NETBALL: Galmington beaten by Almondsbury in South West Regional League clash

IT was a tough 60 minutes out on court for Galmington on Saturday morning as they hosted Almondsbury in their rearranged league fixture.

This game had it all: physicality, skill, a downward spiral, a massive comeback, cautions, warnings and tremendous support!

It saw Trident’s Nicky Towell play her first Regional League 1 game in nine years; Hovelands’ Hannah Symes play up two teams; and 16-year-old Bea Renyard make her Regional League debut.

However, it was Galmington regular Helen Jones who stole the player of the match (and that of the opposition) for her clean, determined and effective performance at GK/GD.

Galmington found themselves 12 goals down at one point in the third quarter but, with the help of coach Carol Manley and a scattering of dedicated Galmington Netball Club fans cheering them on, managed to storm the second half to win the final 30 minutes 24-19.

That meant they only just lost out by two goals as the final whistle blew.

The result leaves Galmington comfortably in mid-table.

Captain Emma McCormack said: “On behalf of Galmington, I would like to thank everyone for their support today.

“The crowd really lifted us and got so behind us. It made a huge difference to us so the team are so grateful for you giving up your time to come and watch and cheer.”

Sponsor: Admiral School of Motoring

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Somerset Division 2
Paulton Spears 24, Taunton Priory 20

THE weather was not kind and both sides struggled in the first quarter, with the tally ending at 4-4.

Spears edged ahead in the second quarter (10-8) but Priory made some small changes in the third quarter with Maisie Reynolds moving to GS and Lucy Cox to GA.

This helped them claw back the deficit to end the third quarter finely balanced at 16-16.

Spears made changes in the final quarter and Priory, despite their best efforts, unfortunately saw the game slip away from them.

Player of the match: Linda Holder; squad: GS Lucy Cox, GA Maisie Reynolds, WA Mel Reynolds, C Louise Frost, WD Andrea Dobson, GD Amy McGregor, GK Linda Holder; sponsor: Matt Durbin Associates

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TAUNTON School’s Under-14 netball team: back row (from left) - Mya Hounsell, Esme Hallworth, Kara Klimczak-Gange, Leila Fisher, Lucy Beresford-Knight, Hetty James; front row - Eloise Taylor, Verity Winsor, Matilda Clarke, Leonie Biney, Chloe Sanderson.

ELEVEN Taunton School netballers recently travelled to Welwyn Garden City for the national schools netball finals to compete in the Under-14 group.

It is the first time that an Under-14 team at Taunton School have reached the national finals, and only the fourth time any team at the school has.

Unfortunately the weather was doing its worst, with freezing temperatures and gale force winds.

The Taunton team completed the day winning four, drawing two and losing four (two of which were by just one goal).

They finished a respectable seventh in the group, being placed equal 13th in the country.

Taunton School’s head of netball Lisa Manley said: “It was a great achievement to reach the national finals, and all the girls should be extremely proud of themselves.”