Gridball
1958

The Cheshire Cats became the first team to win the title for the second time after snatching a dramatic late victory in almost identical fashion to their first title success of 1952. Carol Watson, the shooter who barely got a touch in last years Final when playing for Portsmouth, did the damage this time. She had two chances in a generally dull game, and took them both with brilliance to undo a Liverpool side who dominated the second half.

Before bat off, Cheshire coach, Patricia Lucius had the dilemma of sticking with the Semi-Final line up, which included the teenager, Diana Armitage at Sweeper in place of Rosemary Vaughan who missed the Quarter-Final with a knock. The selection gamble paid off against Glasgow in the Semi, but Lucius decided she needed her strongest possible line up to meet Liverpool, recalling Vaughan. It would prove a pivotal decision as the twenty-three year old had a fantastic game for the Cats.

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Hazel Bray had no such concerns as the Liverbirds reported a clean bill of health to court a side where only the veteran, Audrey O'Neill was appearing in her first Final, while goalie, Janet Horsbrough and Sweeper, Emma Keogh-Sim were appearing in a record fourth Final. A 4-0 mauling of the Cats back in September set the Liverbirds up as clear favourites before Bat off at Earls Court in front of 10,000 spectators with millions watching on Television live. 

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The early stages created the usual tentative prodding's that go with any game of this magnitude as the fear of making a mistake overtook players usually capable of brilliance. For Nancy Berlin it was to be only a brief experience as she signalled to the bench for treatment barely two minutes into the contest. The American soldiered on for another couple of minutes to no avail, having to go off with a twisted a muscle in her lower back. Sixteen year old Heather Allen was thrust into the spotlight as the only out and out Sweeper on the bench. The youngster was far from overawed. It was the only major talking point of an otherwise eventless first half where neither goalie was troubled until a minute before the interval. Both sides appeared to have settled for going in at the break scoreless when Cheshire made an unexpected breakthrough. Allan was set off down the left of court and swung in a tantalising effort for Sloane who was inches away from connecting with a volley right in front of goal. Dudley picked up the scraps, sending it back in for Watson to turn and hit past Horsbrough to open the scoring.

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A goal down and having barely issued a threat, Liverpool could hardly be any worse in the second half. A response was expected and whatever Hazel Bray said at the break, it brought instant dividends. A free hit two minutes into the third quarter gave Joan Lenore a clear sight of goal and a first good save from Jenny Tresillian. That was to prove just a delay as O'Neill and Kehoe-Sim combined to set up Jellicoe to smash an equaliser past the Cheshire netminder to level.

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The Liverbirds began to dominate, but found Rosemary Vaughan in brilliant form to repeatedly break up their attacks, but as limbs began to tire going into the final quarter, Liverpool's pressure began finding further openings. Jellicoe was given far too much time to hit a shot straight at Tresillian before the Cheshire goalie made a brilliant save to deny Kehoe-Sim as the game moved into next goal wins time. With extra time looming, a tired Sabrina Kaye mishit a pass and laid on a great chance for Constance Kidd only for the defender to shoot hastily at the keeper.​

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With Liverpool now starting to show more urgency, the dying minutes allowed the game to get stretched enough to give Cheshire the chance to break out on the counter. Allen's shot was blocked by Molloy before Dudley and Kydd clashed, The ball was swept back in to Watson who smashed in a winner with barely two minutes left on the clock. Protests by Kydd that she was fouled were half hearted 

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A sinking feeling of Deja Vous must have swept over the Liverpool players, having gone done six years ago to a goal in the dying seconds, Cheshire did it again with a minute to spare. And with that, Cheshire became the first team to win the title twice, against the same opponent in very similar circumstances.