By Sam Hill
USW Netball 3rds were undone by an impressive University of Winchester 3rds, falling to a 39-9 defeat in the first round of the BUCS Western Conference Cup.
A clinical finishing display from Winchester duo Phoebe Forward and Megan Jarvis, who scored 15 and 13 respectively, along with a dominant goal-keeping display from Imogen Edwards, was the main difference between the two sides.
An early spell of pressure from USW in the opening minutes of the game wasn’t converted into any goals, after which the away side took control with 16 unanswered goals across the first quarter, a single strike from captain Olivia Chamberlain to adding to Jarvis’ and Forward’s 15.
The second quarter was a stronger one for the home team, with the inclusion of Paula Mujjuzi at the break slowing down the Winchester scoring and giving the attack a stronger platform to build on.
Mujjuzi injected some much needed energy and tenacity into the USW defence.
Chloe Owens and vice-captain Olenka Fernandes picked up two goals for the hosts, with the Winchester substitute pair of Lilly Dennett and Hannah Lewis picking up where their starting goal-shooter and goal-attack duo left off, finishing off nine goals between them.
The score heading into the half-time break was 25-2.
The third quarter marked the return of Forward, with Jarvis returning to the top of the pitch after filling in for the defensively solid Edwards at goal-keeper.
The goal-scoring form of the Winchester attack continued with Forward picking up five consecutive goals to open the half.
USW put some brilliant passing play together through the third quarter which once again they failed to covert into scoring. The quarter ended 35-3 with just a single USW score.
Going into the final quarter the home side were all but out of the cup, nevertheless they put together a late surge that involved five Fernandes goals and one from substitute Mali Evans.
USW will be disappointed but can take encouragement from their performance in the third and fourth quarters and the individual quality shown by Fernandes and Mujjuzi.