On Wednesday 20 November, our Year 8 girls went to Cowes to take part in the annual schools netball competition.  What a tournament they had! Considering they had never played a tournament together or, in some cases, a competitive match before, they really did put together some amazing performances.  

In their first game against Cowes Enterprise College, the girls were trying to get used to the new positions but managed to create some scoring opportunities which they were unlucky not to score from.  However, Cowes were more clinical and made sure of the win by beating Carisbrooke 5-0.  This performance only seemed to galvanise the girls because, in the next game against a Priory team, they completely turned it around.  With a few tactical changes, Carisbrooke eventually ran out 10-0 winners! This was thanks to not only some great shooting from Amelia and Lexi, but also some phenomenal defensive play by Rebecca, Millie and Beau.  With Evie and Ellie switching to positions where they could really take advantage of their agility and quick play, Priory had no answer for the girls' all-round great play.

Next, we played Christ the King College, who were one of the favourites. However, the girls continued to play with the exact same intensity and control as in the previous game and won 5-0 again! This was thanks to some superb entry passes from Evie and Ellie into Lexi and Amelia who capitalised on their height advantage.  

In the semi-final, Carisbrooke came up against another Priory team and played much the same way as in the previous two games.  With opportunities going missing at both ends, in the shortened game, Priory managed to take a lead and, just as Carisbrooke went to get back into it, a misplaced pass led to a quick break and a 2-0 lead being taken by Priory.  With pressure being added and great defensive work (again particularly from Millie and Rebecca) the game still could have gone either way. As the final whistle went, Carisbrooke just missed out on a place in the final. 

In their final game against Ryde Academy to see who would come third overall, the girls were struck down early thanks to an unlucky collision which saw Lexi pick up an injury and be unable to carry on. Despite taking an early lead thanks to a goal from Amelia, Ryde seemed to control the game and were able to score two quick goals to turn the game on its head despite the girls putting together another great performance.  Ryde won the game 2-1 in the end, but for the girls to come this close shows what potential they have.

Highlights include:

- Amazing shooting from Amelia and Lexi.
- A rock-solid wall of defence by Millie, Beau and Rebecca.
- Quality transitions from defence to attack by Evie who really controlled the pace of games.
- Player of the tournament for Carisbrooke goes to Ellie for coming out of her preferred position and being dynamite for Carisbrooke all over the court, intercepting passes, making quick attack-minded decisions and doing so with a positive attitude throughout which only helped those around her.

Well done all!