- Pink Ladies 29 Thunderbirds 44
- Stratford Ladies Purples 36 Comets Tornadoes 30
- Trust Helping Hands 43 Shooters Sparks 22
- BDR conceded their match against Shooters Flames
On the final week of the season, only 3 matches were played due to a fixture list error by BDR. Pink Ladies, after getting their first points on the table from the last match, met Thunderbirds who had just 6 players. The umpires recognised both Centres for their contribution to the game - Charlotte Brooks for Pink Ladies and Carolyn Stacey for Thunderbirds. Great shooting from Jo Haslam at GS for Pink Ladies [Opposition's player] kept them within half of Thunderbirds winning score getting a point on the board for the second match in a row.
The other early game between Stratford Ladies Purples and Comets Tornadoes was essentially the title decider. A win for Stratford would see them take the league win, but if Comets were to win the title could be theirs. Both teams had strength in their squads with 2 subs for each, and every single player brought their A game to court. The match was tight from the first centre pass with neither team making many mistakes at all. The first interval saw Stratford leading 9-6. Comets stayed focused and draw level at 14-14 at half time. Each team made good use of their subs, bringing fresh legs onto court throughout the game and mixing up positions. By the third interval Stratford had got their nose ahead again by just one goal at 24-23. A thoroughly enjoyable match for all the gathered spectators, the final quarter saw Stratford nudge ahead. Comets kept pressing and whilst the gap in the score began to widen, it was as close as could be on court with Stratford just managing to capitalise on a few more opportunities than their opponents. Molly Paish, having played consistently well at Centre for Comets throughout the match providing fantastic mid court support [Umpires' and opposition's player], took a bad fall with just seconds of the match to play and incurred a painful ankle injury. Both teams decided to allow the score to stand and finished the match at that point. A shame that such a great match between 2 incredibly competitive sides should end with an injury.
Well done to both teams, as umpire I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed the whole game, as did the spectators that came out to support you both for the crucial last match of the season. Congratulations to Stratford Ladies Purples, who are league champions and to their club mates Stratford Ladies Blues who take 2nd place. In fact, Purples have had a very consistent season dropping points in just 2 games throughout - the only side to beat them? Blues! Shooters Sparks, at the other end of the league table, managed a draw against them in November of last year - so well done to them for finding a chink in their armour!
So after the excitement of that match, there remained just one match of the season to play out. Trust Helping Hands vs Shooters Sparks. Trust had Kay Dawson back from injury and in the shooting circle supported by Holly Jackson [Opposition's player] and Vicky Lacey across the game - all scored some impressive goals. Bex Heath also on form in the shooting circle for Sparks with some great shots and excellent movement around the circle. Sparks showed structure in their game and made several interceptions throughout the game keeping the pressure on Trust. They entirely deserved to take a point from the game for keeping within half of the winning score. A thoroughly enjoyable game for all involved to round off the 18/19 season.
Player of the match awards
- Pink Ladies: Umpires' player - Charlotte Brooks, Players' player - Jo Haslam
- Thunderbirds: Umpires' and players' player - Carolyn Stacey
- Stratford Ladies Purples: Umpires' player - Katie Barton, Players' player - Laura Urquhart
- Comets Tornadoes: Umpires' and players' player - Molly Paish
- Trust Helping Hands: Umpires' player - Leonie Green, Players' player - Holly Jackson
- Shooters Sparks: Umpires' and players' player - Anna Philpott
