St George’s and Docksiders produced the season’s first draw during Bermuda Netball Association Senior League action at Bermuda College on Wednesday night.

The exciting encounter saw two lead changes, with Docksiders capitalising on a couple of turnovers in the fourth quarter to come from behind and salvage a share of the spoils in the 17-17 stalemate.

Goal attack Kristin Holman was St George’s’ top scorer with 16 goals, while opposite number T’yanna Hayward led the scoring for Docksiders with ten.

“I think it’s a confidence-booster for both St George’s and Docksiders and a fair result for sure because both teams fought very hard for those points,” Nicky Smith, the St George’s head coach, said.

The result leaves St George’s fifth in the standings above bottom team Docksiders.

The East Enders are making their league debut this season under the guidance of coach Smith, who is encouraged by the progress her players have made.

“St George’s is a very new team; young girls that probably last played netball in high school,” Smith said. “They are now young women who were interested in playing and I wanted to grow the sport so I pulled a team together for them.

“Initially I was looking to bring out a junior team for them but was not able to drum up the interest for the juniors and a few senior players came out and so that’s how they formed.”

Although Smith’s allegiance is originally with North Village, she says her overall goal is growing the sport and hopes to see other teams join the league.

“Looking forward to hopefully getting a Somerset team senior team next year,” the former national team player added. “We just want the netball to grow.

“We have a lot of talent out there. We have a lot of natural athletes and so therefore let’s tap into it and remind them how much they loved netball when they were in school.”

Smith, 51, is doing a juggling act as she also plays as goal shooter for St George’s and serves as head coach for their rivals North Village.

“I am head coach of both. However, when St George’s play North Village Selina Bascome takes the helm and I coach North Village exclusively,” she explained.

Smith’s other team, North Village, went down 40-31 against Storm in the second game of a double-header at Bermuda College on Wednesday night.

Defender Zakiyah Durham was Storm’s top scorer with 27 goals while goal attack Darrika Simmons led the way for a youthful North Village with 23.

“It was a very good game and we actually filtered a few of our under-17s in that game,” Smith said.

“We have quite a few promising young players and we wanted to reward them. They all came on and played a couple of quarters and I am quite proud of them.

“Village has the most girls probably in the junior league and so therefore to keep them interested we want to ensure they understand there is a pathway to the senior team as well.

“Quite proud of what Village is doing this year and looking to showcase the talents from our seniors right down to our under-11s.”

Unbeaten Phoenix are the league leaders, with Storm second, North Village third and Tigers fourth heading down the final stretch of the season.