Other The Mutual Maitland Netball Competition first round A-grade winners were Royal Federal Hotel and Hills Solicitors.

Last year’s minor premiers and beaten grand finalists Hills Solicitors defeated The Castle 46-20.

Branxton team Royal Federal Hotel defeated The Bradford 42-24 in trying conditions with intermittent rain. 

George Tavern captain Amonie Lindsell said rain throughout the day tested everyone, but it was great to bet back on court.

“Unfortunately, conditions were worse than ideal. We probably found ourselves a bit restricted in the first couple of quarters with the conditions,” Lindsell said.

“We seemed to free up more in the last quarter and found some rhythm.”

Lindsell was pleased with the performance of former Queen’s Arms players Alyce Ham and Olivia Parrey who joined the line-up this season.

The A-grade experienced players replace Emily Keith, who is concentrating more on basketball this season, and Mel Cook, who has other commitments.

“I think they really round out our team,” Lindsell said of Ham and Parrey.

“We’ve got a really versatile team this year, lots of options in terms of our ends. We have a couple of players who can play both ends.”

Lindsell said LJ Hooker pushed them in all facets of the game until the last quarter.

“I don’t think the scoreline reflects how close it really was. There was only six in it for most of the game, until the last quarter,” she said.

“I feel by the last quarter we really found our rhythm.

“Our shooters weren’t missing many, they were finishing our opportunities well.

Lindsell said Hills Solicitors would again be a big threat this season and LJ Hooker were always competitive.

“Some of the other teams are really unknown quantities, that in itself is a threat,” she said. “There are at least four teams that look very different.”