YOU can always expect close rivalry when you get two Blackburn and Burnley teams playing against each other - even if it is a friendly netball match!

And on this occasion it was Burnley College who got one over the arch enemy in a local derby that wasn't settled until the dying moments.

However it was Burnley's flying start that laid the foundations for a hard-fought victory as Blackburn were forced to play catch-up netball for the remainder of the match.

The home side always had the upper hand thanks to the sharp shooting of goal scorer Zoe Pickard who found her eye for goal right from the start to give Burnley the upper hand.

Pickard was well supported in attack by centre Leanne Kershaw and goal attack Kay Hurst as Blackburn struggled to stay with Burnley in the opening period.

However the visitors soon clawed their way back into the game thanks to some fine counter attacking which set up their own goal machine Jodie Knight to reduce the deficit.

But no matter how many times Blackburn scores, Burnley did enough to stay a few goals in front for the remainder of the game and clung on for a fine victory.

But it was no all doom and gloom for Blackburn College on a day of sporting action. For while the netball side went down in a narrow defeat, the mixed hockey side restored some pride with an excellent 7-3 win. In another close match that could have gone either way, it was two goals apiece from Katriona Boyle, Stephen Riding and Chris Campion that settled the tie while Martin Hunter also got on the scoresheet.

And after three football matches, honours were even after the First XI drew 0-0 while Burnley's Second XI romped to a 5-1 win before Blackburn Third XI hit back with a exciting 4-3 win.

BURNLEY COLLEGE NETBALL TEAM: Zoe Pickard, Vicky Gilbert, Louise Renaud, Nacressa Swan, Leanne Kershaw, Munazza Haidry, Andrea Sadler, Maria Atkinson, Joanne Whitehead and Kay Hurst.

BLACKBURN COLLEGE NETBALL TEAM: Victoria Worswick, Claire Bottomley, Emma Richardson, Keira Ollerton, Jodie Knight, Kerry Hartley, Lisa McDonald, Melissa Taylor, Anita Megson and Rachel Langland.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.