Grasshopper NC went into Sunday’s fixture as East Midlands Netball’s Regional League Division 2 leaders but for quite a while their unbeaten record was under threat. Grasshopper started sluggishly but eventually managed to hold a 3-goal lead by the end of the first quarter (16-13).

By half time, however, Grasshopper’s lead was just one goal and the momentum was with Hinchcliffe.

Coach Anne Melling made some changes for the third quarter – bringing on 17-year old Lois Taylor at WA and Sarah Barber at GK – but Hinchcliffe took the lead during this period. Grasshopper fought back through some excellent defending from Sarah Barber and Sadie Burch and some solid centre court linkage from Hannah Wale. This saw Grasshopper finally pull away, taking a 6-goal lead into the final 15 minutes (47-41).Coach Melling brought on Kara Kataiwai – another youngster – at WD, while Barber continued to heap pressure on Hinchcliffe’s attack by wreaking havoc in their attacking circle. This, coupled with some excellent forward vision from Wale, meant Grasshopper began turning the screw. They managed to open up a 13-goal cushion by the end of the game, winning 63-50. Player of the Match award was shared by Sarah Barber (GK) and Hannah Wale (C).

​It was a gritty, team effort with every single player who took to the court proving their worth and doing their job well.

The match began with Charnwood Rutland having first centre. Thereafter, the quarter went goal-for-goal in a very tight contest. At the end of the first 15 minutes, Grasshoppers were losing 10-12.

Coach Anne Melling made a couple of changes at the start of the second quarter but Charnwood Rutland maintained their 2-goal lead. At half time, the score was 20-22.

More changes were made at half time, but Stacey Racz remained rock solid as GS. This wasn’t enough to stop Grasshopper falling further behind and by the end of the third quarter, they trailed 27-31.

Coach Anne Melling made further changes for the last 15 minutes, bringing back most of the starting players. These changes enabled Grasshopper to not only catch Charnwood Rutland but overtake them. In the end, the last quarter proved decisive, with Grasshopper winning 41-38 overall. Grasshopper ‘Player of the Match’ was Centre Hannah Wale but Stacie Racz and Megs Palmer also put in very good performances in the attacking and defensive circles, respectively.