Winter and Davies Strike to Win NAS Netball Cup
The NAS Netball Cup returned for the second year on the final day of term at Nord Anglia International School. Eight schools from across Dubai were invited to take part – all vying to be crowned netball champions of Dubai at U11 level.
The competition was played across two courts with the eight teams split in to two groups of four for the early stages.
After two hotly contested groups Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) were drawn against favourites Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) in the first semi-final, with JESS running out as 8-1 winners. On the upstairs court two rounds of extra time were required to separate Wellington International School (WIS) and Formarke School with the score locked at 2-2 at full-time. Formarke eventually progressed to the final after a breakaway goal with 20 seconds remaining on the clock to make it 3-2.
The final had all the makings of a classic. JESS enjoyed an extra ten minutes of rest and recovery before the final and it certainly showed in the opening stages of the match. A blistering first half performance by the girls from Jumeirah saw them go in at the break with a 3-0 lead after three goals from Zara Davies.
In the second half, an aggressive and organised JESS side picked up where they left on in the first, the girls working hard to retain possession any time they did give the ball away. Despite marching in to a 6-0 lead after 5 minutes in the second half with two more from Davies and a special finish by Winter, JESS coach Amy Murphy was quick to remind the girls from the side that the game was far from over. The girls responded and the final score ended 10-0 with five goals apiece for Zara Davies and Georgia Winter, whose prominence at times was a joy to watch.
Zara Davies, Goal Attack for JESS, said: “It was an amazing feeling at the final whistle – winning with my friends on the final day of school before the holidays is something I’ll never forget!”
Her team mate, Georgia Winter, Goal Shooter for JESS, added: “We have worked hard in training, taking on board what our coaches are saying and trying to put it in to practice on game day. Today it all came together and I’m just delighted to represent my school and be part of the winning team.”
Tournament organiser, Danny Thomas, Physical Education teacher at Nord Anglia International School, said: “160 kids turned up today and every single one of them gave it their all, that’s what its all about. We hope to run the tournament again next year and invite even more schools to take part in the Cup at our world class facilities.”
NAS 2017 Netball Cup roll of honour:
Winners: JESS
Runners up: Formarke School
Player of the Tournament: Alana Farrell-Morton (Nord Anglia International School)
Team list:
– Victory heights
– Nord Anglia International School
– Jumeirah English Speaking School
– GEMS Wellington International School
– Kings Al Barsha
– Dubai British School Jumeirah Park
– Formarke School
– Dubai English Speaking School