Grantham’s Meres leisure centre hosted its inaugural Back to Netball festival on its courts last Sunday, with 10 teams competing from Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
Back to Netball is a current England Netball initiative that is happening up and down the country, providing a gentle introduction into the sport and is proving to be a great success.
Grantham had two teams represented in the tournament, Fenland Lynx incorporating ladies from the recent Meres B2N programme, and the recently reformed (after a six year break) Walton Lions. Teams played four 20-minute matches to then find a final position for the play-offs in the afternoon.
After winning all their morning games, Walton Lions found themselves in the final against the Bassingham Belles. The match got off to a tight start, goal for goal. But Bassingham dug deep and managed to pull ahead, leaving Lions as overall runners-up.
Final standings: 1 Bassingham Belles (Lincs), 2 Walton Lions (Lincs), 3 Blaby (Leics), 4 Melton Mavericks (Leics), 5 Blaby 2nd (Leics), 6 Grantham Lynx (Lincs), 7 Brigg (Lincs), 8 Newark (Notts), 9 Lincoln (Lincs), 10 Collingham (Notts).
l Back to Netball will return to The Meres in September. For more details contact Louise on 07545 924994 or e-mail louise.key@englandnetball.co.uk
Walton Lions are from left, back – Philippa Leadenham, Laura Bailey, Leanda Evans, Laura Jenkinson, Tracie Morton, Caroline Owen and Laura Jones; front – Sharon Jenkinson, Robyn Morton and Kim Pell.