Off we go………
Saturday 18th February at home in Sport Wales National Centre the Celtic Dragons face Team Bath for their first home game in the 2017 Vitality Netball Super League.
The Dragons all fired up, eager and ready to get the season going especially as they are in front of their Green Army fans, what better way to start!
Staring team for Celtic Dragons GK Kelly Morgan, GD Lois Rideout, WD Suzy Drane, C Kyra Jones, WA Bethan Dyke, GA Kalifa McCollin and GS Eleanor Roberts.
Team Bath starting team GK Ebony Beckford Chambers, GD Layla Guscoth, WD Vangelee Williams, C Mia Ritchie, WA Rachel Shaw, GA Laura Rudland and GS Chelsea Lewis.
First quarter starts with a quick goal shot by GA Kalifa McCollin for the Celtic Dragons , the game continues to go goal for goal with the Dragons applying pressure with some quick plays, taking the lead 11 -9. End of the first quarter the Celtic Dragons lead 11 goals to 10.
No changes to either team for the second quarter. Penalty awarded to Team Bath in their attacking circle sees Bath take the lead 13-12. Bath defence continue to apply pressure on the Dragons attack throughout the second quarter as a result of this Bath go in at half time with a 9 goal lead.
Celtic Dragons make changes for the 3rd quarter , Lydia Hichens to GS, Stacey Peeters to C, Kelly Morgan to GD and Leila Thomas to GK. Great to see our young Dragons making their VNSL debut, also good to have our Kiwi Dragon Stacey bringing her experience onto the court. After 7 minutes of play the Dragons reduce the deficit to 7 goals. Changes made to the Dragons defence see Rideout retake the court at GD, this new partnership in the Dragons defence work hard turning over ball and making intercepts but Bath fight back also making intercepts and the game continues to be a battle with both teams fighting hard in the third quarter. Q3 ends 30 -38 Team Bath.
Last quarter, no changes to Celtic Dragons as they take the court. Dragons pull back again reducing the deficit to 7 goals. With 7 minutes to play Fern Davies comes on at GD. Centre Peeters makes a fantastic interception a loud cheer from the Green Army as the ball is taken to goal. Bath continue to apply pressure right to the end of the last quarter but it’s GA Kalifa McCollin who has the last word scoring a penalty goal on the last whistle. Game ends 41 – 51 to Team Bath.
Celtic Dragon man of the match was awarded to GA Kalifa McCollin, congratulations great shooting (94%).
Thank you to Pontypridd netball club for providing the ball girls and the player mascots, congratulations to our ball mascot Lola Belle Lake who celebrated her birthday with us.
Match attendance was 560.
Next Saturday the Celtic Dragons will be in Birmingham, Genting Arena taking part in Super 10. Dragons will play new team Sirens, have you got your tickets?
