20/09/2017
A huge well done to the Steelers' own Libby, Steph and Jo that participated in this years Diamond Series.
DIAMONDS SPARKLE ONCE AGAIN!
The 2017 Diamond Series culminated on Saturday 16th September at University of Keele, as the Blue Diamonds ran-out an impressive 50-26 win against the Red Diamonds.
The Diamond Series is the annual 11 v 11 all-BAFA team event for women's football. This year's event once again provided the opportunity for coaches and players from across all of BAFA's women's teams to come together and share learning and experience.
BAFA Head of Women's Football Development, Jim Messenger, said; "It was great to see so many new faces taking part this year and demonstrating the growing ability of women's football. The level of play in the game was pretty astonishing, as the scoreline shows! It was very entertaining to watch and bodes well for the club teams in the next Sapphire Series and for the ongoing development of the women's game."
The Blues offense featured a strong running attack combination of fullback Bo Steward (Leeds Chargers) and halfback Josie McInerny (Oxford Saints) that racked-up a lot of yards and points, along with Wide Receiver Rachel Trim (Birmingham Lions) who added scores from a long run-after-catch and reverse play that completely caught out the red defense.
For Red's offense, runningback Sian Kersse (Manchester Titans) had a stand-out day behind the blocking of FB Annie Donahue (Portsmouth Dreadnoughts) and Offensive line Amber Norbury (Staffordshire Saxons) and Vanessa Mansaray (London Warriors). Receiver Ruth Lewis (Cardiff Valkyries) made great catches to add to the Red's momentum. Red's defense was lead by Linebackers Rachael Moody and Lara Connell (Edinburgh Wolves), and Defensive End Libby Davoren (Sandwell Steelers), all making stand-out contributions on the day, with Amy Oliver (East Kilbride Pirates) and Lindsey Holding (Peterborough Royals) providing strong support from the secondary.
Blues defense had a good team day stopping the Reds short of scoring on several occasions with strong play by Defensive End Verity Ellison (Derby Braves) and the Linebacker group of Charyle Mercer (Portsmouth Dreadnoughts), Amanda Staples and Natasha Wilson (Chester Romans).
After the game, Natasha Wilson said; "Having the opportunity to play eleven a-side football was a massive eye opener. I have played for less than a year and that was just five a-side in the Sapphire Series. I got the amazing opportunity to train with GB coaches and then play along side some GB players in a game which was a real privilege, following all their recent achievements at the World Championships and all they've done to help grow and promote the sport. Meeting so many players from different teams was great fun too."
BAFA would like to thank the coaches who gave their time to support this year's Series: Gareth Ellison (Derby Braves), Connah Scholes, Brett Rosenbaum, Andre Peart, Christian Thompson and Nick Weston (Leeds Chargers), Tom Roberts (Herts Tornadoes), Owen Beynon (Portsmouth Dreadnoughts), Benita Grant-Booker (Peterborough Royals), Simon Richards (Staffordshire Saxons), Sam Rafferty (Sandwell Steelers), Scott Smith and Lynsey Llewlyn (Edinburgh Wolves), Andrew Kendall (Wembley Stallions), Laura Hegarty (Teesside Steelers), Phoebe Schecter and Afia Law (Birmingham Lions).
(Red Diamonds: Libby Davoren, Chloe Roberts, Ashley Bell, Lisa Thomas, Jo Mann, Marion Fernandes, Lindsey Holding, Amy Oliver, Rachael Moody, Megan Robinson, Rachel Broadhurst, Lara Connell, Annie Donahue, Sian Kersse, Amy Wright, Ruth Lewis, Lucy Moss, Lil Bush, Aynsley Barclay, Karen Mackintosh, Alex Lilly, Venessa Mansaray, Lisa Thomas, Amber Norbury, Becca Butler.
Blue Diamonds: Laura Dye, Alex Hodgeson, Maz Hughes, Morgan Hendricks, Hannah Garcez, Abi Wade, Laura Harbottle, Emma Taylor, Hannah Draper, Rachel Trim, Siobhan Henry, Josie McInerny, Amber Perry, Robyn Steward, Amanda Staples, Natasha Wilson, Charyle Mercer, Katie Reid, Charlotte Place, Steph Farmer, Lauren Colshaw, Laura Hendricks, Verity Ellison, Megan Delaney)
