The weather was kind to us and helped make the Essex Open tournament a great success. The age group winners were as follows
Age group Winners Runners Up
U10 Turnford A Fusion
U11 Sutton Town Turnford
U12 Wodson Park Navy Sutton Town
U13 Essex Open Maroon AP Saints
U14 Turnford Essex Open Maroons
U15 Sutton Town AP Saints
Well done to all concerned.
Essex Open Netball Club’s Under-14 Maroons were crowned ENG Under-14 Cup Eastern Heat Champions at the Essex Sports Arena on 30 May, securing their place at the National Finals in Walsall on 14 June. The Maroons began the day with a hard-fought 4-4 draw against Brookshaw Stuart Netball Club in a match that lacked their usual fluency. However, they quickly found their rhythm and went on to dominate the remainder of the group stage, winning all of their remaining matches to finish top of the group and book a semi-final place.
In the semi-final, Essex Open faced Barr Beacon Netball Club and, despite not being at their flowing best, produced a disciplined performance to progress comfortably to the final. There they met Shan, a side they had already defeated earlier in the day, and delivered one of their strongest displays of the tournament. Controlling the game from start to finish, the Maroons secured a convincing 9-2 victory to claim the gold medals and the Eastern Heat title. The success was a reward for the squad’s consistency, determination, and ability to raise their performance levels as the competition progressed.
Saturday 30 May – Essex Sports Arena, Colchester
The Essex Open U11 Maroons delivered an outstanding performance at the ENG U11 Eastern Heat, finishing in an impressive third place and securing their place at the National Finals in Walsall.
Drawn in a challenging group alongside Turnford, Fusion and Suffolk Rockets, Essex Open began the day in confident fashion with a comfortable victory over Suffolk Rockets. The team displayed excellent movement, discipline and teamwork to get their campaign off to the perfect start.
Their second match saw them face a strong Turnford side. Despite a determined performance and competing well throughout, Essex Open were unable to prevent defeat. Nevertheless, the girls produced a highly respectable display against one of the tournament favourites and left the court with their heads held high.
Knowing that second place in the group was likely to be decided in their third match, Essex Open rose to the occasion against Fusion. Producing one of their most complete performances of the day, they dominated from start to finish, combining a relentless defence with clinical finishing to secure a convincing 6-0 victory.
The final group fixture determined the seeding positions for the knockout stages and once again Essex Open met Fusion. The opposition provided a much sterner challenge on this occasion, but Essex Open maintained their composure and quality to record another victory.
Those results saw Essex Open finish second in their group behind Turnford, earning a quarter-final clash against established ENG side Hartford Hornets.
The Maroons produced a superb quarter-final display, controlling the match from the opening whistle. Their defensive unit restricted Hartford Hornets to just a single goal, while the attacking players converted their chances efficiently to claim a dominant 8-1 victory and book a place in the semi-finals.
Awaiting them in the last four was another strong ENG League side, Shan. The match began tightly, with Shan taking an early lead. While Essex Open reshuffled their starting seven in search of greater rhythm, Shan capitalised and opened up a four-goal advantage. To their credit, the Maroons responded brilliantly and began to build momentum, mounting a spirited comeback. Unfortunately, the deficit proved too much to overcome and Essex Open were edged out 5-2.
The disappointment of the semi-final defeat was quickly put aside as Essex Open regrouped for the third-place play-off. Facing Fusion for the third time during the tournament, the Maroons once again demonstrated their superiority, controlling proceedings throughout and securing a comfortable victory to claim the bronze medal position.
Finishing third in the Eastern Heat represents an excellent achievement for this talented squad and confirms their qualification for the ENG U11 National Finals in Walsall on 13 June.
The players, coaches and supporters can be immensely proud of the performances shown throughout the day. With confidence growing and momentum building, Essex Open now look forward to testing themselves against the very best teams in the country as they aim to establish themselves on the national stage and return home with a medal from the National Finals.
Q1: The Blues got off to a slow start with Woodford scoring the first goal. Some loose passes enabled Woodford to score a second in quick succession. Essex composed themselves and scored one back. Through some quick passing and getting the ball into the shooters Essex ended the quarter on top. 4-2.
Q2: In the second quarter the teams moved the ball well up and down and court but goals were limited. Essex took two good chances and Woodford pulled one back to end 6-3.
Q3: The temperature warmed up and so did the Blues in this quarter. Good communications, great movement and quick thinking fed the ball into the shooters who took their chances and scored 6 goals. The blues defence was strong and limited Woodford to a single goal. 12-4.
Q4: The Blues really found their rhythm and controlled the final quarter. They found space and passed opening up the court and dominating possession. The shooters got in good positions and added 5 more goals. The defence remained strong and prevented Woodford from
scoring again.
A great way to end the league season. Blues win 17-4.
OPOM: Annabel
CPOM: Annabel and Ivy
Q1: Essex open blues started the match strong with three quick goals. They dominated in all areas of the court with quick accurate passes and were accurate with their shooting ending the first quarter 9-0 up.
Q2: Q2 was much tighter with Woodford Warriors making tighter and managing to intercept in the middle of the court managing to pull a goal back. The Blues stuck in their and worked hard to score two goals bringing the score to 11-1.
Q3: The blues moved the ball quickly and scored two quick goals. Some good communication, finding space and high passes helped the Blues move the ball quickly and score two quick goals. Woodford warriors pulled one back but the Blues were strong and ended the quarter 16-2 up due some great shots from distance in the D.
Q4: In the final quarter the Blues didnt let up and were soon 21-2 up. They maintained their energy and passed the ball well up and down the court. Woodford Warriors battled to the end scoring 2 goals with the game ending 22-4.
Final Score: Essex Open Blues 14 – 15 Essex Wanderers Ruby
Result: Win for Essex Wanderers Ruby
A Thrilling Display of Skill and Sportsmanship
The Essex Open U11 Blues faced off against Essex Wanderers Ruby today in a match that was a great spectacle in U11 netball. From the opening whistle to the final whistle , there was never more than a goal or two in it, keeping every spectator on the edge of their seat.
Handling the Pressure
The most impressive aspect of the match was how the Blues handled the intense pressure from the Wanderers. Despite the high-stakes nature of the game and the speed of the opposition, the Essex Open players remained remarkably level-headed. They didn’t let the tight scoreline rattle them, showing maturity and focus throughout all four quarters.
Teamwork and Transition
The Blues’ passing was a major highlight today. The team displayed fantastic vision and teamwork to transition the ball through the court. By finding space and supporting one another with clinical passing, they were able to work the ball effectively into the circle to keep the goals flowing. It was a true team effort, with every player contributing to the fluid movement of the ball.
Looking Back
While the final score fell 15-14 in favor of Essex Wanderers Ruby, the Essex Open Blues can hold their heads high. Beyond the technical skills on display, the girls showed exceptional sportsmanship and stayed positive under pressure. Both teams delivered a performance to be proud of, showcasing the very best of junior netball.
OPOM Rose
CPOM Anika
Credit: Gina
Essex Open Senior XI concluded their season with a narrow and disappointing 58–57 defeat away at the Downs in a rearranged fixture, following an earlier postponement. The result was particularly frustrating, as Essex trailed for only the final 10 seconds of the match.
Despite the loss, the outcome had no impact on the final standings, with Essex having already secured the Division 2 title several weeks earlier.
It has been an outstanding season overall for the Essex Open Senior Team. From 28 matches played, they recorded an impressive 26 victories. Their success also includes promotion to Regional League 1 and retaining the Essex Met League Division 1 title for a second consecutive year.
In the Met League campaign, Essex were dominant throughout, winning all 14 matches, scoring 897 goals, and conceding just 477.
Congratulations to everyone involved on a highly successful season.
Essex Open U11 Blues v Manor Met White.
The Blues achieved a good win against Manor Met White. It was competitive, high energy and an opportunity for newer players to integrate into the time.
Q1 – The match started fast with Manor Met White scoring first. This switched the girls into gear and they quickly got the ball to the shooters to level the score. They dominated the centre of the court with high passes and scored a number of goals in quick successions before Manor Met got one back to end the quarter 5-2 up.
Q2 – The second quarter was end to end with quick passing, good intercepting, but good defending at both ends prevented goals. We got a breakthrough and took the chance to make it 6-2. More good movement through the court but a few wayward passes limited the scoring. Both teams managed a goal a piece near the end of the quarter ending 7-3.
Q3 – Essex Open Blues controlled the third quarter with good possession and movement scoring 3 quick goals. There were some good battles all across court. Our defence limited the opportunities for Manor Met White who managed 1 goal to end the quarter 10-4.
Q4 – Lots of movement in the final quarter with the ball going up and down the court and goals being scored at both ends. Some great shooting from distance and right under the post meant the Blues maintained their lead and finished the match 15-9.
OPOM: Rose
CPOM: Eden
Credit Jodi Blackham
Essex Open A 68 New Cambell Green 49
In their final match of the season for Essex Open, A, the equation was simple – if they lost by less than ten goals, they would get the two points that would secure them the Essex Met Division One title for the second season running. However, Essex wanted to go through the season unbeaten, and in the first quarter, it was a titanic battle between the top two sides in the division. For the first three quarters of the first quarter, there was not more than a single goal between the two sides. Campbell then edged ahead, 10-8, but once again Essex fought back. Maddie Oshodi and Leah Hayelden were in tremendous form in the circle and were well supported by the rest of the side. At the end of the quarter, Essex edged in front to lead 16-14. Once again, in the early stages of the second quarter the sides were well matched and Emma Shaw and Rene Hurley were battling hard in the defensive circle against a tall shooter who rarely missed and took advantage of the long balls that were put into her. In the centre court, Rebecca Wilks, Johanne Linehan and Nicole Alves. were battling hard to keep Essex on terms. Towards the end of the quarter, Essex edged ahead, and at halftime Essex held a five-goal lead.
New Campbell were unfortunate in losing their goalkeeper to a freak injury when she collided with a post, but this meant Essex, and in particular Hazelden and Oshodi, were able to dominate the attacking circle. In the first part of the second half, Essex continued to take advantage of their centre pass, which made it very difficult for New Cambell to get back in the game. Although they battled hard in the first part of the quarter, in the second part of the quarter Essex accelerated ahead, and with the whistle going for the end of the third quarter, the title was effectively theirs as they led 46-37. Another unfortunate injury to the Campbell goal-shooter meant there was no way back for Campbell, and in the last quarter Essex really took the game away from Cambell, playing some excellent netball and taking full advantage of the unfortunate injuries suffered by their opponents. In the last quarter, Essex scored 21 goals against 11 from Cambell to ensure an excellent 67-48 victory and secure a second consecutive Met League title. A special mention for Emma Shaw playing her last game who has been a model of consistency throughout the season. She will be sorely missed.
Shaw, Hurley, Alves, Linehan, R Wilks, Hayzelden and Oshodi
Essex Open B 45 New Cambell Blue 45
In their last game of the season, Essex fought out a dramatic draw with New Cambell Blue. This was a result that was scarcely believable halfway through the first quarter. Essex started the game very poorly and soon found themselves 6-0 down within a few minutes. Although they started to claw themselves back slowly into the game, at the end of the first quarter, New Cambell held a 15-6 lead. Essex started to play in the second quarter, and with Rochelle Reynolds-Blanche finding her shooting form, Essex started to match Cambell. However, in the second quarter, Essex only managed to make a small inroad into the deficit, and at halftime, Cambell led 25-18.
Essex continued to battle hard in the third quarter, but once again, Campbell edged further ahead, and towards the end of the quarter, held a nine-goal lead, being 35-26 up. At this stage, there seemed no way back for Essex, but two goals towards the end of the third quarter cut the deficit to 7 and ensured that the third quarter was drawn 10 all. It needed a super effort from Essex if they were to get anywhere near New Cambell in the last quarter. However, Essex started to play at their best and the opening of the quarter saw them score four goals without reply. Essex gradually fought their way back into the game until, with five minutes to go, they levelled the scores at 40 all. The last five minutes were very exciting, as for the first time in the match, Essex got themselves in front to lead 41-40, but with Cambell having centre pass, they soon replied. The scores then followed the centre pass, and when the final whistle went, it was 45 all, and although Essex had possession, unfortunately they could not get the ball into the shooting circle. This was a magnificent fightback from Essex Open B, and they deservedly shared the points.