Northern League

Dominoes Netball Club has a squad of players who play National League netball and also take part in the National Open Championships (formerly the Challenge Cup). The squad is made up of players from the Senior Club, and is trained by former Northern Thunder Coach Caswell Palmer.

Dominoes Northern League team this year progressed well through the League. They finished third, and were successful in gaining promotion to National Premier League 3 through the play-offs in May. To follow Dominoes journey to National League netball see the captain’s blog below.

Northern League Results Tables >>

The squad has done really well in the Challenge Cup too. They have made it as far as the Semi finals of the Challenge Cup (Plate) and also through to the final 16 teams of the Challenge Cup ‘competition’. The squad is really looking forward to this year’s Challenge cup competition now renamed as the National Open Championships, taking place in June at the East Grinstead Sports Centre, West Sussex.

If you’re interested in playing for the team or for more information about the squad email saraht@dominoes-netball.co.uk

Dominoes route to National League Netball May 2010 Captains blog:

The Northern League season 2009/10
After a rocky start to the season and a few points dropped early on in the league, Dominoes Northern League ended on a real high. We won our last 6 games so finished 3rd in the League and highest in the North West Region. The results meant we had qualified for the play offs for the National Premier League.

So to the play-offs at Loughborough (May 22nd & 23rd 2010) It’s fair to say that when the ‘groupings’ for the Play offs were announced there was some trepidation. But the Dominoes spirit kicked in and we knew that we’d come this far and so travelled to Loughborough quietly confident.

Premier League 2 and 3 Play-offs, at the Netball Centre, Loughborough University
Day 1 May 22nd
First up were Seatonians who finished above us in the Northern League but as we had beaten them on the last day of the season we knew it was a game we could and had to win. A nervous start but we looked like we would win from the first whistle. Game finished 21- 15

Second game was Wealden who were the placing from Prem 2. After a strong first half we struggled to find space in the second half and Wealden came back into the game. A nail biting finish but we came away as winners 17-16.

Cumberland were next up, a really strong and tall team who have beaten us before so we were out to prove ourselves. Cumberland has a good start taking a 5 goal lead, we fought back strong in the final quarter and we ended up stealing points off them for the draw. The most impressive result of the weekend for me given we were behind.

Last game of the day was Clan and by now we were getting tired. We knew we needed to beat Clan to send them firmly into 5th spot and keep us in the Prem 3 promotion placing. After a strong start the fatigue kicked in and despite a good run by Clan in the final stages we won 18-16.

A great start to the competition and we headed back pretty pleased with what we have achieved.

Day 2 and 2 games left. May 23rd
Calculations on the morning led us to conclude that we still had a shot at Prem 2! But the first game would be the decider; we faced Wyvern who stepped onto the court undefeated. A strong start from Wyvern gave them a 5 goal lead, but at half time we were all square after a great long range penalty shot from Rosie, just after the whistle had gone. Wyvern pushed harder second half bringing on a new shooter which caused us a few problems and we lost the game 20-16.

Our last game was against Evesham Reds and this would determine who finished up second in the group. By now the pressure was off and we were promoted to Prem 3 but it seemed this was evident on court. A little more relaxed Dominoes!! But we pulled our socks up second half. Final result was 30-15 to us!

Dominoes finished 3rd in the group which means we’re promoted to National Premier League 3 for the 2010/11 league season, From September Dominoes will be playing teams from all over the UK, travelling all over the country, from Sheffield to Dorset, Hereford and Worcester to the Capital city London.

Overall, a fantastic result, we demonstrated that we can cut it with the best of them. Dominoes are proud to be representing Manchester in National League netball, and feel it’s a major achievement for all involved at the club, to be now playing in a league only two divisions below the top British teams.
I have high hopes for next season and am really looking forward to it.

Captain Kath Maw

To see the results go to
http://www.englandnetball.co.uk/National_Leagues/Premier-2/premier-league-23-playoffs-200910.php