CLAN had a busy weekend with 12 senior and junior teams in action as the new netball season got under way.

Their top senior side, which competes in the National Premier League Three, started the campaign at BSV Billericay and, despite starting strong in the first few minutes, wobbled and were six goals down after the first quarter.

The visitors built on their play from the first period and, as a new side, were still trying to cement combinations so errors crept in and were 12 goals down at half-time.

A big second half was needed and Clan made changes on court with fresh legs coming on and the visitors started to make a comeback. A superb third quarter of play, with all players showing great fight and determination, saw Clan pull back to be within two goals.

No changes were made for the fourth period and the team kept calm and composed to take a two-goal advantage.

Billericay were not going down without a fight and a tremendous quarter of netball ensued. End to end, goal for goal, with both teams trying to get an advantage. The final whistle went in a 41-41 draw.

It was a huge performance from Clan to pull back a 12-goal deficit and nearly pull off a win. It gives the squad great confidence for the next match.

The Junior Regional Squads play in the Netball South League and had mixed results.

The Under 13s and 14s travelled to Brighton to face Five Ways Netball Club. The U13s went with just eight players which meant that all selected needed to be flexible and give their all on the court.

The game was end-to-end with both sides taking a while to settle. Clan kept on pushing forwards, making excellent intercepts as well as scoring from their own centre pass, and after the first quarter had a slim two-goal lead.

Five Ways were not giving up and had a talented shooter who was incredibly accurate and kept them in the game. Changes were made at half-time and players had to re-settle in not necessarily familiar positions.

The second half was end-to-end with both teams going ahead and then behind.

Sheer determination not to lose saw Clan take the win 34-32. It was an incredible match and a great squad performance. The player-of-the-match was Jemima Donn.

Both teams competed equally in the first quarter of the U14s match with Clan in a slim lead.

The second quarter was poor from the visitors as errors and a loss of concentration let Five Ways take control of the match and go into half-time ahead.

An intense teamtalk and changes were made at the start to the third quarter. A huge improvement in performance saw Clan hunting down the game and, by the fourth quarter, the deficit was down to four goals.

The last period saw a great display of intense netball from both sides. Goal-for-goal with both teams working really hard to take the win. Despite their best efforts, the game was lost 30-27. The player-of-the-match was Anna Coomber.

The U16s regional side had the furthest to travel as they took the short flight to Guernsey to play their match. This was a young group with half the team U15s with a limited time playing and training together.

Clan made a slow start as they cemented combinations on court which led them to being 11 goals down in the first quarter.

Guernsey were keen to capitalise on their excellent start in the second quarter and pulled away to lead by 15.

The comeback from Clan began in the third quarter. With the players becoming more familiar with each other, the netball played was getting better. The visitors were charging down the deficit and Guernsey were buckling under the immense pressure.

Sadly they were beaten by the clock and lost 38-36 but the performance raises spirits for the rest of the season. The player-of-the-match was Eloise Wraight.