Last weekend has to be the best weekend of netball since I first got involved in the sport over 17 years ago.
It started in the early hours of Saturday morning with the CWG semi final game between Jamaica and England. Now those of you who know netball will know that Jamaica are no shrinking violets and for a non-contact sport, games against them are always a physical contest and England have vied for that coveted bronze position for a number of years, the top two spots always taken by Australia and New Zealand. So it was always gong to be a hotly contested game. At the half way stage Jamaica led by seven goals and all looked a little bleak but the Roses dug in and found their form to win by one goal in the last second 56-55. Setting England up for the final against Australia, this in itself was history in the making as they had never progressed this far in a major tournament before and were guarranteed at least a silver medal.
So following the early start, I travel down to Oldham for the Mike Greenwood Trophy, this tournament is held in honour of one of the finest netball coaches in the country who passed way before his time. Mike had been a coach at all levels, with his very successful Oldham club, Thunder Super League team and a spell at the U19 England squad. The MGT this year featured 4 NSL teams from Thunder, Team Bath, Team Northumbria and Beneco Mavericks. A brilliant afternoon of shortened games resulting in a final between Thunder and Mavs, a closely fought game but with Thunder going behind by ten goals at one stage but following a few changes and choice words from Greigy, the Black and Yellows won the final 31-29 literally within the first few seconds of extra time getting the two golden goals.
So, all went away, feeling on top of the world and with the prospect of getting up at 4am to watch the Gold Coast final. I set my alarm and crept downstairs to watch it on TV. Well what a game, edge of the seat stuff, both teams trading the lead and England holding their own at first but then going behind to the Aussie team, playing on their home turf. It looked like they were going to have to settle for the silver but something inside the Roses seemed to say we've come this far and we are not going to let it get away and with Helen Housby putting away that shot on the stroke of the buzzer they won by one goal and beating host nation Australia 52-51 to take the gold medal final.
I am not afraid to admit to shedding a tear during the medal ceremony as I know nearly all of these girls and I know how much this meant to each of them and the hard work they have all put in over the years.
As I said at the start this was truly a weekend of the best netball I have ever seen.