The summer season of netball has come to an end for the Honiton Netball League, writes Steph Upson.

Sidmouth Herald: A Sidmouth Eagles player with the Honiton Neball Winter League winners trophy.A Sidmouth Eagles player with the Honiton Neball Winter League winners trophy. (Image: Archant)

The season had a relaxed and altered game approach. The shooters were permitted to score from outside the D in return for double points if a goal was scored.

A ‘power play’ quarter was also introduced; in this 12 minute quarter, any goals scored were doubled which meant any goals scored outside of the D could rack up a total of four points during a power play. Lastly, the other alternative arrangement made for the summer season only, was that any affiliated players could play for any team they wished.

This worked well for many teams who were short of their usual players, but could rely on other willing players to take their place. Some teams also chose to mix it up even more and had team members playing out of their usual positions.

The final results were extremely tight with Hi Q, Flamingos and JD Tyres all finishing on 30 points as a result of winning all of their 10 games, therefore it came down to goal difference to decide the overall winner. With only 1 goal between them, proving every goal truly counts, Hi Q just pipped Flamingos to the post and secured the spot as summer season winners.

Sidmouth Herald: Denise Meyers of Otters, names Umpire of the Year by the Honiton Netball LeagueDenise Meyers of Otters, names Umpire of the Year by the Honiton Netball League (Image: Archant)

At the recent AGM, teams, individual players and umpires were awarded for their achievements throughout the 2017-2018 season.

Julie Spohr was inundated with nominations for the ‘above and beyond’ trophy as a result of her hard work, enthusiasm and dedication to the league as chair for the past two years. She was also given recognition for how approachable and supportive she has been. The league now welcomes Jânko Salzwedel as the chairperson.

Beer Blazers picked up three trophies with the team receiving the winter season runners up of Division Two accolade.

Their team captain, Rosie Bennett, was jointly named as the umpire of the year alongside Denise Meyers of Otters. Whilst Ash Taylor, the Blazer’s goal defence, had the honour of being awarded player of the summer season.

Sidmouth Herald: Beer Blazers player Ash Taylor, who was named the Player of the Honiton Netball League summer season.Beer Blazers player Ash Taylor, who was named the Player of the Honiton Netball League summer season. (Image: Archant)

Flamingos were named as the Division One winter season winners and summer season runners up.

Teams from Sidmouth also did well, with Sidmouth Chicks picking up a trophy for being Division One winter season runners up and Sidmouth Eagles collected a trophy for being Division Two winter season winners – an excellent achievement for such a young team (the majority of players are around 14 years old) and with it being their first season in an adult netball league.

Players of the winter season were Anna Benson (Division 1) of Panthers and Georgie Selley (Division 2) of Pixies.

Blackdown received the highest points for Fairplay scores throughout the year, so Nicki Perry collected the trophy on their behalf.

Sidmouth Herald: Rosie Bennett of Beer Blazers. Rosie was named Umpire of the Year by the Honiton Netball League.Rosie Bennett of Beer Blazers. Rosie was named Umpire of the Year by the Honiton Netball League. (Image: Archant)

Young player of the year was awarded to two players who received an equal amount of nominations. Courtney Wilbor (from High Tide) was one of the named players – for the second year running, whilst newly formed Slick Chicks’ Niamh Wright also received this accolade.

Going forward, the league has the most teams that have ever wished to enter the forthcoming winter season which has resulted in the formation of three divisions.

To keep up to date with all of the latest news related to Honiton Netball League, please do follow and like us on Facebook. We can be found at: www.facebook.com/HonitonNetballLeague