British League Joy for NETTS

Note: A look back to pre-covid times, with a report from March 2020…. NETTS will return!

NETTS have achieved a second promotion in just two seasons back in the Women’s British Table Tennis League. The Earls Colne based club clinched the runner-up spot in Division 4 after defeating the main rivals for second place, Ormesby (Middlesborough).

At the start of this second weekend, once again held in Wolverhampton, the aim was to finish in the top half as there was a split in the division after the second match on day one. Two victories for NETTS beating Drumchapel II (Glasgow) five matches to one and Ormesby 4-2 resulted in retention of the second place they had achieved after weekend one. This meant that NETTS joined league leaders Dun Laoire (Ireland), Ormesby and Youngs Table Tennis Club (London) in the top half for the final round of matches. With Dun Laoire leading and the looking the strongest team in the Division the key match for NETTS was the second clash of the weekend with Ormesby. Maria Boulton came back into the team, replacing Nikki Davison from the two teams earlier clash. This move worked as Maria won both matches, using her fast backhand down the line to great effect. Team number one Gracie Edwards also won her two matches, deploying powerful shots on both wings. The only NETTS defeat being Shelley Uzal’s to England No. 19 Junior Rebecca Savage, 11-8 in the final set – reversing the result of their clash the day before. Shelly bounced back in a strong manner however with a 3-0 victory over Katie Bates in the final match, making use of her tricky serves, to give an overall match score of 5-1 to NETTS.

The ladies will go again next season and look to make it a Hatrick of promotions.

Photo: Left to right: Gracie Edwards, Shelley Uzal, Maria Boulton, Nikki Davison