REIGNING Premier Division champions SMP Ballasalla warmed up for this weekend’s start of the netball league campaign with victory in the annual pre-season tournament at Noble’s Park on Sunday, writes Marie Skillicorn.
The event can be a good indicator of how the season will pan out as the teams battle it out during the morning to reach the afternoon’s play-off matches.
Balla made a good start to the tournament and ominously showed no signs of weakness throughout.
They will definitely be the team to beat this year in the Premier Division.
However, hot on their heels will beMissfits, who finished second on Sunday and have continued to develop well over the last few seasons.
PwC Manx Gems Emeralds played extremely well to finish third on Sunday.
Having lost their place in the top-flight last season they have set down a marker as they aim to bounce straight back up from Division One.
Route 1 finished fourth, but don’t be deceived as they have made some team changes this season and it may take them a couple of weeks to get going.
C&S A made a disappointing start finishing only fifth - lets hope the Red Devils can sort themselves out to add to the already exciting title chase within the Premier Division.
Thompson A came joint fifth having had a mixed season last year and with the loss of a few top players they may struggle to fight for the title this season.
They did, however, not give up easily and applied the pressure throughout Sunday’s tournament.
C&S’s C and D teams did admirably against some of the top teams and the tournament offered an experience for the new and younger players arriving in the senior league this year.
With the introduction of a score of new players it will take some work and time before these teams make their mark.
It’s a similar story with Thompson’s second and third teams who are managing a number of changes this season.
The tournament was not the best chance for them to show their talents but with time I’m sure they will change their fortunes.
They did put up some tough competition only losing some games by a whisper.
PwC Manx Gems Sapphires took a while to gather some momentum within their games, however, they did extremely well for a new team, but will need to work hard if they are to be in contention for the Division Two title.
Fixtures
Sunday, September 16
NSC One
9am Ballasalla B v C&S B
10am Missfits A v Ballasalla A
11am Fencibles A v Rubies
NSC Two
9am C&S D v Route 1 Sparks
10am Magic Carpets v C&S A
11am Fencibles B v Team DQ
Bemahague Outdoor One
9am Anglo Manx v Manx Glass Saints
10am Toomraiders v Route 1
11am Thompson D v Missfits B
Bemahague Outdoor Two
9am Ballasalla C v Thompson B
10am C&S C v Emeralds
11am Sapphires v Thompson C