Army retain Inter Services title after thrilling battle with the RAF
Army Netball have won the 2023 Inter Services Netball Open Championships after an exciting and nail-biting battle with the RAF at RAF Cosford.
The reds found themselves having to fend off the light blue onslaught for most of the game, which saw both teams level 30-30 on the score board at the end of the third quarter.
After some substitutions, the Army found their rhythm in the last 15 minutes of the game and did enough to hold off a well-organised RAF side.
The Army, who have not lost an Inter Services Championship since the Navy won the title in 2016, found themselves in a close battle with the RAF from the moment the game started.
The RAF have shown that they've continued to improve over the years and had every intention of making this as difficult for the Army as possible, as the reds had a narrow 8-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The RAF put on an exciting display of great passes and catches, as Goal Scorer Faye Bateson proved why she was chosen to shoot from the goal circle with plenty of consistent shots.
The light blues' teamwork and patience paid off as they found themselves narrowly ahead of the Army at 19-16 at half-time, as the long-dominant Army team had found themselves in unfamiliar territory.
In the second half, the RAF picked up as they left off as they continued to frustrate the Army as Bateson once again pulled off consistent shots to keep the Army on their toes.
The Army did enough to keep up with the RAF and by the end of the third quarter, both teams were tied at 30-30 ahead of what could prove to be a nail-biting final quarter.
After some substitutions, the Army mounted a storming comeback and Dee Bolakoro proved to be the right player to shoot from the goal circle, as the Army began to distance themselves away from the RAF.
The RAF tried to keep up with the reds, but their efforts to maintain the excellent form they displayed throughout the game wasn't enough to hold off the red advance.
At the 60-minute mark, the Army won 36-44 to take yet another Inter Services title.
The RAF proved that they are a force to be reckoned with for the future, as they now look to continue their upward trajectory for next year.
The Army have plenty more to celebrate as they also won the Development title as well as the Master's title from these Inter Services Netball championships.
Full Results
Wednesday 8 March
Development:
Navy 19-56 Army
Masters:
RAF 68-26 Navy
Open:
Army 51-31 Navy
Thursday 9 March
Development:
Army 48-34 RAF
Masters:
Army 73-8 Navy
Open:
RAF 54-45 Navy
Friday 10 March
Development:
Navy 24 v 47 RAF
Masters:
Army 56 v 24 RAF
Open:
Army 44 v 36 RAF
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