The Netball Team travelled to Wales on Wednesday to play Llandrillo College in the second round of the AoC National Cup. After an intense training session on Tuesday the team were confident and looking forward to the road trip. Loreto won convincingly and scored a staggering 67 goals in doing so. The final score finished Llandrillo College 8 – 67 Loreto College.

Loreto controlled the game from the get-go, notching up an impressive 17 goals and only allowing the home side to score once in the first quarter. The experienced defence of Olivia Hickey, Giselle Yeboah and Isabelle Tyler were almost impenetrable and did not allow the Welsh side to capitalise on anything. To keep a team to only one goal at any level of netball is no mean feat. Grace McAvoy was outstanding at C in attack and defence, making the long runs into the pocket and turning countless balls over in defence. The attacking line up consisted of Daisy Shea, Kemi Onasanya (Opposition’s POTM) and Freya Coggins, who moved the ball around effortlessly, scoring off every opportunity they got. The first quarter finished 1 – 17 to Loreto. 

The second quarter brought some changes, Jasmine McAvoy, the ever relentless GD took to the court and Grace O’Shaunessy came on at GS. Jasmine was as tenacious and brilliant as ever, turning over the ball with ease. However, it was in the attacking end where the biggest impact came. Grace O’Shaunessy was faultless in the GS position, holding strong so her attackers could easily feed the ball to her and maintaining over 90% shooting accuracy throughout. This performance earned Grace Coach’s and Players’ POTM, an amazing achievement! The second quarter finished 5-36 to Loreto.

Loreto made some more changes in the third quarter, with Giselle Yeboah returning to the court at GK and her younger sister, Jayda coming on at WD. Kemi Onasanya moved into C and Freya Coggins came back on at GS, with Lily Berry taking to the court at GA. Even amidst these changes, Loreto’s flow never faltered, the attack was slick and clinical and the defence were like a brick wall. Lily Berry was impressive at GA, linking up well with best friend and club teammate Daisy Shea at WA. Freya Coggins was as steady as ever in the GS position, causing all sorts of headaches for the Llandrillo defence. The third quarter finished 7-50 to Loreto.

The fourth and final quarter saw Loreto continue to push on with their dominant performance. Grace O’Shaunessy came back on at GS and sank shots from all over the circle, much to the delight of her teammates. Freya Coggins moved back into GA and Lily Berry moved into her favoured WA position. Grace McAvoy re-entered the court at C and Olivia Hickey came back on at GK, moving Giselle into GD. Again, the changes that Loreto made were to no detriment and the lead continued to grow. Loreto maintained their confidence and the feeds from Lily and Grace into their shooters were pinpoint. Despite the large margin, Loreto remained humble and modest. This win means that Loreto have now progressed into the third round of the AoC National Cup, their opposition for this is still unknown and we eagerly await to find out who it will be!

Squad: Olivia Hickey, Giselle Yeboah, Jasmine McAvoy, Jayda Yeboah, Isabelle Tyler, Grace McAvoy, Kemi Onasanya, Daisy Shea, Freya Coggins, Lily Berry and Grace O’Shaunessy (POTM x2).

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