Falcons Yellow secured their return to Regional League Division 1 after a resounding win over Grasshopper.

The starting line up was Nina Warren (Goal Shooter, GS), Weller Howard (Goal Attack, GA), Laura Owen (Wing Attack, WA), Melanie Brenan (Centre, C), Samantha Brown (Wing Defence, WD), Liz Stephenson (Goal Defence, GD), Beth Jackson (Goal Keeper, GK) with Rebecca Sims, Lynsey Cover and Sarah Bottomley on the bench.

Falcons Yellow got off to a flying start and maintained their lead throughout going into the half time break 34-14 ahead.

Changes at half time saw three straight swaps; with Cover coming on at Wing Defence (WD) to replace Brown, Sims coming on at Wing Attack (WA) for Owen and Bottomley coming on at Goal Shooter (GS) to replace Warren who moved out to Goal Attack (GA) replacing Howard. Grasshopper came out fighting in the third quarter but the sterling Falcons Yellow defence meant that it was not quite enough for Grasshopper to gain ground and close the gap.

The final quarter saw further changes for the Derbyshire-based team with Brown coming on to replace Stephenson at Goal Defence (GD), Owen replaced Brenan at Centre (C) and a swap round in the shooting circle saw Warren at Goal Shooter (GS) and Bottomley moved out to Goal Attack (GA).

Falcons Yellow maintained their defensive pressure on Grasshopper whilst the shooters continued to convert any attacking chances.

In the end, Falcons Yellow were simply too strong for Grasshopper and the Derbyshire team ran out emphatic winners 55-24.

The win means that Falcons Yellow’s return to Regional league Division 1 is already sealed with one match to play.

The defence once again proved their worth, as they have done so many times this season, and the accolade of player of the match goes to Brown, Stephenson, Jackson and Cover.

One more match to play before Falcons Yellow will be officially crowned East Midlands Netball Regional League Division 2 Champions.