Bridgwater and Sydenham netball round-up (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Bridgwater and Sydenham netball round-up

8:00am Thursday 7th March 2013 in Sport

SYDENHAM Gems toppled league leaders Jupiter 52-47 in a tense Somerset Premier Division derby clash.

Gems were determined to start the game strongly, and went out hard from the first whistle.

Strong defending from Becky Cowley and Lisa Durant forced Gems to play the ball around the circle, but Justine Pearn and Hannah Clapp were on fine form to give them a 33-24 half time lead.

Jupiter’s shooters Paige Davey and Sammy Kemmish showed great strength during the final quarter with well placed shots, helping to reduce the deficit, but Gems showed their depth and determination to hold on.

Somerset Division 1
Neptune 42, Rubies 56

NEPTUNE got off to a slow start and this resulted in the first quarter ending 16-8 to Rubies.

The teams were fairly evenly matched in the second quarter, which saw Neptune draw back slightly, finishing 22-27.

However, the Rubies goal shooter shot accurately from anywhere in the circle and even the tight defence of Morgan Middleton and Katie Chedzey couldn’t stop the flow of goals as Neptune fell to defeat.

Somerset Division 2
Venus 46, Knaves 49

VENUS were slow out of the blocks against the visitors and were guilty of unforced errors in all areas of the court.

Despite a more focused approach in the second quarter, the home side found it hard to stop Knaves’ progress down the court and the accuracy of their goal shoot was hard to counter.

Venus had their moments, as the shooting team of Lianne Fothergill (GS) and goal attack, Karis Holleron doubled their tally of the previous quarter.

A solid final quarter from Coleen Bartlett (GK) and goal defence Saskia Middleton kept Knaves to their lowest quarter score, while Venus countered with their highest to earn two valuable points.

Somerset Division 2
Mars 56, Emeralds 26

IT took the first quarter for Mars to settle into the game, finishing four goals ahead, and in the second they started to dominate with some great turnovers from defence, allowing goal shooter Paige Langdon and goal attack Sarah Perry to score some excellent goals.

By the end of the third quarter Mars were 25 goals ahead and this was too much work for Emeralds to change the game.

Somerset Division 3
Mercury 46, Garnets 29

CAPTAIN Elaine Bartlett (WA) led from the front for Mercury in this local derby and her effort in attack was well supported by accurate shooting from Morganne Dunn (GS) and goal attack Norah Lewis.

A change of players at half time was effective, as centre Lilly Wicks kept centre passes safe and Lucy Kyte revealed a hidden talent for shooting.

The defensive unit of Kate Jay (GK), Chloe Berry (GD) and wing defence Bex Dunn remained solid to the end.

Somerset Division 1
Sapphires 34, Millfield 37

SAPPHIRES took to the court hoping to end Millfield’s three season winning streak over them.

The game was closely contested throughout and although Sapphires started well the first quarter ended 9-7 to Millfield.

In the second quarter Sapphires upped their game and great play down the court from Katie Ball and Laura Coombes, finished off with accurate shooting from Abi Ridler and Hannah Read meant the deficit was just one goal at half time.

Sapphires entered the final quarter just one goal down and determined to fight to the end but their hosts held on.