NETBALL: Taunton and Galmington teams take to the court

VIVARY had a solid opening, winning the first quarter 14-10 and keeping the pressure on Jupiter throughout.

They extended their lead to 32-17 and, going into the final quarter, the hosts were 47-24 up. With good use of squad rotation, Vivary eventually enjoyed a comfortable win.

POM - Meg Palmer; OPOM - Lauren Knight; squad: Lauren Wilkinson, Nicole Smith, Emily Tong, Lauren Knight, Meg Palmer, Susie Marsh, Faye Symons, Amelia Watson, Mya Hounsell; sponsor: Shine Hair Management.

Somerset Premier Division
Tone 62, Stanchester Sharks 44

TONE had a fantastic first quarter with safe and strong passes all the way down the court and good control of the ball, giving them a lead of 17-6.

Sharks fought back in the second quarter but Tone remained focused to extend their lead.

They entered the final quarter 43-30 up and, with great man-on-man marking, enjoyed a comfortable win.

POM - Jade Barnett; OPOM - Fee Grammer; squad: GS Fee Grammer, GA Jade Barnett, WA Freya Bryant/Hannah Robins, C Hannah Robins/Kim Radford, WD Kim Tong, GD Nicole Smith, GK Becky Lucas; sponsor: The King’s Arms.

Somerset Premier Division
Monmouth 34, Tor Abbey 44

MONMOUTH went into this game knowing it was going to be difficult against an experienced team.

However, they were 12-7 up at the end of the first quarter before slipping to two down at the halfway stage.

Monmouth kept battling but trailed by four goals going into an exciting third quarter during which they equalised but fell behind once again.

The last quarter saw Monmouth still fighting for a win but, unfortunately, the score-line did not reflect the great play on court.

POM - Maisie Reynolds on her Premier debut; squad: Helen Lucas, Maisie Reynolds, Nicole Smith, Molly White, Kim Radford, Amy McGregor, Verity Ward; sponsor: Wilkie May and Tuckwood.

VINTAGE: Monmouth (from left): Maisie Reynolds, Amy McGregor, Molly White, Kim Radford, Verity Ward, Nicole Smith, Vicki Cornish, Helen Lucas. 

Somerset Division 1
Quantock 25, Tor Avalon 44

QUANTOCK played Tor’s Avalon in Division 1 but were beaten 25-44.

POM - Tina Follett; sponsor: Mecca Bingo.

Somerset Division 2
Priory 47, Walton 48

THE game started smoothly with Priory leading 14-13.

They extended their lead to 30-19 by half-time and, at the break, everyone was very positive.

However, Walton had rethought their tactics and pulled a few goals back to set up the final quarter.

Walton fought hard and scored a goal in the last minute to secure a narrow win.

POMs - Sophie Bond and Denise Evely; OPOM - Zoe Stacey; squad: Zoe Stacey, Sophie Bond, Andrea Dobson, Lauren Knight, Sarah Hughes, Gugu Mlotshwa, Denise Evely, Ellie Tolman; sponsor: Matt Durbin Associates.

Somerset Division 2
Blackdown 72, Wells Canons 19

BLACKDOWN didn’t let the wet and windy weather get the better of them, displaying a strong first quarter leading 17-7.

Lucy Cox quickly found her feet at GA, feeding into Becca Holder at GS.

Taking a 36-13 lead into the third quarter, Ali White’s interceptions enabled Blackdown continued to fight for every ball in the final quarter with the centre court working well to bring the ball down to the shooters.

POM - Rhonda Robins; OPOM - Tina Follett; squad: GS Becca Holder, GA Lucy Cox, WA Kate Stubbins, C Louise Frost, WD Tina Follett, GD Ali White, GK Rhonda Robins; sponsor: Mortgage Select.

Somerset Division 3
Tudor 28, Tor Chalice 48

TUDOR had a tough first quarter, trailing 4-15, however by the second quarter Tudor doubled their score after a series of turnovers and interceptions to go in at half-time 10-26.

They took to the court still trying their hardest but errors left them trailing 18-39 but managed to earn a well-deserved point for half of Chalice’s score.

POM - Libby Binding; squad: Tanya Binding, Becky Lucas, Ellie Murray, Maddy Russell, Ally Gabell, Charlotte O’Leary, Libby Binding, Kate Hine, Hayley Milne, Lauren Knight.

Somerset Division 3
Brendon 36, Tor Thorns 23

BRENDON began with a flying start with debutants Jess Larkman and Zoe Godber-Ford impressing.

They took an early 10-6 lead but Thorns fought back to go 16-15 up.

However, Brendon kept their heads in the game, ensuring passes were accurate and keeping possession to establish a 28-20 lead and pushed on in the final quarter for a fine win.

POM - Zoe Godber-Ford; squad: GS Jess Larkman/Beth Lacy-Rigby, GA Charlotte Owen, WA Mel Reynolds/Jess Larkman, C Ellie Murray, WD Emma Burns/Trish Hutchinson, GD Trish Hutchinson/Zoe Godber-Ford, GK Zoe Godber-Ford/Becky Lucas; sponsor: Bridgwater and Taunton College.

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REGIONAL League 1 side Galmington are still looking for their first win in the division this season, after losing 54-39 away to Aquarians on Sunday.

Trident were narrowly beaten at Babylon in Regional 2, as the hosts dominated the first half of the match.

The third quarter saw Trident storm back and even take the lead, but Babylon finished strongly to win.

Paige Pople and Jordyn Baker were joint Player of the Match winners.

And in Regional 3 South, Hovelands suffered a heavy defeat away to Cornwall Storm, 79-36.

They were blown away in the first quarter, before gradually finding their feet and frustrating their opponents.

Lisa Manley earned the POM award, as Hovelands showed great spirit against the likely title contenders.

In the Somerset League, Premier Division side Claremont came through an intense affair to retain their 100 per cent record.

Wyndham were seen off 47-44, with Lucy Low their POM.

Division 1 team Parkfield fought back from 14-7 down early on to draw 37-37 away to Hendford.

Some very effective defensive switches and an outstanding display by Jodie Reading ensured Parkfield came away with a share of the spoils.

In Division 2, Newbarn continued their fine form with a 45-36 triumph over Aldon.

They started brilliantly, leading by eight goals, only for the opposition to hit back.

It was the Galmington team who triumphed, though, with Carol Manning and Sarah Macaree joint POMs.

Also in that Division, Queensway enjoyed a 47-35 victory over Reckleford.

Queensway edged a close opening quarter, and led 29-14 at halfway.

They held firm to see out the win, led by POM Debbie Bere.

And Comeytrowe claimed a fifth win in Division 3, 35-25 over Summerhouse; POM - Jacqui Manning.