THE top Southend Netball League sides battled it out in an entertaining cup finals day held at Deanes College.

In Division One, Parkside saw off Essex Wanderers 58-38 with Parkside’s Jo Piggott being named player of the month.

In Division Two, Pink Spirit Thunder were celebrating as they produced an incredibly high-scoring performance to beat Leigh Panthers 83-23 in a game which saw Lois Walford of Pink Spirit Thunder .

The Division Three final was arguably the most entertaining of the lot as Pink Spirit Lightning beat Southend Sapphire Black 52-44.

Lily Howe of Pink Spirit Lightning was named player of the match in a game in which the score was incredibly close during the third quarter.

Sapphire Blacks fought hard to take the lead during that spell but it was Lightning who were able to triumph.

But all three finals were well-supported and pleased the league’s press officer Emily Hesslegrave.

“It was a really good day, apart from the rain, and there were a lot of supporters there to watch which was excellent,” said Hesslegrave.

“This cup competition runs alongside the league and starts off with a random first round draw before then going straight to the semi-final stage.

“It’s been great again this season with eight teams battling it out in all three of the divisions.”

Focus will now switch towards the Summer League where the players’ positions are decided by a pre-match draw.

But Hesslegrave is keen for ladies to come forward and join in with the fun, fresh from England’s gold medal winning display at the Commonwealth Games.

“It’s been a brilliant time for netball and it was fantastic for the Roses to win the Commonwealth Games not so long ago,” said Hesslegrave.

“The leagues are already popular but if we could even more coming along to play then obviously it would be great.

“There are a lot of teams out there and everyone is always keen for new players.”

And many ladies have been encouraged to get involved in the sport by attending the back to netball scheme run by England Netball.

“Lots of players have come back to the sport by attending one of the back to netball courses,” said Hesslegrave.

“I think it’s a sport a lot of people played when they’re younger but you can easily pick it all up again.

“All of all the back to netball courses are advertised on the England Netball website and it’s definitely worth going along to enjoy .”

For more details visit englandnetball.co.uk/backtonetball