Blackpool Netball Club round-up: Away day success for the National Premier League line-up
A round-up of matches involving Blackpool Netball Club last weekend.
Blackpool Netball Club bounced back from defeat the week before with an impressive 48-35 victory at Birmingham-based Linden in the National Premier League.
A strong opening set the tone, with slick transitions turning relentless defensive pressure into goals.
Despite facing a Linden side featuring National Super League experience, Blackpool remained composed and refused to let their standards slip.
After the teams shared a low-scoring second quarter 9-9, Blackpool made changes at half-time to keep the hosts guessing.
Blackpool continued to force errors and create scoring opportunities, while all 11 players took to the court in closing out a deserved win.
North West Regional One saw Blackpool beaten 79-27 by league leaders Kingsway Power on a demanding afternoon at Alderley Park.
The hosts began at a fierce pace and led 18–8 after the opening quarter.
Blackpool produced some encouraging attacking and defensive passages, but a run of five unanswered goals gave Kingsway early control.
Nevertheless, Blackpool regrouped and opened the second quarter with three consecutive goals, showing their ability to challenge the leaders.
Kingsway maintained their tempo though in winning the quarter 16-7 to take a 34-15 advantage into half-time.
They pulled further clear in the third quarter as their pressure began to tell.
Blackpool continued to compete with determination in the final period, but the hosts’ polished performance secured victory.
Finally, Blackpool’s North West Regional Division Five team lost 56-45 to Merseyside-based Crusaders Hearts in a closely-contested fixture.
Crusaders edged a competitive opening quarter 14-11, before Blackpool matched their opponents in the second period and trailed 30-27 at half-time.
The third quarter proved decisive as Crusaders extended their advantage to 43-34.
Blackpool continued to work hard and showed plenty of fight throughout the final quarter.
This weekend sees the National Premier team welcome Nottingham-based Charnwood to Palatine Leisure Centre on Sunday.
The Division Three team hosts Oldham at Palatine on Saturday, both matches starting at 10.30am with free admission.
Sunday also sees the Division One team at YWCA Bury.