NETBALL: Shenfield Ravens Black made a good start to their Redbridge summer league campaign with a 27-23 win over Robins.
The first half was end to end, but Robins edged it as they took a three-goal lead to the interval.
Ravens switched Hannah O'Sullivan and Katie Johnson in defence for the second half and their combination with Hannah Lawrence gained more Ravens turnovers.
Mid courts Katie Healy and Niamh Burke made sure a good supply was fed into shooters Caroline Wood and Anna Johnson, as Ravens swooped to take the points.
Burke was named player of the match on her debut performance for the club.
Shenfield Ravens Purple gained promotion from the winter campaign, and knew this level would be much tougher.
However, Ravens produced a good performance, and pushed Essex Open hard.
The first half was very close, with Jen Garrett, Debbie Kemp and Clodagh Keilthy in mid court to give good service to shooters Alice Lucey and player of the match, Heather Banks, as Ravens went to the break one goal down.
The second half started the same, and Clare Sullivan and Laura Lucey were prominent in defence as Ravens kept Essex Open at bay.
However, these efforts saw Ravens tire, and Essex took control as the match reached it's conclusion with the final score 25-18 to Essex Open.