The Manx Netball Association’s Christmas Tournament was held at the National Sports Centre on Sunday.
A total of 11 teams from across the island entered the three-hour event and the morning proved to be a festive finish to the winter league.
The Christmas Tournament is played with mixed teams and usually in fancy dress. The teams are made up of three men and four women, with the men always playing GS, GK and C to try to ensure the players are more evenly matched. The 11 teams were split into two groups and each played four or five qualifier games. These were quick-paced contests and gave everyone the chance to meet teams and players from across other divisions.
By the end of the first round, eight teams moved on to the Christmas Stars quarter-finals while the teams placing ninth and 10th prepared themselves for the Christmas Pudding finals. This meant the 11th place team, MS Hurricanes, were knocked out, although they truly fought hard against what were mostly Premier League island teams.
The Christmas Pudding final was between C&SD and Fencibles B, with the latter effortlessly triumphing as the winners.
The Christmas Star quarter-finals were played and four teams progressed to the semis from which Ballasalla and Route One Crackers booked their place in the final.
The last game commenced and it looked all set to be a fast-paced and exciting match as Ballasalla took the lead early on before Route One C battled to try and regain the difference.
Unfortunately, just three minutes into the match a Route One C player was injured and they asked to concede the game, having already lost another player through injury earlier in the competition and feeling it was the safest thing to do. Therefore Ballasalla were crowned champions of the MNA Christmas Tournament.
A raffle was held during the morning raising £39 for the association while there was an additional prize for the best fancy dressed team which went to Ramsey who all dressing as trades people (high vis jackets included!).
Other mentions for fancy dress must go to C&SB for the tigers and chicken, as well as Route One Stockings for getting the men to wear netball dresses!
The tournament could not have run without the support of Helen from Anglo Manx Electrical Services, Shiona from Route One and Gaynor from Ramsey. Also a big thanks go to Colette from Ramsey for photographing the game.