Essex rounded off the season with some good results at Redbridge Sports Centre on Saturday. The D team clinched the title and the F team are promoted.
Essex Open A 69 New Cambell Blue 36
Despite seeing their title hopes disappear last week, Essex produced an excellent performance to round off their season. Minus a number of key players Essex fielded a very young team and included shooter Aliyah Awaye for the first time this season.
From the start Essex took control of the centre court with Sara Biss, Sarah Cambell and Rebecca Wilks providing numerous chances for shooters Aliyah Awaye and Maddie Oshodi to build up a useful lead. At the end of the first quarter Essex led 14-7.
Having established a healthy lead Essex were in no mood to relinquish it and Awaye and Oshodi continued to score at frequent intervals. When New Cambell attacked they met the formidable defensive duo of Michelle Stewart and Jamine Odeobergin who were in fine form. At half time Essex had moved into a commanding 32-18 lead.
In the second half Essex continued to dominate possession and New Cambell struggled to make any impact on the deficit. With a quarter to go Essex led 48-28. Essex completely swept Cambell away in the last quarter and finished the game in ephatic style winning 69-36.
Stewart, Odeogberin, Cambell, Biss, R Wilks, Oshodi, Awaye
Essex Open B 45 New Cambell White 37
Essex Open B finished their season in style with a well earned victory over a spirited New Cambell side. Essex enjoyed a lot of possession with Kate Wilks, Laura Carlisle and Sarah Cambell dominating the centre court. Essex could not fully capitalise on all of their opportunities and at the end of the first quarter Essex trailed 9-8. The second quarter followed a very similar pattern as both sides matched each other goal for goal. At half time New Cambell had maintained their single goal advantage as they led 18-17.
At half time Essex made two substitutions bringing on Rebecca Wilks and Aliyah Awaye. The impact was immediate and Awaye took full advantage of the opportunities created to overturn the deficit. The single goal deficit was soon reversed and with a quarter to go Essex held a 7 goal advantage as they led 33-26.
Having established the lead Essex were in no mood to concede it and Nicky Wilks and Ana Glenn were having excellent games in defence. Whilst New Cambell fought hard in the last quarter there was no way back and Essex ran out 45-37 winners.
N Wilks, Glenn, Cambell, K Wilks, L Carslisle, R Wilks, I Morgan-Smith, Livingstone, Awaye
Other results
Essex Open C team lost their final game of the season to Eclipse 35-27 to finish 5th in Division 5. They will be joined in Division 5 next year by the D team who won the division 6 title. They finished their season with a thrilling 35-35 draw with Queen Mary Old Girls. It was a wonderful season for the D team who won 10 and drew 1 of their 14 league games. The E team were defeated 43-32 by Romford D. The F team were promoted from Division 9 after finishing runners up to Chigwell Ladies. Ironically on the final day they defeated Chigwell Ladies in a close game 31-29 to lose out on the title by a solitary point. The G team were unable to field a team and were forced to concede their game to Romford F
