• ​BDR 47 Pink Ladies 14
• Stratford Ladies Blues 41 Shooters Sparks 16
• Stratford Ladies Purples 37 Shooters Flames 29
• Trust Helping Hands 33 Thunderbirds 35

Stratford Ladies Purples played Shooters Flames in Stratford’s first game of 2019. The match was extremely close throughout with only a couple of goals separating the teams in the first three quarters of the game. Flames played particularly well in both the shooting and defensive circles with Naomi Parker’s high shooting percentage earning her players’ player and Lucy White’s strong defensive skills gaining her recognition as umpires’ player. Stratford managed to gain the upper hand, however, in the final quarter with many excellent interceptions in the centre court by players’ player Emily Holmes and umpires’ player Sam Murdoch.

In the other early game, BDR met Pink Ladies in a clean, good natured match. Ami Merens-Dixon had an excellent game, picking up both players’ player and umpires’ player for BDR. Pink Ladies showed good flexibility within their squad by moving around positions and Charlotte Brookes was recognised as players’ player, while Jo Reeves received umpires’ player. While both teams managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over, BDR extended their lead as the match went on to take the full 5 points.

Stratford Ladies and Shooters came up against each other again in the late game when Blues played Sparks. Stratford started strongly and passed with great accuracy throughout the match. Sparks continued to fight hard, however, helped by a great performance from Beth Morgan (umpires’ player). Sparks scored at a steady rate with Rebecca Heath (players’ player) converting well in the shooting circle. Stratford also showed flexibility and high shooting percentages in their attacking circle with Sophie Lockhart, at GS, gaining players’ player. Stratford extended their lead in the second half helped by the excellent defensive skills of Shirley-Anne Lilley.

Meanwhile, Trust Helping Hands and Thunderbirds battled it out on the other court. Trust, playing with just 6 players, worked hard to keep the score close and were aided by Rachel Goodman’s and Lucie Staniland’s excellent efforts moving the ball into the attacking circle. Trust also showed their adaptability when an injury scare left them briefly with 5 players; fortunately, Leonie Green was able to resume her position of GD. Thunderbirds, however, took advantage of their extra player and were able to snatch the win with Lauren Simmonds and Carolyn Stacey taking players’ player and umpires’ player respectively.


Player of the match awards:

• Stratford Ladies Blues: Umpires’ player – Shirley-Anne Lilley, players’ player – Sophie Lockhart.
• Stratford Ladies Purples: Umpires’ player – Sam Murdoch, players’ player – Emily Holmes.
• Shooters Sparks: Umpires’ player – Beth Morgan, players’ player – Rebecca Heath.
• Shooters Flames: Umpires’ player – Lucy White, players’ player – Naomi Parker.
• Trust Helping Hands: Umpires’ player – Lucie Staniland, players’ player – Rachel Goodman.
• Thunderbirds: Umpires’ player – Carolyn Stacey, players’ player – Lauren Simmonds.
• Pink Ladies: Umpires’ player – Jo Reeves, players’ player – Charlotte Brookes.
• BDR: Umpires’ and players’ player – Ami Merens-Dixon

​Stratford Ladies Blues 43 Trust Helping Hands 33
Comets Tornadoes 44 BDR 29
Shooters Sparks 49 Pink Ladies 5
Shooters Flames 43 Thunderbirds 13

After a break of over a month due to postponed games and the Christmas break, teams welcomed a bright morning to get back into the swing of things.  The match between Stratford Ladies Blues and Trust Helping Hands was close throughout.  Stratford took an early 5 goal lead in the first quarter but Trust pulled it back.  Throughout the match the score remained close and was tied midway through the last quarter, but Stratford took control when it mattered and stretched their lead to take the 5 points moving them up to 2nd position in the table behind their stable mates, Purples who had a bye this week.

Comets Tornadoes and BDR played out a good natured and particularly clean game; the umpires's whistles were quiet a lot of the game! Comets had a strong squad and mixed up positions utilising many different shooters to keep the score tally rising.  Ella Kirby was particularly on form in the circle gaining recognition from both the umpires and the opposition for the player awards.  Despite Helen Handy [also picking up both umpires' and players' player] and Jenny Darby using their height well in defence for BDR, it wasn't enough to keep Comets from taking the win and moving up to 3rd place in the table.

Shooters Sparks took a blow in the first minute of the game when Deenie Gibson fell and banged her head.  Ultimately uninjured, she came off court as a precaution and sub Anna Philpott was brought on.  Rebecca Heath, normally at home in the shooting circle, took on the position of Centre and provided great support before returning to her natural habitat later in the match.  Pink Ladies also moved positions around showing adaptability.  Kerry Fox starting and finishing at Centre provided her team with a strong performance at each position she played.  Sparks' win moves them up from 7th position to 5th.

Thunderbirds had just 6 players this weekend and so played without a wing, which is always a tall order, but against a strong Shooters Flames side, it will have felt like hard work.  They kept their heads up and fought throughout, Carolyn Stacey providing great support mid court earning her both umpires' and players' player.  However, with Naomi Parker [umpires' player] and Dannie Sutton [players' player] on form with their shooting, the 6 players of Thunderbirds couldn't stop them taking a convincing win.

Player of the match awards:

Stratford Ladies Blues: Umpires' player - Amy Towne, Players' player - Caroline Whitfield
Trust Helping Hands: Umpires' and players' player - Katie Desmond
Comets Tornadoes: Umpires' and players' player - Ella Kirby
BDR: Umpires' and players' player - Helen Handy
Shooters Sparks: Umpires' and players' player - Emma Slater
Pink Ladies: Umpires' and players' player - Kerry Fox
Shooters Flames: Umpires' player - Naomi Parker, Players' player - Dannie Sutton
Thunderbirds: Umpires' and players' player - Carolyn Stacey

​Stratford Ladies Purples 49 Thunderbirds 22
Comets Tornadoes 18 Shooters Sparks 20
Stratford Ladies Blues 19 Shooters Flames 34
Trust Helping Hands 64 Pink Ladies 8


League leaders Stratford Ladies Purples took on Thunderbirds in the early match.  They made a strong start with a 5 goal lead after the first quarter. Despite a strong defensive performance from Lauren Simmonds of Thunderbirds, they stretched their lead consistently over the first three quarters with some excellent shooting from Rebecca England, supported also by Laura Urquhart and Sam Murdoch.  In the final period, Thunderbirds mixed things up and Lauren moved to the other end of the court and took the GA bib.  The final quarter was Thunderbirds' best of the match, but it wasn't enough to close the gap and Purples took the 5 points and extended their lead at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Comets Tornadoes faced on form Shooters Sparks in what proved to be an extremely tight game.  Excellent defence from Sparks prevented Comets from taking control of the game with Pip Ireland and Mimi Rouse recognised for their efforts at GD and GK.  For Comets, it was a family affair, with mum & daughter Helen and Lucie Mellor taking the player awards for their defensive and mid court performances respectively.  The score remaining level through to final quarter, Sparks managed to pull ahead to take the win by just 2 goals, meaning Comets take 2 points from the game and maintain their mid table position still with 2 games in hand.

Stratford Ladies Blues met Shooters Flames in the late game.  Blues were short of players and so were supported with Purples players playing 'up'  Laura Urquhart subbing for them after a full game for her own team, and whilst also playing out of position impressed both umpires and her opposition to pick up both player awards.  Flames started strong and took the upper hand early on.  Flames were happy with a strong all round performance with hard work in defence gaining interceptions, good midcourt play and feeds into the circle and their shooters on form.  Their win and 5 points means they leapfrog Comets in the table and move up to 5th.

On the other court, Trust Helping Hands and Pink Ladies enjoyed a friendly game.  A player short, but not deterred, Pink Ladies were to face Trust whose shooters, Kay Dawson and Vicky Lacey, didn't seem to be able to miss!  Without their usual centre player, Trust moved things around centre court and defensively.  Jo Haslam for Pink Ladies also took different positions and contributed well wherever she played, deservedly collecting both umpire and opposition's player awards.

Player of the match awards:

Stratford Ladies Purples: Umpires' player - Lottie Baird, Players' player - Rebecca England
Thunderbirds: Umpires' player - Lauren Simmonds, Players' player - Vic Bean
Comets Tornadoes: Umpires' player - Helen Mellor, Players' player - Lucie Mellor
Shooters Sparks: Umpires' player - Pip Ireland, Players' player - Mimi Rouse
Stratford Ladies Blues: Umpires' and players' player - Laura Urquhart
Shooters Flames: Umpires' and player's player - Dannie Sutton
Trust Helping Hands: Umpires' player - Katie Desmond, Players' player - Kay Dawson
Pink Ladies: Umpires' and players' player - Jo Haslam

Shooters Sparks 25 Shooters Flames 21
Stratford Ladies Purples 49 BDR 13
Comets Tornadoes 43 Thunderbirds 28

Only one early game this week after Pink Ladies concede to Stratford Ladies Blues due to a bout of sickness and injury. But what an early game it was! The two Shooters teams were fighting it out, with Flames on top of Sparks in the league table going into the game. Flames started strongly, getting the ball quickly to GS, Naomi Parker, who scored well and fought hard to regain the ball on the rebounds. Sparks came back fighting in the second and third quarter with a good team performance bringing the scoreline back to level. Newly registered players Emma Slater for Flames and Pip Ireland for Sparks made a real impact which was recognised with Emma being given Player's Player and Pip given Umpire's player. Although great blocking and leaning by Karen Philpott at GK for Flames, Robyn Beebe's shooting accuracy couldn't be stopped and Sparks took the win 25-21. 

Current leaders going into this weeks game, Stratford Ladies Purples, streamed ahead of 5th place BDR in the first quarter of their game but BDR remained in high spirits performing stronger in the second half. There were excellent performances by BDR's WD Andrea Hancox getting umpire's player and Helen Handy as GK getting player's player but they were up against a formidable shooting pair Lottie Baird and Rebecca England from Stratford Ladies Purples who continued to score at every opportunity. The final score ended 49-13 with Stratford Ladies Purples in a strong position at the top of the league table.

In the other late game we saw current 3rd place Thunderbirds take on 7th place Comets Tornadoes who still have a game in hand. Thuderbirds made a impressive start with a closely matched first quarter. Comets Tornadoes defended well and, thanks to a particularly strong third quarter and excellent shooting from Ella Kirby, extended their lead to 43-28. 

Player of the match awards:
Shooters Sparks: Umpire's player - P Ireland, Player's player - R Beebe
Shooters Flames: Umpire's player - K Philpott, Player's player - E Slater
Stratford Ladies Purples: Umpire's player - L Baird, Player's player - R England
BDR: Umpire's player - A Hancox , Player's player - H Handy

Comets Tornadoes: Umpire's player - E Kirby, Player's player - M Paish

Thunderbirds: Umpire's player - C Stacey, Player's player - K Galvin

Stratford Ladies Blues 39 Comets Tornadoes 46
Trust Helping Hands 33 Shooters Flames 20
Stratford Ladies Purples 31 Shooters Sparks 31
BDR 21 Thunderbirds 24

This weeks matches mixed the league table positions up somewhat.  In the early fixtures, second placed Stratford Ladies Blues faced Comets Tornadoes who, having played 2 less games than other teams, were sitting in seventh position.  Stratford Blues pulled in support from Purples with Ella Learly playing up at GD.  A great mid court performance from Lucie Mellor and on point shooting from Becky Fernandes-Green helped Comets take the win and 5 points, moving them up to sixth position still with a game in hand.  

Trust Helping Hands met Shooters Flames in what was a friendly yet competitive match.  Trust's Kay Dawson played harbouring a hamstring niggle so stayed at GS, as opposed to her usual position of GA, to protect the injury.  Ably supported by Sally Morris at GA, the team build in confidence in the circle converting shooting opportunities.  At the other end, Leonie Green at GD frustrated Flames shooting attempts as she played an excellent defensive game.  Flames threw all they had at Trust by showing their adaptability and changing positions during the intervals.  Sian Betteridge played at C, WA and GA contributing well at each position and deservedly earning herself the umpires' player award.  

BDR and Thunderbirds began this week's match equal on points.  The umpires recognised strong mid court performances from both teams with newly registered Alice Leeson at WA for Thunderbirds taking their player awards.  The teams themselves acknowledged the shooting performance from Phoebe Larner for Thunderbirds and defensive skills of Helen Handy for BDR.  With Thunderbirds taking the win they move up to third position and BDR drop one place to fifth.

Stratford Ladies Purples took on Shooters Sparks.  Purples played short with just 6 players until reinforcements arrived in the final quarter in the form of Donna Nixon having played a match in the Redditch league earlier in the morning.  A very evenly matched game saw the scores even at the end of both of the first two quarters.  Sparks played with confidence and made the most of opportunities, maybe buoyed from notching up their first point last week.  In the third quarter, Sparks pulled ahead by 6 goals by the end of that period. Bex Heath served the team well at GS rarely missing the net when given the opportunity and supported the team across the court with encouragement and calm advice throughout the match - earning her the umpires' player award.  Emily Holmes' consistency midcourt at C helped keep Purples in the game and with less than 10 minutes of the final period remaining her team were back to a full strength, and the match was tight.  A great game for the neutral observer, it ended a draw with what might have been the winning goal for Purples passing through the net just seconds too late.  The points shared between the two team - 3 points well earned by the less experienced Sparks team who were exuberant with their performance.  [Picture below]

Congratulations to Kayleigh Seys, Jemma Moore and Bex Heath, all from Shooters Netball Club.  Kayleigh passed her Into Officiating award after her practical assessment.  Jemma took and passed the written test for the C award, and Bex was observed umpiring and passed her pre-assessment for her C award also.  Great news for the club and the league as development of officials is critical to the future of the league.  Well done ladies!

Player of the match awards:

• Stratford Ladies Blues: Umpires' and players' player - Amy Towne
• Comets Tornadoes: Umpires' player - Lucie Mellor, Players' player - Becky Fernandes-Green
• Trust Helping Hands: Umpires' player - Leonie Green, Players' player - Sarah Henderson
• Shooters Flames: Umpires' player - Sian Betteridge, Players' player - Pippa Corby
• Stratford Ladies Purples: Umpires' and players' player - Emily Holmes
• Shooters Sparks: Umpires' player - Bex Heath, Players' player - Robyn Beebe
• BDR: Umpires' ​Players' player - Helen Handy
• Thunderbirds: Umpires' player - Alice Leeson, Players' player - Phoebe Larner

Trust Helping Hands 22 Stratford Ladies Purples 37
Stratford Thunderbirds 36 Shooters Sparks 24
BDR 25 Stratford Ladies Blues 47

​​Teams were back in action this week after the half term break.  A damp morning caused some issues with the suitability of the playing surface leading to the match between Pink Ladies and Comets Tornadoes being postponed.  The sole early fixture saw Trust Helping Hands take on Stratford Ladies Purples who, with added strength and support from a number of the club's A team players [Redditch league], played out a competent and polished game.  A good third quarter from Trust, particularly GK Kelly Stepney, who took a clean sweep of player of the match awards, saw them close the gap to just 4 goals and they worked hard to try to gain points from their training 'stable mates'.  However, Purples were too strong and extended their lead again in the final session to leave Trust taking just a point.

Stratford Thunderbirds took on Shooters Sparks who played their strongest game of the season so far with their highest goal tally.  The team were happy with their performance reflecting on their quick and sharp play across the court and some great shooting.  However, Thunderbirds also played a strong game with excellent shooting from Ellie Lees at GS who scooped both umpires' and players' player of the match awards.  They took the win, but with Sparks' score within half of the winning score, they notched up their first point of the season so far.

BDR had a strong first half against Stratford Ladies Blues and the score remained close.  Jeniene Mason played in different positions for BDR across the game and made a strong contribution in each, which the umpires couldn't fail to notice and she was recognised for this.  Stratford Ladies Blues were more consistent through the match and extended their lead in the second half to take the win.  Lottie Baird, a Purples player, played up for Blues after playing a full game in the early fixture and took the player of the match award in her second full match of the morning for providing strength in defence and across mid court which supported Blues in securing the win. 

Player of the match awards:

Trust Helping Hands: Umpires' and Players' player - Kelly Stepney
Stratford Ladies Purples: Umpires' player - Beth Griffiths, Players player - Laura Urquhart
Stratford Thunderbirds: Umpires' and Players' player - Ellie Lees
Shooters Sparks: Umpires' player - Amelia Rose, Players' player - Anna Philpott
BDR: Umpires' player - Jeniene Mason, Players' player - Michelle Hastie
Stratford Ladies Blues - Umpires' player - Lottie Baird, Players' player - Jo Wish

​Trust Helping Hands 28 Comets Tornadoes 34
BDR 38 Shooters Sparks 6
Stratford Ladies Purples 32 Stratford Ladies Blues 42

Pink Ladies 12 Shooters Flames 54

After another week of postponed games, the first games this week started as early morning fog was lifting.  Comets Tornadoes played a strong game against Trust Helping Hands; a match that was close throughout.  Trust Helping Hands had shooting opportunities but didn't manage to convert often enough allowing Tornadoes to keep a the lead through all four quarters and preventing Trust from clinching 2 points for keeping within 5 goals of their winning score.  BDR notched up a convincing win against Shooters Sparks who struggled to find the net without their usual players in the goal circle.  It was a family affair for BDR with mother and daughter Michelle and Jasmine Hastie taking the player of the match awards between them.  

The fog was just a memory as the 2nd games began and the sun came out making for a gloriously warm morning.  Kathy Moore of Shooters Flames  'doesn't do winter', but the conditions may have convinced her otherwise as she had a great performance in the match against Pink Ladies, picking up the umpires' player award and helping her team to a comfortable win.

Meanwhile, Stratford Ladies had their teams pitted against each other.  With both teams struggling with player availability the game began as 5 versus 5, meaning a particularly physical game for all players and presenting interesting strategy challenges for both teams.  The second half saw Blues building on their lead, and Purples brought on their 6th player.  However, an ankle injury for their GS Rebecca England so the game return to 5 aside and despite a great performance by Laura Urquhart at GA - recognised by both the umpires and the opposition - Blues built on their lead and took the win.  

Player of the match awards:

Trust Helping Hands - Umpires' player: Rachel Goodman, Players' player: Kelly Stepney
Comets Tornadoes - Umpires' player: Lottie Mayers, Players' player: Ella Kirby
BDR - Umpires' player: Jasmine Hastie, Players' player: Michelle Hastie
Shooters Sparks - Umpire and players' player: Amelia Rose
Stratford Ladies Purples - Umpire and players' player: Laura Urquhart
Stratford Ladies Blues - Umpires' player: Jo Wish, Players' player: Amy Towne
Pink Ladies - Umpires' player: Ruth Tandy, Players' player: Lisa Blake

• ​Pink Ladies 10 BDR 55
• Shooters Flames 42 Stratford Ladies Purples 50
• Stratford Thunderbirds 32 Trust Helping Hands 47
• Shooters Sparks 18 Stratford Ladies Blues 47

A crisp and bright morning for netball this week.  Stratford Ladies Blues, playing their first game of the season made a strong start with a win against Shooters Sparks helped by a solid performance from Any Towne in the Centre bib.  The early matches also saw both clubs pitted against each other, with Stratford Ladies again coming out on top with Purples beating Shooters Flames.  This game was won on a tighter margin and was well fought throughout by both teams.  Another great performance at Centre from Emily Holmes helped the Stratford Ladies team keep themselves ahead, despite strong opposition from Flames.  Dannie Sutton again excelling in her role at GA.  Stratford Thunderbirds played a strong game against Trust Helping Hands but the latter team took the win, not least down to the defensive skills of Kelly Stepney who prevented more Thunderbirds goals getting in and earning her both umpires' and players' player of the match.  

Player of the match awards:

• Pink Ladies - Umpires' player: Jo Haslam, Players' player: Kerry Fox
• BDR - Umpires' player: Jenny Darby, Players' player: Kate Wallace
• Shooters Flames - Umpires' and Players' player: Dannie Sutton
• Stratford Ladies Purples - Umpires' player: Emily Holmes, Players' player: Laura Urquhart
• Stratford Thunderbirds - Umpires' player: Olivia Griffiths, Players' player: Phoebe Larner
• Trust Helping Hands - Umpires' and Players' player: Kelly Stepney
• Shooters Sparks - Umpires' and Players' player: Amelia Rose
• Stratford Ladies Blues - Umpires' and Players' player: Amy Towne