Blackpool NC celebrate winning promotion to Premier League 3
Blackpool NC, Leyton and Trafford will compete in Premier League 3 in the 2023-24 season after winning the play-offs.
All three sides fought off the competition over a closely contested weekend of action at the University of Worcester Arena.
After missing out on reaching the Play-Offs in the last game of the season in 2021-22, Blackpool NC seized their opportunity to make the step up from the North West regional league.
Led by Manchester Thunder Assistant Coach Gabrielle Towell, they won two (47-33 vs. Shooting Stars; 29-42 vs. Seatonians NC) and lost one (50-37 vs. Leyton) to finish second in Group B.
Leyton celebrate after winning promotion in the play-offs
Towell’s side then came up against the previously unbeaten Team Jets in the final round and overcame the club coached by former Vitality Roses captain and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Serena Kersten (née Guthrie) by 30-43.
Leyton laid down a clear marker of intent as they set out on their quest to stay in Premier League 3 with 52-23 and 50-37 victories over Seatonians NC and Blackpool NC respectively.
They picked up where they left off on day two with a 61-41 win against South regional winners Shooting Stars.
And their perfect weekend was completed as they saw off Hyde Park 70-39 in the final to set themselves up for another Premier League 3 campaign next season.
Trafford after securing their Premier League 3 status
Meanwhile, Trafford, who finished eighth in the third division, made a strong start to their battle to defend their Premier League 3 status with a 57-44 victory over Hyde Park.
They followed this up with a 48-59 win against Hatfield Hawks on day one before completing a clean sweep in Group A by running out 44-74 winners against Bridgford on day two.
This set up a clash against TFC Leicester, who they’d finished two places ahead of in the league this season, and they came out on top – 70-53 – to retain their spot in Premier League 3.
A full list of results can be viewed here.
A huge thank you to all the players, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters for a fantastic weekend of netball.
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