Fusion are above average
Defending champions retain title, but Summer League campaign is cancelled
FUSION Group are celebrating after being crowned champions of an abridged Newbury Netball Winter League season.
The competition was put on hold in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
And now the league has reluctantly cancelled the Summer League campaign.
It had been clinging on to the hope that it might get a shortened season in, but it has now given up on that and hopes to resume playing in September.
The league decided to finalise the Winter League tables on the information received from England Netball, using its Average Score rating to ascertain the final positions.
Fusion finished clear at the top of the Steiner Premier Division with an average score of 39.45, with Jets Black runners-up on 36.90.
The Division 1 winners were Newbury 4x4 Centre 2 with an average 39.45, ahead of runnersup Hungerford Extras (36.90).
And Jets Orange were champions of Division 2 on 39.45 with Altair Media second on 35.63.
The league also decided that there will be no promotion or relegation.
There was also no presentation of medals with the six successful teams choosing two charities, who will receive all monies that would have been used for the purchase of medals.
The two charities are Swings & Smiles and Sue Ryder, who each receive £300.
Newbury League chair Polly Smith said: “We were waiting for a long as possible to make any decisions in the hope that we could finish our season, but this is not going to be the case.
“At this moment in time, we have no idea when we will be permitted to play netball once again – I am assuming when social distancing is no longer applicable.
“They talk about sport being a great mental boost to your well being, including meeting friends, having a good laugh, having a good moan.
“I can honestly say that I am missing netball, watching and umpiring competitive games, chatting to supporters, the list goes on but we will get back to it.
“When, I have no idea, but we, all of us, will be ready, willing and keen to get the kit back on.”