HOVELANDS kept a Somerset league and cup double within their grasp with a Premier Division victory over Paulton’s Tomahawks at the Vale.

However, they were made to fight hard by a determined Tomahawks team who did well in the first quarter to keep Hovelands down to a 15-13 lead.

Hovelands began to pull away in the next period but they were still unable to open up a significant gap and there was still much to be done at half-time when they led 30-24.

It was the third quarter that proved decisive as Danni Cross-Henley’s excellent work in defence blunted the visiting attack, allowing Hovelands to extend their advantage to 47-31.

To their credit Tomahawks came back strongly in the final period but Hovelands had plenty in hand to win 55-47.

Hovelands’ season could well rest on the next two weekends. They play Gems in the Knock Out Cup final at the Vale on Saturday and then travel to Sherborne to face league title rivals Babylon the following week.

Claremont made the trip to Midsomer Norton to play their closest Division One challengers Harlequins and a magnificent start saw them build an imposing 15-4 lead.

Harlequins managed to recover from this early setback and an even second period ended with Hovelands still 26-15 ahead.

The home team were beginning to make inroads into the deficit, which was down to just six goals at one stage during the third quarter, but Claremont were able to take control again to go into the last period 36-26 ahead.

Harlequins needed to start the final quarter well but it was Claremont, for whom centre Jaz Wilson was superb throughout, who quickly pulled away and went on to record an impressive 51-33 victory.

In the same division Parkfield continued their recent good form with an excellent win over Abbey in Glastonbury.

A tight first period saw Parkfield hold a 9-8 lead and little changed in the second quarter as half-time arrived with Parkfield just 18-16 in front.

Accurate shooting from Holly Byrne enabled her side to retain their lead as they went into the final period with a narrow 31-28 lead before excellent defending from Ffion Watkins and Michelle Ley prevented any chance of Abbey overturning the score as Parkfield went on to a deserved 41-34 win.

In Division Two Queensway were level with Avalon at 11-11 after the initial period and were still very much in the contest despite trailing by five goals at half-time.

Unfortunately the experienced Avalon team dominated the next quarter to open up a 35-21 lead. Queensway then played their best netball of the day, with Alice Alger-Green impressive at wing attack, but the damage had been done and their efforts went unrewarded with a 43-37 defeat.

Newbarn were also in Glastonbury and they continued their fine form with a comfortable win over Tor in Division Three.

They played consistently well as a team throughout the match with Emily Leeming particularly strong in defence and were convincing winners by 41 goals to 20.

In the same division Comeytrowe cemented their place in the top half of the table with a good win over Arrows from Paulton.

Comeytrowe dominated the contest from the outset and, with Lucy Hunt having a fine match, were worthy 48-20 winners.