YWCA Bury Netball Club have realised their ambition by gaining promotion into the prestigious All England National Premier League.

Former Manchester Thunder and Loughborough Lightning player Rachel Henry, who now heads up the coaching of this forward-thinking club, had only one target this season – to get the club back in the National League where it had once been the team to beat.

Eleven years have passed since YWCA Bury last represented the North West on the national stage and eight since they had last made it to the play-offs.

This season has seen them beat off tough competition from across the North West, including the powerhouse of Oldham – who ultimately finished top of the league but were ruled out of promotion as they already have a team in the National League – to the warriors from the west of the region, Warrington, who were beaten to the play-offs by just one point.

Eleven teams headed to Ilford to run the gauntlet of the 2017/18 Mizuno Premier League play-offs and four places were up for grabs in Premier League Three, with two teams battling to keep their position in the league.

The first game of the most nerve-inducing weekend of netball saw Bury meet Loughborough-based TFC, who were fighting relegation after what had been a disappointing season for them in the respected National League.

After a nervous first quarter, Bury soon found their rhythm throughout the remainder of the game.

The game closed with Bury defeating the East Midlands team comfortably 57-34, standing them in good stead for their next game against Hi-Tech Netball from Huddersfield.

This unorthodox team were not to be underestimated as they gave Bury a run for their money as the first quarter finished with them leading 14-10.

A reminder of how far they had come saw a renewed Bury come out for the second half showing their worth.

And by the end of the third quarter they were back to their winning ways, conceding only eight goals in the 15-minute quarter thanks to the defensive mastery of Elia McCormick and Tyrene Karim.

The defensive and mid-court pressure continued throughout the final quarter, as did Imogen Turner’s impact in the shooting circle, allowing YWCA Bury to see out the game with a 20-goal margin, 57-37 the final score.

The two Saturday wins secured Bury their place at the top of the group meaning they would only meet one team the following day and would be 60 minutes away from the all-important promotion.

With the sun shining brightly, the Bury team had an early start back at the Redbridge Sport Centre.

The final game saw the team face Exeter Netball who were headed up by Team Bath’s assistant Super League coach, Denise Ellis.

Despite the wealth and expertise Ellis brought to the south western team, they were outplayed and outperformed by some stunning passages of play from the Bury girls.

An injection of pace and dynamicity was evident from Manchester Thunder Super League player Dani Bloomfield, whose swift interchanges with Alicia Scholes and Rachel Henry were too much for the southern team to take, trailing 19-5 at the end of the first quarter.

YWCA Bury were aware that, while there were still 45 minutes left on the clock, if they continued the way they had started, one of the four places would be theirs.

Henry selflessly benched herself, allowing the game to be completed with all squad members having taken to the court.

YWCA Bury secured the game and their place in the National Premier League by winning 52-35.

As a result of this promotion, next season will see them take to the road for away fixtures as far as Norfolk, Brighton and even Jersey.

This season not only saw Bury top the NW Premier League, but also the NW Championship League One, securing automatic promotion for this team too.

Having lost only two games throughout the season, the league finished at the end of April with a top-of-the-table clash against Capricorn Netball.

The St Helens-based team rallied hard throughout the 60 minutes but the Championship team, who have grown stronger throughout the season, managed to keep them at bay, winning the game with a six-goal lead and securing their place at the top of the table.

Both squads are currently on a well-deserved month’s rest and pre-season will resume early next month.

Anyone interested in supporting this local club as they move from strength to strength, with offers of sponsorship can contact the club at ywcaburyseniors@gmail.com.