Previous Seasons
1952
Champions: Middlesex Saxons
Record Second Title
Supergrid 1952
Middlesex Saxons
3
Birmingham Vipers
0
Geraldine Gaunt {5, 9, 60}
Just as last year, Birmingham won the regular season and this time navigated a semi final against London to get to Supergrid.
Middlesex could only finish third in regular season, but put paid to West Yorkshire to set up a repeat of last year's Supergrid and the chance to successfully defend their crown.
Yet again both sides were littered with teenagers in this early era of the sport, where many of the players had been recruited from schools. The Saxons were without their Golden Bat winner from last year, Ellen McKeown while her replacement, Mary Lonsdale had yet to score since taking over.
The Vipers instead boasted both a slightly surprising player of the year in Zena Hall, making up for taking ill and missing out on playing in the showpiece last year, and Golden bat winner Sylvia Felgate, who went into Syupergrid tied with West Yorkshire's youngster, Mary Broomfield, but was awarded the top spot by virtue of having played a game less.
The Saxons came out and dominated the first half, Geraldine Gaunt giving them an early lead before Sylvia Felgate's attempts to come back and help a beleaguered defence only saw her get in the way and gift Gaunt a second.
In a much tighter second half, both goalies did well to prevent any further scoring, but with Birmingham pressing at the death, Gaunt completed her Hat-trick, emulating McKeown from last year.
Middlesex Saxons
1: Pamela Flindt
2: Heather Wallace
3: Janice Lothian
4: Norma Blower
5: Audrey Pertwee
6: Geraldine Gaunt
7: Mary Lonsdale
Coach: Vesta Perry
Birmingham Vipers
1: Mona Bertolino
2: Helen Annis
3: Mary Hilton
4: Rhoda Shipton
5: Zena Hall
6: Mary Derbyshire
7: Sylvia Felgate
Coach: Pat Kempson
Supergrid Champions:
Runners Up:
Third Place:
Middlesex
Birmingham
West Yorkshire
Season highlights
* Birmingham became the first team to earn two bonus points during a season, retained their regular season shield, won a record ten games and set a new points record
* Leeds became the first to lose two penalty points as they were demoted
* The game between Birmingham and Essex had to be abandoned due to a power failure with the score 3-0. The teams returned to an empty arena the following day and played out the final quarter with no further scoring.
* Eira Cordell set a new fastest goal record, scoring for Essex against Leeds after just 34 seconds
* Twice during the season, a team fought back from three goals down, and both times the game involved Durham. in the first they led Glasgow 3-0 before the Scots battled back to level. Durham regained a two goal lead before that two was clawed back for a 5-5 final score. In the second game they trailed Birmingham 0-3 before taking advantage of a sin bin to force the tie.
* On July 26th, a four figure crowd was recorded at a regular season game for the first time when exactly 1,000 fans watched Middlesex take on Essex.
* Leeds were demoted while on a run of eleven games without a win, a new record.
World Gridballer of the Year: Zena Hall - Birmingham
Golden Bat: Sylvia Felgate - Birmingham
Silver Bat: Mary Broomfield - West Yorkshire*
Bronze Bat: Susan McCrossan - Glasgow
*Although tied, Felgate's goals came from fewer games
3rd Placed Match West Yorkshire 2-0 London
Demoted: Leeds {Won promotion at the first attempt in 1953}
Promoted
Kent, Liverpool, Stafford, Tamar, Lancashire
1951
Champions: Middlesex Saxons
First Title
Supergrid 1951
Middlesex Saxons
4
Birmingham Vipers
3
Audrey Handy {13}
Sylvia Felgate {31, 41}
Ellen McKeown {36, 46, 60}
Asa Martin {47}
The first ever Supergrid was a game still regarded as one of the best ever finals as regular season Champions Birmingham tried to complete the double against pre season favourites Middlesex.
Birmingham needed to make a last minute change as Zena Hall took ill on the morning of the game, meaning Helen Annis was forced to play out of her normal defensive position at centre.
The Saxons had Ellen McKeown leading the line after recovering from the trauma of a miscarriage earlier in the season.
Both sides squandered early chances with McKeown hitting the frame at one end before Annis missed a golden chance at the other.
The first goal came from Audrey Handy as her shot deflected off Tany Pitt past her goalie. Mileno was then called on to make a good save to preserve the lead to the break.
Birmingham deservedly levelled right at the start of the third period and looked like going on from there only to be caught with an Ellen McKeown sucker punch, which guaranteed her the first Golden Bat.
Birmingham again piled on the pressure with Sylvia Felgate again deservedly levelling before going into the final quarter
Yet again the Vipers were caught against the run of play as the Saxons took the lead for the third time, only for Asa Martin to pounce on a Janice Lothian error to become the youngest scorer. The game was heading for overtime with Birmingham still looking the more likely when Gaunt set up McKeown to complete her Hat-trick with less than thirty seconds remaining.
Middlesex Saxons
1: Ann Mileno
2: Heather Wallace
3: Janice Lothian
4: Honor Whitfield
5: Audrey Handy
6: Geraldine Gaunt
7: Ellen McKeown
Coach: Vesta Perry
Birmingham Vipers
1: Mona Bertolino
2: Tanya Pitt
3: Peggy Heath
4: Rhoda Shipton
5: Helen Annis
6: Asa Martin
7: Sylvia Felgate
Coach: Pat Kempson
Supergrid Champions:
Runners Up:
Third Place:
Middlesex
Birmingham
Glasgow
Season highlights
* Birmingham won their opening three games without conceding a goal. The only team to achieve a three win sdequence.
* Conversely Glasgow were the only side to lose three consecutive games.
* Liverpool recorded the biggest victory of the season 10-0 at Glasgow. Janet Camara set the individual scoring record for a game with seven goals.
World Gridballer of the Year: Ellen McKeown - Middlesex
Golden Bat: Ellen McKeown
Silver Bat: Janet Camara - Liverpool
Bronze Bat: Asa Martin - Birmingham
3rd Placed Match Glasgow 1-0 Liverpool
Liverpool Demoted {won Promotion again in 1952}
Promoted
Durham, Essex, Leeds, London, West Yorkshire