Somerset League Premier Division
Swans 32, Hovelands 48

GALMINGTON’S Hovelands travelled to Wells to play Somerset Premier opponents Swans and, after taking a while to settle on the unfamiliar outside court, they held a 13-12 advantage at the end of the first quarter. 

The visitors then took control of the match, with Jess Jeffrey dominant in mid-court, quickly turning defence into attack, and they pulled away to reach half time with a 26-17 lead. 

Hovelands extended that to 36-23 in the third period before moving on to wrap up a comfortable 48-32 victory, thereby confirming Swans’ relegation to Division 1 next season.

Division 3
Queensway 53, Minstrels 21

IN Division 3, the already promoted Queensway enjoyed a comprehensive home victory against Minstrels. 

Queensway opened up a 10-5 first-quarter lead and then, with Lucy Hemmings shooting superbly, stretched their advantage to 27-9 at half time. 

Minstrels were simply unable to cope with Queensway’s excellent all-round netball, as the Galmington team continued their fine form by commanding all areas of the court, eventually winning the match 53-21. 

Division 4
Canons 40, Newbarn 21

A YOUNG Newbarn team faced Canons in Wells in Division 4 of the Somerset League and their experienced opponents proved too powerful. 

Trailing 11-3 after the initial period, Newbarn did well to hold Canons to a 17-8 half-time lead. 

But Canons then pulled away to end the third quarter with a 29-14 advantage. 

Undeterred, Newbarn – for whom Ella Silsby was impressive – battled hard in the final period to secure an invaluable bonus point despite going down 40-21. 

Division 4
Mercury 54, Comeytrowe 27

IN the same division, Comeytrowe travelled to Bridgwater to play Mercury, and they had to start the match with only five players after some members of the team were delayed. 

Understandably 16-5 down at the first break, Comeytrowe – now restored to a full complement – matched Mercury in the second quarter but could not reduce the deficit and were still 26-15 behind at half time. 

Unfortunately Comeytrowe, most of whom were youngsters, began to tire in the second half and, although they gave their all throughout the match, they eventually succumbed to a 54-27 defeat.

Somerset League Premier Division
Vivary 37, Gems 48 

VIVARY, sponsored by Shine Hair Management, lost to Sydenham’s Gems in a Premier Division clash. 

With a changed starting seven, Vivary got off to a good start and opened up a slight lead at the end of the first quarter (13-10). 

Some very strong defence from Gems made it difficult for Vivary to make transitions, and several changes were made at half-time. 

Vivary went into the third quarter 34-30 down, with not much to choose between the teams. 

But Gems came out stronger in the final quarter and ran away with the win, the scoreline not really reflecting the closeness of the game. 

Player of the match (POM): Susie Marsh. The squad: GS Fee Grammer, GA Emily Tong, WA Faye Symons/Susie Marsh/Freya Bryant, C Susie Marsh/D’Arcy Rowlands, WD Lauren Knight/Lauren Griffiths, GD Lauren Griffiths/Ashlee Dale, GK Gracie Stevens.

Division 1
Tone 64, Vipers 14

TONE, sponsored by Ian Hunt Builders, won emphatically against Paulton’s Vipers. 

Despite the loss of their captain Nicole Smith to injury, Tone were determined to maintain their push for promotion.

They opened up an early lead (16-3), extended that to 35-6 at half time, and in the second half pulled further clear to 64-14. 

POM: Lucy Monk. The squad: GS Vicki Cornish, GA Amy Lewis, WA Freya Bryant, C D’Arcy Rowlands, WD Kim May, GD Lauren Griffiths/Ashlee Dale, GK Lucy Monk. 

Division 1
Monmouth 48, Sapphires 53

Monmouth, sponsored by Granite Transformations, lost out to Sydenham’s Sapphires. 

Monmouth started well, and with great defence and feeding into the circle they took an early 17-14 lead – and they stretched their advantage to five in the second quarter. 

Sapphires fought back with accurate shooting and turned the score in their favour, before repelling a Monmouth fightback to win.

POMs: Melissa Cleverly and Clara Higginson. The squad: GS Helen Lucas, GA Leila Aladin, WA Rachel Morgan, C Clara Higginson/Faye Symons, WD Andrea Dobson/Clara Higginson, GD Amy Toole/Ashlee Dale, GK Melissa Cleverly.  

Division 3
Priory 45, Rubies 38

PRIORY, sponsored by Matt Durbin Associates, beat Sydenham’s Rubies in the third division. 

Priory started with confidence but were 21-18 adrift at half time.

They dug deep in the third quarter and continued to work hard, reducing the deficit to just one goal.

A gritty Priory team turned the score around in a thrilling finale. 

POM: Zoe Stacey. The squad: GS Zoe Stacey, GA Lucy Cox, WA Josie Cross, C Becca Willy, WD Ruth Thompson, GD Linda Holder, GK Helena Desave. 

Division 4
Tudor 44, Emeralds 30

TUDOR beat Sydenham’s Emeralds by a 14-goal margin.

A slow start from Tudor saw Emeralds take an early lead, but Tudor hit back to go in 14-13 up at halfway.

Tudor made some changes for the third quarter to add defensive pressure and their interceptions helped to increase their lead to 29-20. 

The defence continued working well, and smooth feeding into the shooting circle secured them another 15 goals and the victory. 

POM: Tanya Binding. The squad: GS Emma Burns/Tanya Binding, GA Sophie Bond, WA Jo Avison, C Louise Frost, WD Trish Hutchinson/Siobhan Cleverly, GD Mel Reynolds/Trish Hutchinson, GK Tanya Binding/Mel Reynolds.