Imperials knew they were in for a tough match against Derek Warwick Soton, the recent winners of Section B of the Floodlit league, but they were not going to let their skill level drop.

After a steady start, Imperials - still a relatively new team - demonstrated their improvement by scoring two goals in a row.

There was some nice shooting from the Imperials goal shooter, Sam Chard, throughout the first quarter - and Imperials seemed to settle into the game a little better than the Derek Warwick team.

Imperials made a few changes at the break and Derek Warwick, who needed to stamp their authority onto the game, made one.

Play was of a good standard with both teams working hard with the ball and the half-time scores were 17-16 in favour of Derek Warwick.

Imperials made more changes and tried different tactics and, during the next quarter, Derek Warwick started to pull clear by a few goals.

But Imperials did not give in easily and had to make sure that, when they got into the shooting circle, they converted the goals.

Going into the last quarter, Imperials trailed by eight goals and needed to work hard to stop their opponents' momentum from running away with the game.

Imperials managed to keep in touch and worked hard to keep in the game, fighting right until the final whistle.

Unfortunately, it was a little too late and the end result was a 42-31 result in Derek Warwick's favour.

Imperials' consolation was the point they gained by scoring more than half their opponents' total.

The team are on the lookout for more players and anyone who would like to join a friendly team who train at Crestwood School on Tuesday evenings (7.30pm-9pm) should e-mail me at the above address and I will forward your details to the team.

LET'S MEET THE TEAM:

Goal shooter - Lisa Webb, planning supervisor at Fawley, has been playing netball since 1998 and also likes badminton and darts.

Goal attack - Sam Chard, housewife and mother of two, is learning Spanish and likes DIY. She plays netball to keep fit and for the friendship involved.

Wing attack - Katherine Muirhead, full-time mum with three children, has been playing netball for three years. She likes the element of keeping fit and also some freedom from her normal routine.

Centre - Becky Riddet, staff nurse at SGH, played netball at school then gave up for a while. She has been playing for Imperials for three years. Likes the social aspect.

Wing defence - Jane Pidoux, business analyst, started playing three years ago. Why Imperials? Moved here from Bath. Her hobbies include the clarinet and piano and playing in bands.

Goal defence - Chris Bracknell, building services engineer, has played for three to four years. Why netball? Her mother would have abandoned her if she took up hockey again. She is also a Cub leader and has begun playing golf.

Goal keeper - Liz Hayward, teacher, got into netball through a course run by Margaret Whittacker, chairwoman of Mid-Hants/Southampton Netball Association. Likes dog-walking and skiing.

Sub - Sam Stroud. Has two children and likes to play netball for fun.

Coach - Debbie Spiers, teacher and umpire. She was not present on match day.