Grangetown’s Premier League netball squad produced a superb performance to defeat Clan 32-29 on Sunday.

Just two games ago, Grangetown had been languishing at the foot of Prem 2, but a comprehensive home victory against Thoroughbreds followed by this first away win of the season has lifted the side into fifth position in the table.

The squad made the trip to Marlow in Buckinghamshire without a number of regular players, but coach Gel Williams was still able to draw on the services of some of the finest nort east-based netballers, as well as Scotland World Cup shooter Jo Pettitt, and the Republic of Ireland duo Genevieve Slater and Jan Hynes.

Winning any game in such a competitive league is far from easy, but to take maximum points against a very useful Clan side having set off at 5am and travelled 250 miles with just eight players is a wonderful achievement; and Grangetown captain Vicky Rees was understandably delighted afterwards:  “It was an amazing match!” she declared.

“We won the first quarter 12-4, but Clan made changes, brought on a new shooter and started closing the gap.

“We were one goal behind going into the final quarter, but we still felt that we were going to win. It was so close during those last few minutes, but they kept making mistakes; our defence was awesome and despite massive pressure our shooters kept scoring. 

“It really was a fantastic performance from the whole squad.”

Grangetown will now aim to complete a hat-trick of wins and consolidate their mid-table position when they entertain second-placed Kent County at Middlesbrough Sports Village on Sunday 6 December at 12:30.

Player of the match: Jo Pettitt

Report by Richard Kirby