NLNL Champions 2008

Saturday 3rd May saw a combined Cumberland B/C Team take to the court to contest the North London Netball League Rally. With the sun on our backs, we started the first match against a strong Hyde Park A team. The game ended in a draw, a fair result for both teams and a taste of things to come. Strong performances from the 10 woman squad, in particular from mid-court players Jane Spalding, Gillian Turnbull, Natalie Ekweogwu and Karen Carter meant that we won three and lost one of our remaining group games. Finishing second in the group by one point meant we had just claimed a semi-final place against the winners of the other group - Palmers Green A.

The semi-final was a physical, hard fought game. Strong shooting from Jill Cameron and Claire Smith and brilliant defense from Claire Risk and Lindie Champion took us from two goals down to clinch a narrow victory and secure a place in the final and a re-run of the first game of the day - Cumberland A v Hyde Park A.

Before the game started, we knew it would be a tough one, but we were ready. With the 2007 final (where we finished runners up) in the back of our minds, the game began. Huge support from the Cumberland D Team gave us the extra push that we needed. Our legs were tired, our feet were sore and we were hotter than we've been this season! We went 2 down, we pulled it back to a draw, we went 1 up, 2 up, 3 up.... 6 up with only seconds to go. As the final whistle blew, we were crowned champions of the NLNL Rally, the first Cumberland Team to ever so so! Bring on the super league!!

Team Members: Claire Smith, Jill Cameron, Jane Spalding, Karen Carter, Gillian Turnbull, Claire Risk, Lindie Champion, Anna Dale-Jones, Caroline Chiltern, Natalie Ekweogwu