Sydenham Sapphires 57, Harlequins 27

SAPPHIRES started calmly against ex-premier division team Harlequins from Norton finishing the first quarter 10-9 up.

Great passing from Kelly Radford and Katie Ball into the circle allowed Nic Hale and Abi Ridler to make successful shots at goal and at half time they had stretched the lead to 25–13.

Good pressure from defensive players Emma-Jayne Brown, Rachel Lawrence and Beth Fella forced Harlequins to make errors, and the lead extended to 39-19 going into the final quarter which soon became 57-27 at full time.

Player of the match: Kelly Radford

Sydenham Rubies 50, Dukes 27

RUBIES started well with good consistent play in the first quarter to take a 13-8 lead.

Laura Coombes and Jo Bromme linked up well and Rubies were able to increase their lead to 23-16 at half time.

Rubies utilised the ball well, pulling further ahead 39-20 and in the final quarter Sandy Hocking, Debbie Chapman and Emily Hoare defended extremely well.

Centre Court Laura Coombes and Jo Bromme found Rubies shooters Paige Pople and Lynne Cornish, in what was a great team effort with a final score of 50-27 to Rubies.

Players of the match: Laura Coombes, Paige Pople and Lynne Cornish.

Sydenham Emeralds 37, Minstrels 42

EMERALDS had a full team with good links and support between the attacking players and accurate shooting from Adele Ranford and Roxy McDowell, to see them into a 11–7 lead.

Good play from Kerry Clark, who pressured her partner at WD, and Rachael Coles and Emily Hoare in the defensive circle to Emeralds to a half time lead of 19–18.

Minstrels put Emeralds under pressure during the second half and managed to edge the game 42–37.

Players of the match: Michelle Martin and Emily Hoare.

Sydenham Ambers 29, Reckleford 16

AMBERS had a tough game against Reckleford with the first quarter score of 8-2 to Ambers despite strong centre court play from Leanne Wegg.

Defenders Chelsie Coombes and Megan Buller gave strong performances while Katie Dennison worked the ball well around the court.

Outstanding shooting from Tasmin Hembery and Megan Walford brought the score line to 19–12 going into the final quarter and Tanish Birch and Georgia Edmundson made several interceptions to see help Ambers win 29-16. Player of the match: Chelsie Coombes, Tasmin Hembery and Leanne Wegg.

Umpires Player of the match: Leanne Wegg.

Sydenham Garnets 33, Purnell 36

EXCELLENT interceptions by Nicola Elkins (GK) kept Garnets in the game 6-4 down after the first quarter.

Throughout the second and third quarter shooters Amber Lovell (GS) and Tanisha Birch (GA) continued to shoot accurately, not fazed by Purnell’s defence.

Georgia Edmundson (WD) and Molly Gould (GD) kept Garnets in possession, enabling centre and wing attack, shared between Lucy McCabe, Vicky Evans and Hannah Wallis, to move up the court.

In a challenging last quarter Purnell just pulled back into the lead for a dramatic finish to the game.

Player of the match: Molly Gould