GALMINGTON and Trident both had tough regional league assignments at the weekend.

Galmington made the long trip to Poole to play unbeaten Aquarians while Trident were up against Carol Anne who were lying comfortably in second place in Division Two having only been beaten once this season.

Galmington made a positive start against Aquarians, more than matching the runaway league leaders and, with goal attack Laura Dyke in outstanding form, they led 13-11 after the first quarter.

As expected Aquarians responded well in the next period and turned the match around to lead 25-23 at half-time.

Far from being overawed Galm-ington’s reply was immediate as they took the lead again before the talented Aquarians team came back again to take a three-goal lead into the last quarter.

Still Galmington battled back with a superb team performance and the result could still have gone either way as the game entered its final five minutes.

Unfortunately, Aquarians then pulled away to win a closely fought contest by a rather flattering margin of 51-43.

Trident also began well against Carol Anne at the Vale and there was little to choose between the sides in the first period after which Trident held a narrow 12-11 lead.

With goal shooter Polly Land in excellent form, taking full advantage of any opportunity to score, Trident extended their lead to 23-19 at half-time.

Carol Anne put Trident under immense pressure in the third quarter but, with Becki Manley controlling the centre court, Trident maintained their four-goal advantage as the game entered its last period.

Again Trident were put under tremendous pressure but again they withstood it as a team and held on for a deserved victory by 42 goals to 40.

In the Somerset League Premier Division leaders Hovelands took a while to adjust to playing on an outside court and trailed 9-8 to Swans in Wells after the first quarter.

However, having become acclimatised to the cold and windy conditions, they took control to open up a 20-15 half-time lead.

Hovelands full court defence in the second half proved effective and, with goal attack Nicky Towell again in fine form, they pulled away for a comfortable 44-31 win.

Four of Galmington’s other Somerset League teams were in action and all four were involved in extremely close matches which went down to the wire. Parkfield were in Wells playing Division One opponents Bishops and a low-scoring first half ended with Parkfield 13-8 behind.

Goalkeeper Abbie Barker was superb in defence only allowing Bishops to score four goals in the second half but Parkfield were unable to turn their own possession into goals and slipped to a disappointing 17-16 defeat.

In Division Two Queensway seemed destined for a convincing win in Paulton against Spears when they went nine goals ahead.

However, Spears gradually reduced the deficit but Queensway, for whom Rachel Darby was excellent in defence, held on for a 33-31 victory.

It was a very similar story for Newbarn in their Division Two match against Canons in Wells. Newbarn had the better of the early exchanges taking a 14-6 first quarter lead and, with Emily Leeming strong in defence, were still 22-16 ahead at half-time.

An experienced Canons team clawed their way back into the match and snatched an unlikely 34-33 win which was a little harsh on the Newbarn team.

Meanwhile Comeytrowe had a topsy-turvy match in Paulton against Arrows. Comeytrowe were a goal in front after the first period but fell a goal behind at half-time.

Despite only having six players Comeytrowe, for whom Sarah Hill had an impressive match, reversed the score to go one goal up again at the end of the third quarter and deservedly held on for a fine, if tense, 27-26 win.