Telstars 44, Essex Open 59.

Essex Open started the second half of their Regional League campaign with a convincing victory over Telstars. With rivals Claygate managing only to draw, Essex are now top of the table with an excellent goal difference. In the first quarter Essex were not at their best, although Maddie Oshodi  and Leah Hayzelden found the net frequently, too often Essex when in possession gave the ball away. As a result, at the end of the first quarter, Telstars held a narrow 14-13 lead.

However, in the second quarter, Essex put this behind them and played some excellent netball. With Rebecca Wilks, Jasmine Odegberin and Nicole Alves dominant in the centre court and  Hazelden and Oshodi  continuing to shoot well, Essex started the second quarter scoring 11 goals with only 4 in response. Although Telstars continued to push forward, at the half time interval Essex held a 10-goal lead, being 33-23 in front. Although the two Telstars had two excellent shooters, Emma Shaw and Johanne Linehan made things very difficult for them.

In the third quarter, Essex continued to dominate and by the end of it, in effect, the points had been sealed as they stretched their lead to 15 goals  with a 47-32 scoreline. Essex made some changes in the last quarter and both sides did not match the standard of the previous three quarters and Essex were held 12-all. At the end of it, Essex had secured a convincing 59-44 victory with all nine players, including the second-half replacements, Emma Thorogood and Sophia Sefton, playing their part. In the next game, Essex are away to close rivals Claygate in which will be a very important fixture.

Team, Shaw, Thorogood, Linehan, Alves, Odegberin R. Wilks, Hayzelden, Oshodi, Sefton.