helped Yorkshire Jets dispatch a spirited Team Northumbria 54-47 on Saturday to finish the 2012 Superleague season on a winning note. The 17-year-old – who was making just her second appearance of the season – was ubiquitous in Jets mid-court, smothering any Northumbria hopes of a home victory. This was Jets’ fourth defeat of the Newcastle-based franchise and, along with Loughborough Lightning, marks Yorkshire’s second whitewash of the campaign. The contest also brought an end to Yorkshire defender Jo McKinney’s illustrious Superleague career with the Welsh international captaining the team for her final match. Jets raced to a 5-1 lead in the opening minutes with Holly Pearce and Rachel Shaw enjoying themselves in the circle, and the defensive play of Rachel Forbes saw the visitors increase their advantage to five at the break. Dead-eye shooting from former Leeds Carnegie player Darcie Worsdale brought the hosts level at 21 a piece in the second stanza before Shaw displayed her grasshopper like athleticism in the opposite circle to restore Jets’ lead at the midway point. Head coach Anna Carter rang the changes at half time with Lauren potter moving to goal defences, Rachel Forbes to goal defence, and Amy Stevens coming on at centre while Alex Kirk replaced Shaw in the circle. And the substitutions appeared to be inspired as Stevens directed Jets to an eight goal lead. But Northumbria, who have only won twice all season, were not in the mood to bow out quietly and the Geordies decreased the arrears to three going into the final 15 minutes. However Northumbria had no answer for Stevens who continued to turn the ball over and Shaw, back on at goal attack, obliged the teenager’s performance with suitable shooting accuracy, with the youthful combination conspiring to already whet the appetite for next year’s Superleague campaign.

Natalie P – Blog #4 #4 added 24th April 2012)