Both the De Montfort University (DMU) Netball 4th team and Anglia Ruskin Netball 2nd team came into the game in high hopes of winning. In a game full of twists and turns, DMU were edged out by Ruskin in the final few minutes as they fell to a 37-30 defeat.

Ruskin started with the ball, but were unable to capitalise on their starting advantage as DMU were able to recover and score first. After a good start, Ruskin were able to equalise after a couple of fouls were called, leaving the shooter open to score their first point of the game.  After sustained pressure, DMU eventually got another basket to restore their lead but this did not last particularly long. Throughout the rest of the quarter, each team stayed with the other, equalising whenever the next point was scored. DMU opened up the game as they were able to score 2 in a row by capitalising on the struggling Ruskin team. Although they attempted to come back, the end of the first quarter with DMU leading 6-5.

Going into the second quarter, DMU immediately carried on the offense and increased their lead to 7-5. However, Ruskin wouldn’t let them get away as they brought it back to 8-8. DMU looked in charge throughout the second quarter, although they were not able to make it count as they kept a one-point lead throughout the quarter. The only exception to this was with 5 minutes left in the quarter where Ruskin finally got level. But the DMU team showed them how efficient they could be as they went 16-13 up. Ruskin were able to pull themselves closer to DMU and the 2nd quarter ended with DMU holding onto the lead with at 16-15.

DMU extended their lead to a two-point gap and kept it there for a majority of the third quarter. In the final few minutes, Ruskin started to grow into the game and were able to gain control for an extended period for the first time in the game and they made it count as they were able to make two very quick points, creating daylight between them and the hosts for the first time in the match. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the score was tied at 23-23.

In the final quarter, Ruskin took the lead and DMU were able to keep level as Ruskin looked to push for the win having taken the initiative. Within a few minutes of the quarter starting, Ruskin had taken the lead 28-25 and their lead kept increasing throughout. DMU suffered injuries through the final quarter as one player had to limp off with an apparent ankle injury, whilst another player collided with an opposition player. Although both laughed it off, the increasing gap between the two was obviously on the mind of the DMU players as the game came to a conclusion at 37-30, after one final burst of points in favour of Anglia Ruskin gave them an additional three points and killed the game off with a minute left.

Whilst a gut-wrenching defeat for the DMU Netball 4ths, they showed brilliant skill, tenacity and dominance throughout most of the game, and have shown promise that they can impress and play to the best of their abilities to win games this season. They are definitely one team to watch in the coming fixtures.

Final Result: De Montfort University Women’s Netball 4ths 30 – 37 Anglia Ruskin University Women’s Netball 2nds