NETBALL: Taunton and Galmington teams put in strong performances

VIVARY hosted top-of-the-table Exeter in their final home match of the season.

They started well and were level with Exeter for the first few minutes before falling slightly behind (10-14) before entering the second half 227-20 down.

A new-look attack for Vivary took to the court for the third quarter which Exeter dominated and pulled away (28-45).

Despite Vivary fighting hard in the final quarter and winning the quarter by one goal, Exeter’s early lead consolidated their win with Vivary taking away a well-deserved point.

Player of the match was Lauren Knight; opposition's POM was Leila Aladin. The squad: Fee Grammer, Emily Tong, Becca Holder, Leila Aladin, Becky Lucas, Freya Bryant, Faye Symons, Meg Palmer, Lauren Knight, Lauren-Jade Griffiths, Gracie Stevens. Sponsored by Shine Hair Management.

Somerset Division 1
Monmouth 44, Sydenham Sapphires 59

MONMOUTH started off slowly, allowing Sapphires to take a 16-6 lead.

Their lead was extended by half-time to 29-17 but Monmouth kept their heads high and scored more goals than Sapphires in the third, ending up 43-33 down.

Monmouth put all out in the last quarter trying to take the lead but unfortunately didn’t quite achieve it.

POMs were Ria Binding and Tina Follett. The squad: GS Helen Lucas, Jade Barnett/Lauren Wilkinson, WA Rebecca Willy, C Kim Radford, WD Tina Follett, GD Ria Binding/Tejah Mossman, GK Melissa Cleverly. Sponsored by Granite Transformations.

Somerset Division 1
Quantock 52, Paulton Vipers 50

A WELL-FOUGHT first quarter saw Quantock lead by three but Vipers battled back to lead by two at half-time.

Quantock hit back came back with fight and determination and great accuracy of shooting to start pulling away (40-32).

They continued to play their best netball despite Vipers bringing back the score to within two in a tense finish.

POM was Charlotte Denman. The squad: GS Lauren Wilkinson, GA Charlotte Denman, WA Rachel Morgan, C Kate Durbin, WD Andrea Dobson, GD Tejah Mossman, GK Sharlie White. Sponsored by Mecca Bingo.

Somerset Division 2
Keinton Kites 39, Priory 36

PRIORY came out strong with the defensive combination of Abbey (WD), Amy (GD) and Becky (GK) and led 12-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Kites’ defence worked hard managing to pull back the difference and end the second quarter ahead (19-20).

And they pulled away in the third before an injury forced a reshuffle which put Becky at GA. She shot an impressive 100 per cent but it was not quite enough to claim the win.

POM was Amy McGregor. The squad: GS Lucy Cox, GA Maisie Reynolds/Becky Lucas, WA Mel Reynolds, C Sarah Hughes, WD Abbey Teape, GD Amy McGregor, GK Becky Lucas/Linda Holder.

Somerset Division 3
Tudor 53, Sydenham Emeralds 27

TUDOR got off to a flying start in the first quarter with excellent passing down the court with Tudor taking an early lead (19-5) and set the trend.

Emeralds picked up their game and went on the attack, however Tudor was able to maintain their excellent defence and attack to pull further ahead.

In the final quarter, Tudor ensured there was no coming back for the visitors.

POM was Zoe Stacey. The squad: GS Zoe Stacey, GA Sophie Bond, WA Sian Blake, C Louise Frost, WD Ally Gabell, GD Becky Lucas, GK Rhonda Robins.

Congratulations to Lauren Knight who umpired her first Somerset League game after passing her Into Officiating course!

Somerset Division 3
Brendon 14, Tor Thorns 46

BRENDON started slowly with Thorns taking a big early lead (2-11).

However, each quarter they managed to slowly pull back and doubled their score by the last quarter from seven to 14.

POM was Libby Binding. The squad: GS Beth Lacy-Rigby, GA Felicity Lukacs, WA Millie Jay, C Charlotte O’Leary, WD Libby Binding, GD Trish Hutchinson, GK Emma Burns.

TAUNTON Under-16s also took to the court against Exeter, losing 55-45 in a very competitive match.

Player of the match: Tejah Mossman.

***

TRIUMPHANT: Galmington side Queensway.

South West Regional League 1
Galmington 44, Hucclecote Stars 49

IT was quite the fixture at Vale for Galmington as they hosted Hucclecote Stars, from Gloucestershire.

Hucclecote came out of the blocks hard, catching Galmington off guard and scoring five with no reply.

Young GS Jordyn Baker took to the court in the second quarter and her display saw her miss just one shot, as Galmington went in a goal down.

The game ebbed and flowed with player of the match and captain Emma McCormack battling at WD to give her team possession.

Galmington drew level, however the physicality of the game and the opposition’s sensational GA proved too much, despite the relentless efforts of GA Megan Consbeare.

Sponsored by Admiral School of Motoring.

South West Regional League 2
Trident 65, Jupiter 38

IT was a bad day at the office for Trident’s captain and GK Sharon Chester who ended up in A&E after sustaining an injury late in the first quarter.

However, it was a great day for Trident overall as they overcame local Regional League side Jupiter of Bridgwater.

The vacant GK position was ably filled by Hoveland’s Polly Ridgway, who combined superbly with young GD Jazmin Chester and WD Laura Preece.

Together with the opposition’s player of the match Nicola Ferguson at C, the might of Trident’s defence was too much for Jupiter.

GS Jordyn Baker shone once again, taking the player of the match award.

Sponsored by Joseph Woods Builders.

Somerset Premier Division
Hovelands 76, Saturn 15

HOVELANDS eclipsed Saturn throughout, using the space to launch relentless attacks.

Player of the match was Nicki Berzina.

The emphatic victory keeps Hovelands out front in the chase for the title.

Sponsored by PW Pepperell & Son.

Somerset Premier Division
Newton 49, Claremont 42

HAVING beaten Newton in the Cup but lost to them in the league, this was always going to be a tall order.

With players unavailable, the cavalry were called in in the form of under-16 rising stars Daisy West and Ruby Cooney.

Claremont worked hard but found themselves down, then level and then down again.

Player of the match was Daisy West, who linked well with GA Hannah Setter.

Sponsored by Somerset County Sports.

Somerset Division 1
Parkfield 52, Neptune 29

IT was a jubilant day for Parkfield as they beat Bridgwater’s Neptune.

After a series of unwanted score lines they took to the court hungry for a win.

Making an impression were under-16 shooter Jess Bullock, WA Rachelle Billington, C Kerry Quirk, under-16 WD Ella Silsby and under-14 Hannah Squire.

GK Anna Kennedy was superb, as was Evie Tatterton.

Sponsored by eat the bird.

Somerset Division 2
Queensway 49, Venus 27

QUEENSWAY all but skipped off the court after clinching a much-deserved and highly-anticipated win.

Under-16 Eve Newman was unstoppable at GD, turning over ball and disrupting the opposition’s attack with interception after interception.

Sponsored by One Day Like This.

Somerset Division 3
Newbarn 53, Mars 29

NEWBARN continued their winning streak over Mars.

Under-16 Millie Beck made her senior league debut; under-14 Paige Hadley impressed; GS Helen Pattinson and Amelia Davies combined well; and captain Kelly Nicholls, Kerry Nelson and Lisa Manley used their experience to great effect.

But it was Hadley who was player of the match.

Sponsored by Being Your Best.