Cumberland Lift Challenge Cup Plate Gold

Cumberland A team finished their best ever season this weekend by lifting the England Netball Challenge Cup Plate. The team have competed in the UK Challenge Cup competition over the last 4 months and reached the Plate final on Sunday at the National Netball Centre in Loughborough. Having knocked out teams several leagues above them on the way to the final Cumberland were prepared for a tough match to scoop the crown!

Cumberland faced Newcastle Town from Newcastle Under-Lyme in the Midlands. Both teams went out fast and hard from the starting whistle, making for a very competitive 15 minutes of netball. Newcastle held a 2 goals advantage at quarter time but Cumberland asserted their dominance on the game with a controlled and slick second quarter creating numerous turnovers, finishing the half 10 goals up.

The second half saw Newcastle continue to fight hard but never penetrate the 10-goal difference. Cumberland's mid court and circle defense limited Newcastle's passing options and kept the scorecard in Cumberland's favour. The match finished with Cumberland securing a well deserved 45 to 35 win. Players of the Match went to: Kirsty Smith and Petra Horvath.

Cumberland A team add their Challenge Cup Plate to their Regional Promotion and POLY league wins as well as being named 'Club of the Year' by Middlesex County league for the 2007-08 season. More details on the Challenge Cup can be found at on the England Netball website.

Cumberland is holding trials for the 2008-09 season in July and August. The club has 7 senior teams and 2 junior teams ranging in ability from social to highly competitive sides so there is a team for every kind of netballer experienced to novice. Browse through the website to find out more and how to join this very social and passionate club.

Back row: (l-r) Bridget MacKenzie, Kirsty Smith, Petra Keogh, Kelly Hutton (cpt), Krista Priscott, Polini Langi, Hannah Gale, Andy Johnson. Front Row: (l-r) Natalie Cowie, Lois Tucker, Yvonne Beadle, Georgina Partridge, Rebecca Carter (Assistant Coach). Lying Down: Tony Keogh (Coach).