Blaze intensifies with addition of Sarnians

Not only did the club’s top team earn promotion after winning Division One last season, but they will also have their name on one of the league’s best sides following a

merger with Premier powerhouses Blaze.

Although Blaze have flickered between brilliance and debilitating squad issues, which ruined their title push last season, they will now be able to draw upon the talented pool of youngsters raised by Sarnians.

Sarnians coach Bridget Yabsley also expects the expertise of Blaze to help her club, who would otherwise have struggled to cover all their sides across multiple divisions.

‘Blaze have been struggling with having just one team and will have the benefit of being able to pull players up from the second side,’ she said.

‘They struggled last year with injuries and absentees, for good reasons, but it put a lot of pressure on the girls left in that squad.

‘Consequently their final outcome was not as good as they wanted. We spoke to Blaze about it and we thought it would be a good merger.

‘It’s about making a deal between the two clubs that will benefit both.’

Their top team will retain hints of their background as they compete under the SNC Blaze A banner.

Meanwhile, their second team will compete as SNC Pula B.

Yabsley doubles as league co-ordinator and has welcomed Pula B boosting the division from five to six sides, giving Rezzers’ and Lightning’s second teams extra company in the bottom half.

‘Even though everyone’s in the Prem, I would suggest there is a first and second team tier within the division,’ she said.

‘It should provide a good challenge for the second teams of the other clubs.’

Current champions Lightning could face a baptism of fire when they go against Blaze in Tuesday’s season opener.

Their top team, now called Lightning Strike, faces injury issues through the court, notably with captain Donna Brehaut sidelined by an abdominal tear.

Lorna Brown’s retirement and Carrie Bacon taking time out leaves them even shorter for the season.

‘We are really excited,’ an undeterred Brehaut said ahead of their title defence challenge.

‘We have to go through a transition and within the club we have youngsters and those in their early 20s – we need to push them forward.

‘We will need the support of the wider squad, most certainly in the early stage.’

The big duel takes place in the St Sampson’s High School hall at 7pm and is followed by Lightning

Flash, their second team, providing SNC Pula B’s first opposition at 8.15pm.