De Montfort University (DMU) netball ladies lost to the University of Bedfordshire,  in which a closely fought contest was decided by a difference of two goals.

1st Quarter:  A bright start by the University of Bedfordshire (UoB) put an early period of pressure on De Montfort University (DMU). DMU were susceptible to early waves of attacking play by UoB, going a set of goal down in the first couple of minutes. However, an opportunity from a free-throw and some brilliant passing down the right-hand side put DMU back on level terms.

Although following this there were some mistakes in defence, which allowed UoB to come back in the game and really hurt DMU on the counter attack. Bedfordshire led comfortably and was on the front foot, with a quarter of an hour gone.

2nd Quarter:   DMU started brightly to make up the goals they were down by in the first quarter, but an early goal that was a result of a superb overhead pass, was of no avail as it was ruled out. Nevertheless, the ladies put together some good passages of play, pulling together a string of positive passing that posed as much more of a threat on UoB’s defence. Soon enough a quick succession of goals got DMU back in the game and looked more like a nuisance for Bedfordshire. 

However, in the back end of the second quarter a flurry of goals set back DMU a pace and forced them to keep a high guard, breaking the teams momentum.

3rd Quarter:   As so often the game seemed to play out with half an hour played, it was one that could swing either way. UoB carried on as they left off and were back with quick spells of confident play, that this time swung the game back into their favour. When Bedfordshire attacked they did so with speed and accuracy that really proved to setback DMU a notch with each goal. DMU’s defence were increasingly starting to play with caution to keep them in the game and had to work hard at it too. 

A period of tension between the two teams was just a testament to how close this game was turning out to be and it was really started to play on some of the player’s emotions.

4th Quarter:   If DMU wanted to win this game it would all come down to how they started the final quarter. Brightly they did so, but every time a goal was made for DMU it was only seconds before UoB did the same. This especially didn’t allow DMU to at the very least get back on level terms. Which only resulted in the loss of possession and stray, aimless passes by DMU. Although they fought hard to get within a couple of goals of being equal, UoB had a grip on managing the game in the last fifteen minutes and managed to edge the tie.

Final Score: De Montfort University Women’s 3rd Team 31 – 33 University of Bedfordshire Women’s 2nd Team

This is how the table looks after a defeat for DMU meant Bedfordshire went top as league leaders.

 

 

P

W

D

L

GD

PTS

1

Bedford (Bedford) 2nd

2

2

0

0

20

6

2

De Montfort 3rd

2

1

0

1

17

3

3

Coventry 3rd

1

1

0

0

15

3

4

Anglia Ruskin 2nd (Camb)

2

1

0

1

-16

3

5

Northampton 3rd

2

0

0

2

-17

0

6

Bedford (Luton) 3rd

1

0

0

1

-19

0