GALMINGTON club side Hovelands kept alive their hopes of retaining their Somerset League Premier Division title but dented their opponents’ ambitions with an excellent win over Knights in Glastonbury on Saturday.

Hovelands had needed extra time in their recent cup victory over Knights but were soon in charge in this league fixture taking a 14-8 first quarter lead.

Becky Feetenby was in superb form for Hovelands at wing defence taking numerous interceptions as the visitors increased their advantage to 26-18 at half-time.

Knights pressed hard in the third quarter but their efforts were in vain as Hovelands went into the final quarter still 38-29 ahead and then withstood the expected Knights fight back to record a fine win by 46 goals to 39.

Claremont were involved in a relegation battle with Swans at Wells and, although the initial quarter was evenly contested, they found themselves 14-7 behind.

After Swans had increased their lead to 23-13 at the halfway point, Claremont began to close the deficit with Michelle Ley impressive at wing attack but Swans rallied to extend their lead to 33-21.

The Wells side were able to control the final period and ran out winners by 43 goals to 27.

In Division 1 Parkfield suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of an experienced Knaves team in Glastonbury. Knaves dominated from the outset taking a 13-3 first quarter lead and they stretched this to 25-9 at half-time despite the excellent efforts of Anthea Kerslake, playing out of position at goalkeeper.

Parkfield were unable to make any impression on the strong Knaves side in the second half and were eventually defeated by 60 goals to 21.

Queensway also travelled to Glastonbury to play Division 2 opponents Barons and, after even early exchanges, trailed 14-10 after the first period.

Barons pulled further ahead to lead 24-13 at half-time but Queensway, for whom Heidi Kohlman at centre and Helen Hunter at wing attack both had fine matches, reduced the arrears to 32-23 at the end of the next quarter.

They put pressure on in the last quarter but Barons held firm to win by 41 goals to 30.