NORTHWICH Sapphires provided an opportunity for promising members of their junior section to shine last weekend.

Jess Brocklebank and Alice Taylor both played in a North West Championship League Division Two clash with Darwen, gaining valuable experience in a 53-44 reverse against unbeaten opponents.

They played a part too in an encouraging performance that featured great movement up and down the court and fine interceptions in the circle.

A busy day in the Cheshire Elite League included Issy Chaplin and Mia Brown making their first-team debut in an impressive 80-52 success against Capricorn.

It is a promising start to a new campaign that resumes this weekend with a head-to-head against Harlequins.

Meanwhile Sapphires fielded their under 16s team for an encounter with Merseyside in the same competition, running out 52-36 victors.

Leonie Bridge, Katie Jones, Lottie Woodmansey, Becki Knowles, Maizey Hudson, Harriet Steele and Izzy Clague made up their side for the fixture.

"It was a great experience for our girls to play a game in a senior competition and they all contributed to a close match," said Lydia Patterson, who chairs the club's committee.

Results

Saturday, November 3

North West Championship League

Division Two: Manchester Giants 85-10 Newman; Northwich Sapphires 44-53 Darwen; Ribble Valley 40-37 Chester; Trafford Youth 40-28 Trafford Seniors; Warrington 55-31 YWCA Bury.

Cheshire League

Elite Division: Merseyside 36-52 Northwich Sapphires Yellow; Northwich Sapphires Black 80-52 Capricorn

Fixtures

Saturday, November 10

Cheshire League

Elite Division: Chester Blue v Wilmslow under 18s; Deeside v Capricorn; Northwich Sapphires Black v Harlequins.