NETBALL: Title-chasing Poole Aquarians too strong for Galmington

GALMINGTON made the long trip to Bournemouth to play title-chasing Poole Aquarians, and got off to the worst possible start as they struggled to cope with Aquarians’ physical game in what was to prove a bruising encounter.

Galmington found themselves trailing 19-5 after the first quarter but regrouped and adopted a positive fast flowing game which counteracted the Aquarians’ tactics well.

They managed to close the gap slightly but were still 30-17 behind at half-time.

Although the Dorset team increased their lead to 44-27 in the third quarter, Galmington, for whom wing attack Arnie Brown was excellent throughout, again matched the home side in the final period but were left to rue that first quarter as they eventually went down 56-38.

This Sunday Galmington will look to bounce back as they face Exeter at home in a match that pits two mid-table sides against one another.

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Regional League Division 2
Trident 44, Pinehurst 56

TRIDENT travelled to Swindon to play Pinehurst with the bare minimum seven players as the squad was hit by illness.

Pinehurst began strongly to open up a 17-11 lead which they extended to 30-22 at half-time.

Unable to make changes the Trident team gave their all, with Jazz Wilson’s energy and non-stop running in mid-court reflecting the whole team performance.

Pinehurst were a well-drilled team though, and with the advantage of rotating their squad they resisted the pressure to secure a 56-44 victory.

Trident face another tough test this weekend as they welcome Whitchurch, who are currently second in the table ahead of Saturday’s match.

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Somerset League Premier Division
Newton 48, Hovelands 50

HOVELANDS took a while to settle, playing outside after winds damaged the Westfield dome, and were 13-10 behind after the first quarter.

However, with Lucy Low shooting superbly at goal attack, they turned the match around to lead 25-23 at half-time.

There was still plenty to do in an even contest and Hovelands still only had a two-goal lead as the match went into the final period.

They managed to open up a five goal lead in the last quarter and, although Newton came back well, Hovelands controlled the closing stages to win 50-48.

Hovelands are now without a game for the next two weekends, with their next league fixture coming on February 25 against Gems.

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Somerset League Division 1
Claremont 41, Wyndham 18

CLAREMONT remain in the mix to get back into the Premier Division after a comfortable win over Yeovil’s Wyndham.

League leaders Claremont controlled the match from the outset, quickly building a 13-5 lead which they stretched to 24-10 at half-time.

Wyndham were unable to find a way past Claremont’s goal keeper, Tilly Barker, who dominated the defence circle throughout the game, and Claremont went on to complete a comprehensive 41-18 victory.

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Somerset League Division 1
Abbey 54, Parkfield 18

PARKFIELD were up against a strong Abbey team in Street and were never allowed to settle.

Abbey commanded all areas of the court and opened up a 31-8 half-time lead.

It was only in the last period that Parkfield, for whom Michelle Ley and Emily Leeming both played well, managed to match their opponents but the game was long gone by then as Parkfield went down 54-18.

This weekend Parkfield have an away match against Sapphires.

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Somerset League Division 3
Aldon 29, Queensway 41

QUEENSWAY, continuing their promotion push, had the better of the early exchanges to build an 11-6 first quarter lead which they increased to 22-14 at half-time.

It was goal for goal in the next period but Queensway, for whom Kerry Quirk was outstanding in mid-court, quickly dashed any hopes of an Aldon comeback, eventually pulling away to claim an excellent 41-29 victory.

The team now have no league fixture until February 25, when their opponents will be Rubies.

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SLOW START: Taunton's Quantock fought back against Bruton Robins but fell just short.

Somerset County Premier Division
Vivary 49, Paulton Tomahawks 47

BOTH Taunton Vivary and Paulton Tomahawks had steady starts, matching each other almost goal for goal to make for an even first quarter, with Tomahawks leading by one goal.

The second quarter ended all square with both teams bringing the ball smoothly down the court.

The third quarter was very strong for Vivary, who scored several unanswered goals which, combined with some brilliant interceptions down the court, saw them take the lead 40-34.

Tomahawks came out fighting in the final quarter, but some great feeds into their shooting circle and strong defence from Vivary made sure they held onto their well-earned lead.

Player of the match: Lauren Knight.

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Somerset County Division 1
Monmouth 56, Paulton Vipers 31

AFTER losing to Vipers by one last time they met, Monmouth were keen to make amends and started strongly.

In the first quarter they applied pressure from the onset and led from the first goal, finishing it 13-8 ahead.

After a strong second quarter, Monmouth increased their pressure in the third with great teamwork forcing errors from Vipers (44-24).

The final quarter saw more of the same from Monmouth who continued to dominate the game and were rewarded with a well-deserved victory.

Player of the match: Clara Higginson.

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Somerset County Division 2
Quantock 38, Bruton Robins 43

AN unsettled start saw Robins take an early lead, but Quantock scored six unanswered goals to draw level.

Robins fought back and extended their lead to five goals, but again Quantock continued fighting in the third quarter to reduce the deficit to four.

With it all still to play for in the final quarter, Quantock dug deep and levelled the score once again.

An injury to GS Maisie, however, caused Quantock to lose their rhythm and consequently the match, despite a good fight.

Player of the match: Kim Radford.

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Somerset County Division 3
Priory 37, Paulton Spears 30

PRIORY started with confidence but Spears earned a very slight 12-11 lead.

The second quarter was similar but, thanks to a strong defence, Priory managed to edge ahead 19-18.

Priory dug deep and worked defensively to interrupt Spears’ flow and pulled away, opening up a 29-20 lead.

The final quarter saw grit and determination from Spears that was matched equally by Priory who held their nerve in an exciting last quarter to register their win.

Player of the match: Ria Binding.

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Somerset County Division 4
Tudor 30, Paulton Arrows 19

TUDOR struggled to settle in the first quarter which ended 5-5.

Tudor made some changes to their squad and played a strong third quarter as they established a 21-13 lead.

Arrows then scored several unanswered goals but this did not deter Tudor who fought back hard to win.

Player of the match: Tanya Binding.