Monmouth Netball Club's first team played Blackwood C for the second time this season.

When the teams last met, Blackwood won the game by one goal so all was to play for and Monmouth were desperate for the five points, currently sitting at fourth in the South East Wales Netball League.

Monmouth, who had a bare seven players, made a slow start to the game and a number of passes were intercepted in attacking play giving Blackwood a lead of 10-seven at the end of the first quarter.

Monmouth began to settle into the second quarter and with the shooting partnership of Mandy Davies and Kate Hapgood beginning to settle and both missing hardly any shots on goal, they outscored Blackwood by five, giving them the lead at half-time.

Although Monmouth made a number of poor passing decisions, their determination and desire to win was greater than that of Blackwood's during the third quarter.

Centre court players Emma King and Vanessa Ball worked the ball well through the centre court from defence to attack. This helped Monmouth extend their lead to seven.

Monmouth started the final quarter with all guns blazing, with the defensive trio of Lisa English, Tracey Powell and Rebecca Price disrupting Blackwood's attacking play.

Monmouth kept up the tempo for the last 13 minutes of the game, which Blackwood struggled to cope with.

The game finished 46-25 to Monmouth. Player of the match as voted by Blackwood was Vanessa Ball.

Captain Emma King was pleased with the team's performance and is confident for the team's remaining games of the season.