THE 11th and final play day of the inaugural Borders Adults Netball League (BANL) was held in Peebles. Sponsored by the National Lottery, and set up by Peebles Netball, the league has inspired many women to return to the court in newly formed teams who have practised and competed regularly throughout the netball season.

Over 100 women and teenage girls have taken part in BANL with nine teams entering and players from as far afield as Coldstream and Edinburgh making the trip to Peebles to compete. All matches have been umpired by local umpires, several new to umpiring and put through their umpiring qualification over the season. The teams have involved a wide range of ages of players with pupils amused to find themselves pitted against their teachers (or even umpiring them!), and players of different generations within families. Husbands and partners have become netball widows. The league produced many very close matches and going into the final day of play the winners of Division 1 and Division 2 were too close to call. Four matches took place, all with remarkable outcomes.

Up first, Borders Under 15s took on close rivals Peebles Under 17sA and caused an early upset by holding their older clubmates to a 28 goal apiece draw. The Jets also produced the goods in their contest against Lauderdale Ladies, with Jets captain Fiona Forsyth delighted with a rare win by 19 goals to 17.

The title for Division 1 champions was fought out between the Dragons, led by police officer Caroline Connaghan, and Peebles Seniors comprising a mix of players from across the Borders and captained by Susanne Krabbendam, one of Peebles Netball’s experienced senior players. After a close start, Peebles Seniors pulled away to win by 45 goals to 29, leaving them the only team undefeated throughout the entire league. The Division 2 decider brought together hairdresser and captain Emma Connor’s Hotshots against Team Tank, led by Sophie Peterson, a pupil at Peebles High School and member of the East of Scotland Development Squad. Team Tank took the lead from the start, building up their scoreline and leaving the Hotshots trailing. However, a confident recovery by the Hotshots saw them get into their stride, and take over the lead to win by a convincing 29 goals to 15, taking their first title as a new team.

The league will commence again in September and more teams and players are invited to participate. Sponsorship for the second year is required with the league co-ordinator, Linda Nicholson the contact at Crowwood@tiscali.co.uk Open sessions are planned for new netball recruits to take their first steps back to the court for recreational or competitive purposes. These will be advertised in due course.