Kestrels escape snitch scare in Portree pounding

Kenmare Kestrels - 310* vs Pride Of Portree - 40

	Kestrels	Prides
Keeper	O’Hare (C)	McCormack
Chasers	McNally	McNewton
	Rosebottom	MacPunnet
	Watkins	Pilliwickle
Beaters	Winston	Van Hoorn
	Tuckett	Stroulger (C)
Seeker	Denshaw	McBride

Both the Kestrels and Prides have had frustrating seasons, filled with useful promise but ultimately lacking in results. The two sides sat in 9^th and 10^th respectively on the ladder, with a chance to sneak into the Top 8 for the winner of Saturday’s big game.

Despite being so low on the ladder and the disappointment of tight but tough losses last week, the only change made to either side was Fearghal Watkins coming in to the Kestrels’ Chaser line-up in place of Polly Mason.

It was admirable restraint and faith from the two managers, whose young teams must be able to build together and gain confidence and momentum to become true forces in the League.

With so much likeness between Kenmare and Portree, it was hard to pick an obvious winner in the pre-match build-up. But the mystery lasted mere minutes into the game itself.

The Kestrels were immediately the stronger team and the clearly more coherent and together unit. Deirdre McNally dominated the Quaffle contest and herself had six goals on the board before the Prides had any.

The Prides Beaters were once again mighty though. Captain Terrence Stroulger has already represented England and proved himself to be the best young Beater in the world. But after an abortive start to his rookie season, Mordred Van Hoorn is beginning to well and truly live up to the critical hype. But there just wasn’t the help from the Prides’ reliable but uninspiring Chasers. Hazel MacPunnet in particular was well off her game, failing to threaten Saraid O’Hare’s goal at any point.

The Kestrels were in total early control, but Quidditch is a funny game. After just forty minutes and with the lead not yet safe, Kenmare hearts were in mouths when Portree Seeker Musidora McBride descended fast towards the snitch. But in her excitement she over-shot, lightly clipping the ground. In the time it took McBride to regather and balance and arc back towards the now ascending snitch, Florentia Denshaw had taken up the running and took the catch, getting her deservedly dominant team well and truly out of jail.

Kenmare Kestrels - 310: McNally 13, Watkins 3, Denshaw Capture

Pride Of Portree - 40: McNewton 2, Pilliwickle 2

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: DEIRDRE MCNALLY (KESTRELS)