A Saturday morning game at the University of the West of England saw Bradley Stoke Netball Club’s (BSNC’s) First Team remain at the top of the league after they put in a polished performance over PSL Panthers, who are struggling in the bottom half of the table.
Bradley Stoke dominated the first quarter, building an early lead which set them up for the high scoring three quarters they had ahead of them. With some excellent shooting, Bradley Stoke were scoring frequently and remaining one step ahead of the Panthers, who struggled to keep the ball when they were in possession.
Su Chung, playing centre for Bradley Stoke, dominated the centre of the court with fast passes out to wing attack and linking up well with goal attack to create chances for her team, but also helping out in the defence when needed, making some crucial interceptions which could have impacted the score at the end of the game.
Wing attack Jo Maxwell, linking up well with other attacking members on the team to create chances, contributed to a great all-round performance from Bradley Stoke, who passed the ball well and didn’t allow Panthers to play their own game.
With the score going into the final quarter of the game 60-16, Bradley Stoke secured a big victory over the Panthers, the final score being 72-23.
Photo: Archive image of Bradley Stoke Netball Club’s First Team.
Football: Bradley Stoke Town FC (BSTFC)
There wasn’t much local football last weekend, but the BSTFC A Team played Bristol Deaf at the Jubilee Centre and the two teams put in a great performance in horrible wind and rain and a short hailstorm during which play had to be stopped for five minutes.
Bristol Deaf put some early pressure on Bradley Stoke and they had early chances but the keeper was able to gather most of them. But eventually after a lot of pressure, they were able to put the ball into the back of the net, following a beautiful cross from the right.
Bristol Deaf had several penalty shouts early in the game, some of which might have been optimistic, but when they were finally awarded a penalty, and John Craig stepped up to take it, the BSTFC goalkeeper was able to tip the ball around the post.
Bradley Stoke levelled the game when a well-worked free kick led to a header going into the back of the net, an excellent goal which made them play a little bit better.
Bristol Deaf however took the lead again and regained control of the game. A good goal which they deserved to score, they were playing some really good football in the middle of the park, which was sticky and hard to play in.
But Bradley Stoke were once again able to level the game, when an excellent free kick from the defence, headed on from the midfield, was picked up by an attacker who looped the ball over the goalkeeper.
Bradley Stoke started playing some good football and some good passing lead to another goal; not the best of finishes but the build up play was good! The ball ended up trickling into the back of the net and there was nothing that Bristol Deaf could do. It was unlucky for them as they had been playing well throughout the game. And again a very slippery penalty area did not help the defence or the goalkeeper.
This was when the heavens opened and the Bristol Deaf team, who were facing the storm, complained to the referee that they couldn’t see. The referee could do nothing about this and despite Bradley Stoke hitting the bar, the players ran for the changing rooms to see off the rain and hail.
When the players came back onto the pitch, Bradley Stoke were stunned as Bristol Deaf levelled the game with a good goal but, in the dying minutes, Bradley Stoke flew through and scored another to take the game. Utterly disappointing for Bristol Deaf but Bradley Stoke took all three points.
 | Article by Connor Summers |
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