Grasshoppers' new season win

Having secured regional netball once more at the July qualifying tournament, Grasshopper Netball Club played their first regional match against Northants JMs. JMs took an early lead after Grasshoppers failed to convert their centre passes but some accurate shooting by Andy Flewitt and Donna Osborn allowed Grasshoppers to catch up. Inspired defensive and communication work by Kate Garner and Tracy Glover also allowed Grasshoppers to lead 9-13 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Selina Jones (C) and Sophie Mills (WA) provide some excellent feeds into the goal circle, where Grasshoppers were continuing their accurate shooting. Megs Palmer moved to GD when Garner came off with Steph Hiom filling in effectively at WD. By half time, the score was 16-27 to Grasshoppers.

The third quarter saw talented youngster Beth Smith come on as GS. Confident passing and excellent positioning saw the ball move quickly to the shooters - who once more converted brilliantly. This was Grasshoppers’ most effective quarter and they took it 19 goals to 4.

The final quarter saw Grasshoppers continuing to defend well, turning over many of JMs’ centre passes, to take the game 27-63. Overall, it was a superb display of netball from Grasshoppers. Coach Anne Melling said she was 'extremely proud of everyone; it was a superb result'. Player of the Match went to defender Megs Palmer.