A SEASON in different surroundings worked wonders for the Pochins netball team.

They quit the Coppenhall League, where they had been regulars if not stars, two years ago to play in the Macclesfield and Congleton League.

There they found the standard too high and rejoined the Coppenhall set-up at Crewe - to find they just could not be beaten.

While they were away either the standard had fallen or the Macc League had made them into better players.

'That, and the fact that we have played together a while and improved,' said player Claire Gillig an.

'Whatever the reason, it was a pleasant surprise.

'We were in Division Four but could hold our own in Division Two.'

Pochins won all 24 games to win the title, scoring more than 500 goals, a feat never achieved before.

Nicola Blackwood and Emma Gilligan were the dynamic scoring duo.

Their only defeat came in the knockout final, 16-14 to All Blacks.

The girls, five of whom are related, train at Middlewich Leisure Centre on Wednesdays from 7.30-8.30pm and new players and keep fitters are welcome.

The cost is £3 a session. In our picture are: Nicola Blackwood, Hannah Gaynor, Paula Turner, Dierdre Robinson, Claire Gilligan; Kerry Bradley, Katy Stevens, Catherine Stevens, Emma Gilligan, Gemma Staley.

Absent were Gemma Kennerley and Kelly Mar tin.