It was all to play for on the final day of the Premier League season with titles on the line, promotion places up for grabs and battles near the bottom to avoid relegation.
Here’s how the last round of matches played out.
Oldham Netball Club retained their Premier League 1 title crown, claiming title number 10, with a final day victory over Hucclecote.
With four-time winners Academy right on their tail, a defeat would have opened the door to their rivals. But the league leaders showed their composure, opening up a four-goal lead in the second quarter before extending their advantage in the second half.
The Lancashire side, led by Manchester Thunder Managing Director Debbie Hallas, features some of England’s brightest up-and-coming talent including Future Rose Taylor McKevitt.
Head Coach Hallas said: “I am emotionally drained after a long season and that finish, but I am so proud of this young team who have built confidence through the season learning from more experienced players.
“That is what our club is all about – nurturing youngsters to develop and bringing the best out of everyone on court. I want to thank every single player who is part of this team and Oldham Netball Club as a whole, along with every parent, every coach, every sponsor and everyone who plays such an important role in making us what we are.
“To achieve ten out of eleven titles is a phenomenal achievement and shows the talent we have at our club, a club that plays such an important role in developing the young players of today so that some of them, we hope, can become the Super League and international stars of tomorrow.”
At the other end of the table, there were five teams fighting it out to avoid the bottom two places and relegation.
A win for YWCA Bury over Weston Park Blades ensured their safety whilst Tameside secured an away win at Turnford which saw them move up and away from the drop. Hucclecote’s defeat to champions Oldham left them in ninth and despite an away win at Charnwood, Leeds Athletic were unable to avoid relegation and they finished just one point behind Turnford who were deducted three points for playing an ineligible player.
View the final Premier League 1 standings here.
Already relegated side Sussex Thunder conceded their final game of their season to Grangetown, handing their opponents the title and an immediate return back to the top tier.
One promotion spot was left up for grabs between three teams. The Downs came in to the final game in second but they’d have to overcome promotion rivals Cumberland, who just missed out on promotion last season, and were one point off them. One place below them, Telstars were also still in the running and were ready to pounce if the opportunity came.
Having risen from fifth to second in just a matter of weeks, The Downs’ momentum carried them through as they overcame their rivals 63-51 to secure the second promotion place. Telstars jumped ahead of Cumberland following their win at Worcester Reds to take third.
Team Bath Toucans needed a win on the final day to have any chance of staying up but the side from the South West were unable to secure the points they needed as they lost 35-49 to Exeter.
View the final Premier League 2 standings here.
Settled before the final weekend, newcomers to Premier League 3 Eagles finished top of Premier League 3, losing just four games as they made it back-to-back promotions. They’ll be joined in Premier League 2 by Norfolk United who moved up one place higher than last season to finish as runners-up.
With TFC Leicester and Leyton already confirmed to play in the Premier League Play-Offs, it was between Premier Romans (54), BSV Billericay (52), Ryland (51) and Trafford (50) to decide who would be the last team to take on the nine regional league winners and determine the make up of next season’s Premier League 3. Despite what looked a difficult match-up on paper, Ryland did what they needed to avoid the drop as they overcame third-place Northants Storm to rise up to sixth. Despite defeats for Premier Romans and BSV Billericay, Trafford were unable to capitalise as they lost out by three goals to Leyton.
View the final Premier League 3 standings here.
The Premier League Play Offs take place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 April. More details on the teams that will be taking part will follow.
