NETBALL: Galmington Hovelands draw thriller with Sydenham Gems

GALMINGTON headed to Bideford this weekend, expecting a tough encounter.

The home side started strongly, building an early lead which they were able to maintain throughout.

It was a battling performance from the visitors, with Meg Conabeare and Becky Squire putting in superb displays.

Player of the match: Becky Squire; opposition’s POM: Meg Conabeare

Regional League 3 South
Hovelands 48, Gems 48

GALMINGTON Hovelands took on Sydenham Gems at Taunton Vale on Sunday, and the match went right down to the wire.

The hosts made a confident start, taking the first quarter 16-11, but Gems fought back to lead 25-23 at half-time.

Hovelands made defensive changes which disrupted the visitors’ attack, while Nicki Berzina slotted crucial goals at the other end to take her side into a 37-36 advantage.

The final quarter was always going to be a nervy affair; Hovelands moved four goals ahead but Gems roared back to lead by one.

The hard-working Leila Aladin levelled it up with seconds to play and it finished honours even.

POM: Nicki Berzina; OPOM: Leila Aladin; sponsor: Joseph Woods Builders

Somerset Division 1
Robins 47, Parkfield 52

PARKFIELD travelled to Bruton to face the Robins, coping well with Saturday’s high winds and a number of new players integrating into the team.

Having been three goals behind after the first quarter, Parkfield rallied to lead by two, only to fall one behind going into the final quarter.

There they rallied impressively as a team, with Evie Tatterton’s accurate shooting leading them to a five-goal margin of victory.

POM: Evie Tatterton; sponsor: eat the bird

Somerset Division 3
Doves 17, Comeytrowe 37

DIVISION 3 leaders Comeytrowe also set off for Bruton and came home with a 20-goal win over Doves.

They moved into a first-quarter lead of 8-4 and found their rhythm on the way to a 17-5 half-time advantage.

That was extended to 27-14 in the third quarter, allowing them to cruise to victory in the final period of play.

POM: Jacqui Manning; OPOM: Freyja Harding; sponsor: The Washing Machine Company

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Regional League 3 South
Titans Thunder 34, Vivary 39

TAUNTON Vivary moved up to third place in Regional League 3 South with a five-goal win away to Titans Thunder on Sunday.

The hosts began better, Vivary struggling to find their rhythm, and they took their time to adapt to the defensive pressure - trailing 21-20 at half-time.

There was not much between the teams after the interval but, steadily, the visitors stepped up their game, with vital turnovers and confident shooting.

Vivary dug deep in the final quarter to take the win, 39-34.

Player of the match: Lauren Knight; opposition’s POM: Lauren Wilkinson; squad: Emily Tong, Lauren Wilkinson, Susie Marsh, Faye Symons, Meg Palmer, Lauren-Jade Griffiths, Amelia Watson, Lauren Knight, Lucy Jones, Jade Barnett, Ruby Porter; sponsor: Shine Hair Management

Somerset Premier Division
Tone 55, Abbey 39

SATURDAY saw Tone make an uncharacteristically slow start and Tor Abbey took advantage, scoring two unanswered goals.

However, the hosts then found their flow and took a lead of 15-8 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Tone worked hard to maintain the ball down the court with great movement in and around the circle, extending their lead to 27-17.

Tone’s third quarter was their best 15 minutes of netball, with great interceptions which came smoothly down the court and were effortlessly converted to make the score 45-28.

The home side then worked hard during the more evenly-matched final quarter, to seal another win.

POM & OPOM: Ruby Porter; squad: GS Fee Grammer, GA Jade Barnett, WA Ruby Porter, C Hannah Robins, WD Kim Tong, GD Becky Lucas/Lauren Knight, GK Lucy Monk/Becky Lucas; sponsor: The Kings Arms

MONMOUTH: Denise Evely, Kate Durbin, Amy McGregor, Erin Humphris, Hannah Cork, Vicki Cornish, Kim Radford.

Somerset Premier Division
Monmouth 35, Sharks 48

MONMOUTH lost 48-35 to Stanchester’s Sharks in a game of two halves.

The Taunton team made a slow start and ended the first quarter trailing 16-3.

After a stern talking to, Monmouth came out fighting in the second quarter with some good passages of play, ending the quarter 31-11 behind.

The third quarter saw Monmouth play the game they knew they are capable of; great play throughout the court, defending and attacking well, winning the quarter to close the gap (42-24).

A fantastic team effort saw the hosts score almost double Sharks’ score in the quarter, but the damage done earlier prevented them catching up.

POM: Denise Evely; OPOM: Kim Radford; squad: GS Vicki Cornish/Hannah Cork, GA Hannah Cork/Vicki Cornish, WA Kate Durbin, C Erin Humphris/Kim Radford, WD Kim Radford/Erin Humphris, GD Amy McGregor, GK Denise Evely; sponsor: Wilkie May & Tuckwood

Somerset Division 2
Priory 22, Tudor 23

PRIORY and Tudor met in an inter-club fixture on Saturday, Tudor sneaking the win by one goal.

The match began intensely, with both teams playing well, and the first quarter ended 6-6.

Priory managed to gain a slight lead at the end of the first half (11-10), continued to lead after the third quarter, but strong shooting from Tudor saw them come back to take the win.

Priory POMs: Gugu Mlotshwa & Ellie Tolman; OPOM: Andrea Dobson; Tudor POM: Becca Holder; OPOM: Charlotte O’Leary; Priory squad: GS Sophie Bond, GA Zoe Stacey, WA Andrea Dobson, C Sarah Hughes, WD Gugu Mlotshwa, GD Ellie Tolman, GK Verity Ward; Tudor squad: GS Lucy Hird, GA Charlotte Owen, WA Becca Holder, C Charlotte O’Leary, WD Libby Binding, GD Ria Binding, GK Tanya Binding; Priory sponsor: Matt Durbin Associates; Tudor sponsor: Marked Skin

Somerset Division 2
Blackdown 52, Chalice 27

BLACKDOWN were too good for Tor’s Chalice, winning 52-27.

The home side came out fighting from the outset, with some amazing defensive work from Rhonda, Gracie and Victoria to take an early lead of 15-7.

The second quarter was quite tight, with Chalice showing some strong defence, but Blackdown held strong and, with some excellent interceptions, were able to increase their lead to 28-12 at half-time.

Blackdown’s attackers were on top form in the third quarter, converting very well to stretch the lead to 42-19.

The final quarter saw the intensity of the game rise with a last push from Chalice, but the home defence held strong, ensuring a high number of turnovers.

POM: Victoria Saban; OPOM: Hanna Jarvis; squad: GS Lucy Cox, GA Hanna Jarvis, WA Kate Stubbins, C Louise Frost, WD Victoria Saban, GD Gracie Stevens, GK Rhonda Robins; sponsor: Mortgage Select Ltd

Somerset Division 3
Brendon 17, Luna 52

BRENDON played Bridgwater’s Luna in Division 3 and were beaten 52-17.

POM & OPOM: Jess Larkman; sponsor: Bridgwater & Taunton College