BIKERS revved up to hold a charity gig at the Yardbirds club in Grimsby – raising £485.

Members of the Two Hats bikers club put on the event to raise money for the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD).

The event was inspired by the deeds of Two Hats member Kenny Ball, who went the whole of 2012 without having a drink.

Paul Bratley, who organised the gig along with Marion Albery, said: "Last year Kenny gave up drinking for a year. There are probably 2,000 pictures of him on Facebook and in all of them he's got a beer in his hand. I said that if he is going to make the effort to do something like that then we should use it as an opportunity to raise money for charity and we decided to do it for NABD.

"They adapt trikes so that people who are born with a disability or who lose their limbs through accidents can enjoy biking."

Local bands Decoy and Fourworn performed on the night, as did Derby band Airstryke.

Games including Play Your Cards Right added to the entertainment.

Paul said: "Lots of local businesses have donated raffle prizes and we are grateful to the Warlocks who have given us the use of the club and a sound engineer for free.

"As well as raising money tonight, we will be attending bikers' events throughout the year where we will be collecting donations. We won't have the final sum until the end of the year."

Fellow Two Hats member Tracy Westman said: "I think what Paul has done is an amazing achievement. Nobody believed that he would do it, not even himself, so we are all very proud of him. We hope this is going to raise a lot of money and we have had a lot of help from a lot of good people."

For more entertainment news, see your bumper What's On supplement, free with today's Grimsby Telegraph.

FUNDRAISING is black and white for a children's charity.

Tickets are now on sale for When You Wish Upon A Star's annual black and white ball.

The event, which is the highlight of the children's charity's fundraising calendar, will take place at the Forest Pines Hotel, near Brigg on Saturday, May 11.

The charity, whose regional branch is run by mother and daughter Pat Wright and Joanne Heywood, makes dreams come true for children with terminal and life-threatening illnesses.

As well as organising an annual trip to see Father Christmas in Lapland, the charity grants a variety of different wishes to poorly children throughout the year – from meeting Fireman Sam to watching Manchester United.

This year's ball will mark the 18th year of fundraising and wish granting in the region.

Guests will enjoy a three-course meal, plus coffee, and will have the opportunity to take part in a raffle and auction.

Entertainment will be provided by Hull vocalist Lee Davison who will be singing into the early hours.

Joanne said: "This is always the highlight of our fundraising calendar and this year is no exception.

"We believe it is going to be a wonderful night, with lots in store to treat our guests to an amazing night.

"It always sells out very quickly though, so we would urge people to get in touch as soon as possible if they are interested in coming along and helping us to make a few dreams come true."

Get tickets

Tickets for the event cost £45 per person, with a few tables of 10 and 12 still available. The charity may also be able to accommodate smaller parties on shared tables.

For information or a booking form, contact joanne@whenyouwish.org.uk or call 01472 827100.

FAMILY-RUN Alvingham Farm Shop, near Louth, is showing customers why local is best.

The 25-year-old firm is just one of dozens of businesses to sign up to the Grimsby Telegraph's Buy Local scheme – aimed at helping to boost the local economy, while helping you grab a bargain.

Trips to the shops are getting more expensive, so by signing up to Buy Local could make a big difference to your budget.

And now you can add quality butcher-prepared meats to the list.

The Lincolnshire-based firm produces 100 per cent handmade burgers, sausages and pies as well as a full range of butcher-prepared meats.

Shop manager Julie Evans said customers can trust in the quality of their products.

"We have been here for 25 years and in this time we have built a reputation for quality for our products and our expert staff," she explained.

"With us you can be 100 per cent sure of what you are buying.

"We don't have any processed meats, everything is handmade in store.

"We use trusted local suppliers so you can have faith in our meats.

"Our staff are experts and can help with any queries, even cooking tips."

Julie said using local firms is important.

"We all should support buying local," she said.

"These firms can give a better customer service and often have better understanding of the products they are selling."

Alvingham Farm Shop is located in Yarburgh Road, Alvingham, near Louth. Delivery is available.

Call 01507 327205 for more information.

INDEPENDENT Grimsby fashion retailer Jazz is to throw a huge charity party to celebrate a quarter of a century helping to dress the town.

The Abbeygate gem has weathered not just the recent high street storm, but several others, too, and as the milestone year draws to a close a bash featuring the Rumble Band – in aid of St Andrew's Hospice – will toast the continued success.

Owner Darren Spencer, who was a trainee accountant at nearby Forrester Boyd until he went travelling around Europe with friend and initial business partner Tim Maddison, realised there was a niche for middle-market fashion retailing on his return.

That was 1987, and 25 years on, he is still ensuring men, and more recently women, too, don't miss out on the latest trends, with fellow directors Alfie Hope and wife Rachel Spencer.

Mr Spencer said: "We are not the only ones in Grimsby to pass 25 years by any stretch, but we have dozens and dozens come and go. You have got to work at it, and we have done, and it is not all highs, it can be tough at times, but that is running your own business."

The party planning seed was sewn well before Christmas, with a special double-your-money voucher promotion, with customers snapping them up receiving a ticket for the event, to be held from 7.30pm at The Beachcomber, Humberston on Thursday, March 14.

Mr Spencer said: "It was an idea to reward our loyal customers, and obviously with it being for charity, we want to get as many people there, so we have opened it up to anyone who wants to buy a ticket."

With tickets priced at £7, together with raffle and potential auction, the team hope to raise a total of £5,000, adding to £1,500 already raised in a festive promotion.

"We want to make sure we have the place full on the night, so we can make that happen" he said. Town favourite the Rumble Band will be on hand, with Grimsby Town players also to make an appearance, several being loyal customers themselves.

"The Rumble Band are looking forward to it," added Mr Spencer. "They haven't played Grimsby for a while."

Whether The Kinks' Dedicated Follower of Fashion is trotted out remains to be seen.

For tickets visit the store in Abbeygate, or call (01472) 240341.

A VALUE supermarket has invested £250,000 on expanding in Freeman Street, creating three new jobs and filling a large empty shop front in a prime location.

Cut-price food store Heron Foods, which specialises in frozen products, has moved from its tiny shop on Freeman Street to a larger premises opposite – formerly the Halifax – and the unit next-door.

The unit has been empty since October 2009 when the building society – the last remaining bank on the once-bustling high street – shut its doors, despite attempts from campaigners to prevent the closure.

Yet despite the recession and the exodus of stores in Freeman Street over recent years, Heron has invested around a quarter-of-a-million on refitting the new store – which is around three times the size of the previous one.

Area manager Leighton Smith said that business was good for the Hull-based company, which has 237 stores – including one on St Peter's Avenue – and is always looking to expand locally.

He added: "The old store was doing good business for the size of it and has served us well for over 20 years but as our range grows, so do we.

"Our hope is that this store is even more popular and will provide a better shopping experience for our customers in Grimsby."

James McGregor, 20, from Cleethorpes, had been doing temporary work as a labourer before getting permanent employment with Heron.

"A lot of my friends are struggling to get work so I'm really happy to have this job – the labouring was only temporary and I didn't enjoy it," he said.

Customers seemed to like the store as well.

Joanne Bateman, 31, of Cleethorpes, said: "The new store is bang tidy – we didn't go in the old store much because it was quite small, but this one is much better."

Store manager Denise Moloney has worked for the company for 17 years – nine in Cleethorpes before moving to be store manager in Grimsby.

She said: "People struggled to get round the aisles with buggies and trollies before so this will be a great improvement.

"We've been working really hard to get the store ready and it's definitely paid off, looking at it now."

"I WISH he had lived to hear the news."

Second World War veterans who served on the treacherous Arctic convoys will finally be recognised with a new medal.

Yesterday's announcement from the Government came ten days too late for 86-year-old Neville Boden, who was laid to rest in Immingham yesterday.

But his widow Frances and close friend Alf Duncan, a fellow veteran, said he would be "absolutely delighted" that his surviving comrades are at last being rewarded with the Arctic Star medal.

As reported in the Grimsby Telegraph in December, Neville had been offered the Ushakov medal for bravery for his part in the conflict by the Russian Government.

But like his fellow veterans, he was prevented from receiving it by the British Government due to regulations which stated that too much time had elapsed.

Frances, 80, expressed sadness that the gesture had come too late for her husband, but was happy for survivors.

She said: "The Russians had written to them saying they were awarding them this medal, but the British Government said no.

"Neville would be absolutely delighted at this news and he would think that it was only right that they should be recognised. It is just a shame it didn't come sooner. A week or so earlier and he would have found out."

Neville served on the tanker MV Marathon which carried aircraft fuel to Russia as part of the Arctic convoys.

More than 3,000 men died in the freezing waters of the Arctic as they worked to keep supplies flowing through German blockades, on what Winston Churchill described as the "worst journey in the world".

Until now, no medal has been awarded specifically for this conflict.

Instead veterans who served on the Arctic convoys were eligible for the Atlantic Star, a medal extended from another conflict.

Neville's friend Alf Duncan, 86, of Humberston, also served on the Arctic convoys, aboard the destroyer HMS Scourge.

He said he was pleased at the announcement, but said it had come too late for the thousands of servicemen who had died in the intervening period.

"It is right that it should be acknowledged. I don't know why the Government didn't award us a medal in the first place. I think Churchill would have been turning in his grave.

"We got a medal for serving in Normandy and we were only there for a month, yet we were in the Arctic for two years."

Describing conditions on the convoys, he said: "It's hard to explain. I was only 16. We used to sail close to the ice and you always had to be alert. I saw one or two ships sinks. You used to feel safer when the fog was down because aeroplanes couldn't see us.

"It's quite fitting, in a way, that it has come on the day of Neville's funeral, but I wish he had lived to hear the news."

The Government also announced that a Bomber Command clasp would be presented to those who flew at least one operational mission over Germany and France during the Second World War.

The medals will be sent out to veterans and their families as soon as next month, with surviving veterans and widows being the first to receive the award.

A WOMAN narrowly escaped losing an eye after she was viciously "glassed" in the face by a member of staff at a club.

Another woman desperately tried to calm the situation down, but she was also attacked and had a clump of hair pulled out, a court heard.

Rachel Kirkley, 34, of Sheraton Drive, Humberston, denied wounding Anne Walker and assaulting Amanda Wright, causing actual bodily harm, on May 26 but was convicted after a trial.

Grimsby Crown Court heard that the violent incident erupted in the toilets of the Lucarlys club in Wilton Road, Humberston.

There was a confrontation and Kirkley shoved a glass in Ms Walker's face, hitting her near an eye.

Ms Wright tried to intervene and calm the situation down, but Kirkley continued being violent and pulled a clump of hair from Ms Wright's head.

Ms Walker later said that she was "stunned" that she was attacked by a woman and even more shocked that it was by a member of staff at the premises.

"She should have been the person helping and not the person attacking me," she said.

She added that it was "very lucky" that the glass did not go in her eye – but it was "very close".

Craig Lowe, mitigating, said Kirkley had no previous convictions, acted wholly out of character and would lose her job at Lucarlys, where she had worked for about 14 years.

Recorder Eric Elliott QC told Kirkley: "She could have lost an eye.

"Your conduct in that public toilet was inexcusable, bearing in mind particularly your position of responsibility in your employment at the club."

"The public are sick and tired of violence that takes place at or inside public settings."

Mother-of-three Kirkley was given a one-year suspended prison sentence, 150 hours' unpaid work was ordered to pay £750 compensation to Ms Walker, £250 to Ms Wright and £250 costs.

"I REALLY don't know what's going to happen to these children."

That was the reaction from the mother of an autistic teenager, to the news that a "lifeline" for such families will close next month.

North East Lincolnshire Council has confirmed that Asdrel, a support service based at the former Western Technology School site, in Cambridge Road, Grimsby, will close its doors on Friday, March 29.

The announcement comes almost exactly a year after concerned parents were told that the service, which supports children aged five to 16 with autism and asperger's syndrome to stay in mainstream education, was going to be withdrawn.

Although the council insists that alternative support will be provided in the school setting for children with special educational needs, parents say Asdrel's demise will remove a lifeline for those who cannot cope with attending mainstream school full time.

Caroline Jones, 45, of Cleethorpes, whose 19-year-old son Thomas used to attend Asdrel and now volunteers at the centre, said: "The whole reason Asdrel was set up is that the children couldn't cope within their schools. These children are basically being sent back into school full time with no support. I really don't know what's going to happen to them."

Thomas has been offered a place at Linkage College, in Grimsby, but is waiting to find out if the council will provide the funding for it.

Caroline said: "He's at home full time apart from one afternoon when he attends Asdrel. It is the only social interaction that he has. It's something that he looks forward to every week. He is not socialising and he is becoming more and more withdrawn."

Meanwhile, Denise Portus, one of the parents who led the campaign to fight the closure, described the move as a "money-saving exercise" and said Asdrel had been made a "scapegoat".

Although her 12-year-old son Thomas no longer attends Asdrel, as he has secured a place at a special school in Brigg, she described the service as "brilliant".

Denise, 49, of Grimsby, said: "There's going to be a co-ordinator for the schools, but they will only go into the schools to advise. It will not be hands-on like it used to be.

"At Asdrel, if a child was having a melt-down they could leave the room and then come back in again. In a mainstream school with 25 to 30 kids in a classroom, if they don't conform they will be classed as naughty children.

"For those children who rely on Asdrel, this is going to be appalling. They won't get the individual support they do with Asdrel."

She said that a legal challenge against the closure had been put on hold because parents had not provided sufficient evidence to back up their case.

"It can't go any further until the lawyers have convincing evidence that things aren't right in schools."

WITH just days to go before the Duchess of Cambridge arrives in Grimsby, we have been looking back at previous Royal visits to the town.

Although the Grimsby Telegraph has records stretching back as far as 1216, when King John visited Grimsby and granted Charter of Liberties, the majority of our archives are devoted to more recent visits.

From the Duke of Edinburgh visiting Grimsby docks back in 1949, to his return trip with the Queen almost a decade later; Princess Diana opening her namesake hospital in 1983 and, in more recent years, Princess Anne's visit to Foresight in 2008 – we have been trawling through our library to find pictures and snippets from the events.

And we're keen to hear from you about your memories of visits gone by.

GALLERY: Royal visits to the Grimsby area (1912-1976)

GALLERY: Royal visits to the Grimsby area (1977-1988)

GALLERY: Royal visits to the Grimsby area (1993-2008)

Mick McArthur, who was 24 and living in Scartho when Princess Diana opened the hospital, said he had fond memories of giving the People's Princess a "big, sloppy kiss".

He used his position working as gardener at the Scartho Road hospital to sneak through the crowds and put himself in prime position.

He said: "I sneaked through the back, which was the annexe then,'' he said. "There were no police there.

"I went right up to the front door, placed my bike next to me and I just stood there and she waved at everybody and I said 'she's gorgeous'."

Mr McArthur then had to wait while the Princess went into the hospital – but it was worth it. An hour later she came out and walked straight towards him, perhaps recognising him and his distinctive bike, which he built himself.

"That's what got me," he revealed.

"She just held out her hand and I kissed it. It was a big sloppy kiss!"

If you have memories of the visit, or a Royal encounter you would like to share, send us your memories and pictures to newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.

We're also collecting your messages for Kate Middleton, which you can send us by commenting below; tweeting us using #gykate or emailing newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.

GRIMSBY TOWN started and finished their Conference return superbly to notch a crucial home victory last night.

First-half goals from Marcus Marshall and Andy Cook seemed set to put them on the way to a comfortable win.

But Town's wastefulness almost came back to haunt them before Craig Disley fired home another goal of the season contender to wrap up the points late on.

As with Saturday's 0-0 FA Trophy draw at Dartford, the Town bosses opted to make three changes to their starting line-up.

The main upheaval came up front, where Cook and Ross Hannah returned at the expense of Richard Brodie and Lenell John-Lewis.

The squad rotation continued on the flanks where Marshall came in, leaving Joe Colbeck on the bench.

New addition Tom Naylor was another of the Mariners' substitutes, giving Town more potential options in defence and midfield.

The co-managers would have demanded a strong start – and boy did it arrive! And, whether it was luck or pure genius, their three recalled faces were all involved.

Hannah and Cook linked up superbly on the left wing before the latter's excellent low cross was met by Marshall at the far post.

It was a simple finish for the wideman, but he did wonderfully to get in front of his marker and slide in to direct the cross home.

Coincidentally, Marshall also gave the Mariners an early lead in the clash at Ebbsfleet at the start of December – an encounter that ended all square.

We were into the 10th minute when the hosts pressed next. This time, Marshall's clever ball down the line set Hannah away, but the forward's cross was delayed and cut out.

Cook cut open again his head – again – in that attack but was soon back with a 'Terry Butcher-style' bandage wrapped around his forehead.

It was a puzzling first 20 minutes, with no other opportunities for either side, and Ebbsfleet players collapsing injured at regular intervals.

Craig Stone was the first to limp off, with Liam Bellamy jogging on, before Stefan Payne also departed four minutes later, making way for the tricky Lanre Azeez.

Town's first corner arrived in the 27th minute, and shortly after the Mariners could have doubled their advantage. However, Devitt's wicked free-kick from the right narrowly evaded a line of Craig Disley, Shaun Pearson and then Ian Miller with the visitors defence nowhere.

Devitt was involved again in the 35th minute, dancing past two players before squaring the ball for Hannah in the box, although his first-time effort was blocked by Paul Lorraine.

The second 'serious' effort of the game didn't look too far away. And it came seven minutes before the break when Hannah's left-footed cross from the right found its way to Cook at the far post and he bundled the ball home from five yards out.

Whether Town's display merited a two-goal advantage was of little interest to the Blundell Park crowd, who began to sit a bit more comfortably.

Jack Saville was the first player booked after a late challenge on Derek Niven as Liam Daish's men looked for a response before half-time.

And the away side finally recorded an effort on goal – Liam Enver-Marum heading a corner over James McKeown's bar. Enver-Marum then tested the stopper with a deflected drive from distance as a strange half of football drew to a close.

The match should have been dead and buried three minutes after the restart when visiting keeper Preston Edwards dropped a high cross, Pearson volleyed onto the crossbar, and Cook smacked the rebound into the ground and over.

That let-off gave the Fleet some encouragement and Josh Scott zipped a 25-yarder on target to keep McKeown on his toes.

The Mariners spurned another great opportunity in the 56th minute when Cook and Hannah exchanged passes and the former Bradford man squared for Disley in acres of space in the box. The skipper took it first time, but Edwards blocked well and the chance was gone.

Enver-Marum sliced an effort wide of the near post on the hour and Town were beginning to make hard work of what should have been a routine home win. Ebbsfleet were controlling possession and nothing was sticking up front for the Mariners in a scrappy half.

Cook was again wasteful when the hosts did break, turning inside two defenders before firing a tame shot straight at Edwards.

And the Mariners were made to pay in the 74th minute when Enver-Marum turned brilliantly in the Town box and toe-poked an instant finish past McKeown and into the far corner.

The dangerous Enver-Marum then blasted over from 25 yards as the visitors looked for what had seemed such an unlikely comeback.

Cook went on a mazy run before slapping another chance wide, before it was that man, Enver-Marum for the umpteenth time, planting a near post header wide.

But it was all academic four minutes from time when Disley picked up the ball 30 yards from the Ebbsfleet goal.

Without a simple pass on, the captain tried his luck and hammered a sensational right-footed 'humdinger' past Edwards and into the top left-hand corner.

Finally, the Mariners had put the match to bed – after one or two scares – and the points were safe.

McKeown was required to push away an Ashley Carew free-kick in stoppage time, but that was that, and Town had finished off the job in style.

AN ALMIGHTY smash, the screech of tyres and a baby crying – the sounds heard by a petrified new mum as thieves drove off in the family car while she fed her nine-week-old daughter just metres away.

Brazen criminals paid no notice to the fact that Kirsty Glasson, 26, was in the next room – with the lights on – when they smashed the front door window with a brick, reached in to take the keys out of the keyhole and drove off in the family's Vauxhall Astra.

She had been feeding daughter Olivia – born just nine weeks ago – at 4.30am on Sunday at her home in Peterhouse Road, Grimsby, where she lives with fiance, lorry-driver Chris Westerman, 37 – who was asleep upstairs.

Kirsty said: "The brick could have killed Olivia if it had come through the front room window.

"I was absolutely petrified, totally numb with fear – I couldn't even speak."

Humberside Police are now investigating the incident and have warned residents to keep keys hidden – or the next address they target could be yours.

A spokesman said: "Keep your house and car keys somewhere safe and discrete or criminals may decide to take a chance."

Chris said he jumped out of bed immediately when he heard what he said sounded like a bomb going off downstairs – and his first thoughts were of his partner and daughter.

"You can't imagine what was going through my head when I heard that sound and realised they were downstairs," he said.

Mr Westerman ran to the landing shouting Kirsty's name and she just replied "the car, the car" – so he ran back to his room to get some clothes and shoes on as the floor was covered in broken glass.

By the time he was clothed and got to the door, he could hear the tyres screeching outside as the thieves drove off.

Since the incident, Kirsty has not felt safe in her home and will no longer tend to her daughter downstairs after dark – and the family has had to change the locks in case the criminals return to the house. Hardworking Chris feels he can no longer take jobs with overnight stop-offs – which are common in his line of work – while his fiancee and daughter are at the house.

The couple came forward with their story to warn others to keep keys hidden and to ask the public to look out for their daughter's buggy frame, which was in the car.

It was a silver Bebetto frame with a black bag in the bottom containing a raincover. It has black wheels, which are bigger at the back.

Chris said: "We have been leaving our keys in the door for years and never thought it would be a problem – but we won't be doing it any more.

"The car was insured and can be replaced but it had Olivia's buggy in it – it cost about £600 and we've bought all the parts."

Information to Humberside Police on 101, quoting log number 147 of February 24, 2013.

A PURPOSE-BUILT parkour facility – the first of its kind within 80 miles of North East Lincolnshire – officially opens on Saturday.

The rise in interest in the sport is due to it appearing more often in films and adverts, according to local coach Neil Hutson, who says the new park will only accelerate young people's involvement.

Neil has established Elemental Parkour Coaching in association with the existing Team Reality coaching team.

The new business has got off the ground thanks to the Government's New Enterprise Allowance scheme and youth loan organised through E-Factor, and he aims to tour schools and youth clubs.

He said: "People wrongly perceive it as a risk-taking sport pursued by hooligans, but it is more about using spaces in the environment which are rarely used.

"Parkour and free-running is the top most watched sport on the web. It is used in a lot of films and adverts.

"It is a growing sport and becoming more accessible. It helps reduce the number of young people becoming obese and lead healthier lifestyles."

Mr Hutson's classes range from introductory sessions or can last an hour long and spread over a number of weeks.

This Saturday sees the official opening of a parkour area at Grimsby's Duke of York Gardens between 10am and 2pm.

There will be practical demonstrations from some of the country's leading parkour practitioners, as well as local enthusiasts, and opportunities for people to try the equipment and learn the basics.

For nearly two years, the council's Specialist Health Promotion Service and Team Reality have worked with the community, councillors and other professionals to develop the project and gain £57,000 in funding from Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside Police for the facility.

Councillor Ros James, portfolio holder for housing and wellbeing at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "Local consultation amongst communities, local organisations and practitioners saw an overwhelming response for the need of such a facility.

"We are delighted that the young people who practise parkour now have a purpose built facility, and look forward to it going from strength to strength."

See your Telegraph for coverage of the opening. To find out more about parkour, visit www.teamreality.co.uk or call Neil on 07590 825612.

BRING Cargo netted the Grimsby & District Senior Netball Winter League Division One title – but lost their unbeaten record in their final game of the season.

Cargo had 16 victories and five draws to their name going into a curtain-closing clash against MRS Protherm at Oasis Academy Wintringham.

Protherm, who finished third, claimed the scalp of inflicting a first defeat on Cargo, winning 23-21.

But Cargo still toasted their title tonic, finishing four points clear of runners-up Louth Tennis & Sports Centre A – who beat Port of Grimsby 31-23 in their final game.

The division's best defence accolade went to Cargo duo Chrissie Harrison and Vicky Smith. The top shooters in the top flight were Louth pair Holly Arrowsmith and Rachel Allinson.

Division Two winners Arties Playsport did manage the unbeaten feat Cargo missed out on, however.

They finished 16 points clear of runners-up CS Strollers, with a record of 15 wins and seven draws.

Arties shooters' – Karen Bolton, Julie Klug and Julie Svendson – tied with Graham Bridges Signwriting's Tracey Bridges and Lorraine Duncan for most goals scored.

Arties players Angie Hackney, Vickie McGuire and Helen Manship made up the division's best defence.

GSA Environmental also enjoyed an extremely strong season, winning Division Three with only one defeat to their name.

They boasted the division's best defensive record, through Shelley Chapman and Michelle Murray, and the most goals scored, thanks to Sarah Linley and Adrianne Grimley.

Brigg Ladies won Division Four, finishing two points clear of runners-up Louth Netball Club. Louth boasted the best defence – in Pippa Dowse, Kylie Watts, Danielle Gibbs and Steph Fuller – as well as the highest scorers: Jenny Rossi, Sam Young and Lian Harrison.

The Handicap Tournament will be played on March 11-12 and March 18-19, before the final on March 25. The summer season will start on April 15.

ARTIES Playsport finished the season unbeaten by overcoming Wright & Gray International by 21 goals to 13.

Wright took the lead amid a tight first half thanks to some superb long-range shooting by goal shooter (GS) Rebecca Raworth and goal attack (GA) Gill Klug.

Goalkeeper (GK) Jane Wright and goal defence (GD) Narissa Leyland also worked hard at the back.

Play was worked up the court well by Wright wing defence (WD) Ann-Marie Tuplin, centre (C) Amanda French and wing attack (WA) Beth French.

Playsport hit back, however, thanks to some precise court play between Julie Svendsen (WD), Rachel Winfarrah (C) and Vicky Maguire (WA) – and they led 11 goals to nine at the break.

Three successive goals by Playsport in the second half stretched the lead, backed by good defending from Angie Hackney (GK) and Helen Manship (GD).

The link-up play between Julie Klug (GS) and Karen Bolton (GA) improved, with Klug getting herself into better shooting positions and Bolton's confidence at long-range shots also increased.

Blackrow Engineering and DJ Ennis both ended their season with good displays in an enjoyable game.

Blackrow triumphed by 21 goals to 13.

It was a quite low-scoring first half, with Ennis just edging ahead by seven goals to four much to the disappointment of Blackrow – they had numerous shots but they just didn't go through the net.

Both Sophie Gordon (GA) and Jessica Billingham (GS) for Blackrow have a tremendous work ethic and did not give up, though.

Ennis rang the changes at half-time as each player moved into a new position.

This made for an enjoyable half, but the Blackrow players – used to their normal positions – began to take control, and their shooting pair grew in confidence.

Gordon and Billingham netted well as their team finished the campaign with a victory.

ADAM Goodwin ran in two second-half tries as Cleethorpes RUFC continued their Lincolnshire Cup defence with a 23-10 victory at Bourne.

The Meggies were without several first-team regulars but still had a strong line-up to face their rivals – from the Midlands 4 West.

Cleethorpes, back in league action this Saturday against Long Eaton at Lucarly's (2.15pm), realised early in the tie that forward dominance would win the game last weekend.

Strong scrummaging and line-out play was important and Cleethorpes stuck to their game-plan superbly.

Running from forwards John Marris, Scott Brown and Adam Fanthorpe earned the Meggies good field position.

Captain Pete Southwell marshalled the team well from the unfamiliar position of scrum-half, while Steve Broderick had good control over the backs from fly-half.

Andy Shaw scored a well-worked try in the corner to finish off a good set-piece move as Cleethorpes took control, but their 10-3 half-time lead did not do their play justice.

The Meggies maintained their momentum after the break, though, as they continued to dominate up front and provide good service for the backs.

After Goodwin made victory safe with two tries, a late consolation try from Bourne made the victory margin less flattering.

Cleethorpes – eighth in the 12-team Midlands 3 East (North) – host fourth-placed Long Eaton on Saturday. Training at Lucarly's tonight starts at 6.30pm.

DEBUTANT Jordan Boyington took all the plaudits as Humberston cranked up the pressure on their Division One title rivals with a 4-0 drubbing of Grimsby Warriors.

A well-organised Warriors side held the title-chasers until half time after soaking up the pressure impressively.

However, after the interval the lively Boyington helped to break the deadlock as, after the keeper spilt his cross, Kirk Wheeler slotted home.

With their opponents resistance broken, Humberston piled on the pressure and Liam Davis soon doubled the advantage.

Paul Smith then put the game beyond doubt with Humberston's third.

And the rout was completed in the most bizarre fashion when a Davis punt over the top was misjudged by the advancing keeper.

Both he and Boyington gave chase but neither could reach the ball before it nestled in the bottom corner.

Louis Grant missed his second consecutive penalty late on after Warriors keeper Sam Thorp made a fine save, but it had no bearing on the result as Humberston tightened their grip at the top of the pile.

Humberston secretary Mick Woolford said: "This was an important win against a Warriors side who are difficult to break down.

"We were just on the verge of getting frustrated when things began to happen and we scored.

"We set-up better in the second half and Jordan Boyington gave us another dimension."

He added: "It's a massive game for us next week against an improved Empire United.

"The division seems to have come to life recently as witnessed by the game between Empire and DMS, which resulted in a draw.

"Everybody is looking forward to a tough game, which is what we need to test ourselves against strong opposition."

Elsewhere in the top tier, Jamie Smith's first hat-trick for GTF Seas set them on their way to a 5-1 victory over AFC Bradley (Mark Simons).

Paul Chaplin and Bobby Lewsam were also on target for Seas, who are well-placed in the league but only have one game left.

Empire Utd drew 2-2 with DMS (Johnathan Oglesby 2), who remain unbeaten, and Cromwell (Nick Brown, Sean Carlile) drew 2-2 with SW Steelers (Kyle Bensley, Joe Burns).

In Division Two, Crows Nest (Luke Neul 2, Lee McFarland) went back to the top after beating BBS Couriers 3-0.

Pattesons moved into second with 4-0 victory over The Imperial Red Star.

Josh Baines grabbed a hat-trick with Dave Walsh adding the other.

AFC Wybers made their intentions clear with a 6-0 drubbing of Healing with Tom Dent and Pete Taylor both scoring hat-tricks.

A resurgent Caistor Rovers side won 5-0 away to Inkworks while Tap & Spile beat Police (Adam Aisthorpe, Sean Mayall, Derek Woods) 7-3.