Cambridge University Ladies’ Netball Club (CULNC) set their sights on promotion to the national leagues on Wednesday afternoon, as they delivered a netballing masterclass to claim a 43-23 victory against a tough Loughborough University second team at the Sports Centre.

The Light Blues started the season in convincing style, dominating the court for all four quarters at home to a Loughborough side widely considered pre-match favourites. And special honours must be handed to club captain, Hayley Smith, who eased into her role following her sudden promotion over the summer, together with Sophie Maitland, who swapped her matriculation gown for Smith’s spare netball dress to earn a debut at the highest level, less than a fortnight into her university experience.

Speaking exclusively to Varsity after the match, the skipper was quick to raise the expectations for her emerging squad: “The girls are looking very strong. I don’t want to say this too soon, but it’s potentially promotion for the Light Blues into the Premier League.”

Maddy Eno, the Light Blues’ goal shooter who was subsequently awarded Player of the Match, concurred with her captain’s optimism, expressing to Varsity her delight at “how the team gelled. The squad of 8 consisted of four returning Blues players, two Jays players from last year and two Freshers, and all 8 of us had only been playing all together since Monday.”

CULNC began the new campaign exactly as they had finished the previous one, scoring three straight goals in three minutes against Loughborough. After needing a last-ditch draw against the same opponents to avoid relegation from the Midlands 1A Division in March, Wednesday’s match called for opening day composure rather than season-saving heroics in what might have been an anxious first fixture.

The Light Blues played excellent hosts, imposing themselves on their Leicestershire rivals from the outset. Eno lived up to her goal shooter label by opening the scoring from virtually the first centre pass. Goal attack Frances Lee-Barber was instantly on the offensive, too, and the Cambridge duo continued to trade simple shots for the majority of their 43 goals. Few partnerships in the league are likely to be more prolific this year.

Loughborough struggled to realise their notorious potential in the face of a formidable home defence. Indeed, as far as Light Blues goalkeeper Lucy Gumbiti-Zimuto was concerned, loose rebounds were only heading in one direction, while goal defence Charlotte Plumtree established her status as one of the veteran squad members with several vital interceptions.

The visitors did keep themselves in contention by utilising swift counter-attacking passages that pinballed between the Light Blues’ defenders at lightning speed. Yet CULNC fought back against the physicality of their opponents in a game that enabled netball to break out of its genteel stereotype.

As the first quarter closed with the score at 12-5 to CULNC, the match remained there for the taking by both sides, despite the Light Blues holding the early lead thanks to the work of Maitland in the centre of the court. She brilliantly imposed herself upon her opposite centre, Holly Sims, amid a stunning start to her university career. 

“It was an amazing opportunity to play not just my first game for the university, but also for the Light Blues,” Maitland gushed afterwards. “The game was really good and Loughborough contested it well. Although the score may not have reflected this, they gave us a tough match.”

Eno brought the battle to Loughborough, who on occassion lacked a cutting edge up front, throughout the 60 minutes: she converted rebounds into regular goals, and flicked home one of the points of the afternoon to put CULNC 22-12 up at half time.

As often seems the case, the third quarter decided the encounter after CULNC consolidated their ball retention and competitive edge. Lee-Barber, last year’s club captain, played a pivotal part with three consecutive goals as the Light Blues strung together seven goals in a row to move 29-12 in front. Indeed, more decisive shooting in the goal circle from the home side might have led to the scoreline becoming embarrassing.

“We thought it was going to be tough after drawing twice last season, especially given our late start to term and Loughborough’s reputation,” Lee-Barber explained to Varsity. “With a new squad, it was a strong team performance by all and a great positive start to the season.”

Loughborough did put up some resistance in a frenzied finish to the third quarter, where the array of rebounds around the Light Blues’ goal circle would have been more welcome on the adjacent volleyball court. Yet Eno eventually capitalised upon more concerted pressure and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking, taking advantage of clever play by wing attack Becky Haggie.

At 34-17 to CULNC, the final 15 minutes were played for pride. Diverse distribution tactics from Smith, launching the ball with one arm or from above her head, seared open the visiting side, who tired despite their surplus of substitutes. Indeed, despite a late resurgence from the away side, accompanied by cries of “Next goal wins?” from their fans, the Light Blues did not fade and the full time whistle blew with CULNC leading 43-23.

This match was academic: tougher challenges await CULNC this season.

CULNC: Gumbiti-Zimuto, Plumtree, Smith (c), Maitland, Haggie, Lee-Barber, Eno, Carpenter

Loughborough: Alex Subert, Frankie Subert, Mustoe (c), Muzzlewhite, Peck, Stephens, Jordan, Belford, Cross, Sims, Thorpe