Honours Even for Grasshopper NC!

Sunday saw the return leg of Leicestershire’s Grasshopper NC (GNC) versus Lincoln City 2 (the Imps). GNC fielded a strong team and some good interactive play between Centre (C) Selina Jones and Wing Attack (WA) Karmen Askew saw them hold Lincoln City 2 until the final minutes of the first quarter, where the Imps crept into a 10-13 lead.

Grasshopper NC’s coach, Anne Melling, made three changes for the second quarter, bringing on Claire Fielding, Kate Garner and newcomer Laura Barby for Karmen Askew, Steph Hiom and young Goal Shooter (GS), Beth Smith. A tightly-fought quarter ensued with GNC coming out 8-6 on top, bringing the score back to 18-19 in Imps’ favour.

Coach Melling made further changes at half time, with Beth Smith coming back on at Goal Shooter (GS) and Askew back on at Wing Attack (WA).  The defensive unit of Wing Defence (WD) Sarah Melling, Goal Defence (GD) Laura Harbour and Goal Keeper (GK) Kate Garner remained intact though. These fifteen minutes were also very tightly contested and Grasshoppers had a number of opportunities to pull in front but unfortunately the final choice of ball into the circle was not good enough on several occasions and Lincoln City 2 remained in the ascendency. 

At the end of the third quarter, the Lincolnshire team led – but only by 2 goals at 26-28.

The final quarter saw a very spirited effort from Grasshopper NC. The team had trailed throughout the match so far but they never gave up. Some good, hard netball was played by all and it was end to end drama. However, a couple of late goals by the Leicestershire team in the final throes of the match saw Grasshopper NC claim a well-deserved draw, with the score at 39-39.

Grasshopper NC’s Player of the Match went to Centre (C) Selina Jones.