Regional League 3S

Taunton Vivary 44, Sydenham Gems 42

BOTH teams were evenly matched for the first quarter, with Gems taking a slight lead (11-12).

The second and third quarters saw Vivary slightly pull away with good defensive work and the use of speed throughout the court.

Vivary went into the last quarter leading 36-29 but Gems had the better start to the quarter scoring three unanswered goals.

Gems’ defence forced errors from Vivary which saw them come back into the game, which was goal for goal in the dying minutes with Vivary eventually taking the win.

POMs: Amelia Watson and Lauren Knight; OPOM: Faye Symons; squad: Lauren Wilkinson, Meg Palmer, Emily Tong, Susie Marsh, Lauren Knight, Nicole Smith, Faye Symons, Amelia Watson; sponsor: Shine Hair Management

Somerset Premier

Yeovil Wyndham 31, Tone 64

TONE started off with safe and strong passes, giving them a 12-8 lead.

Tone’s defence marked tightly which led to many great interceptions and limited Wyndham’s scoring opportunities (32-15).

Accurate feeding into the circle and great movement stretched the lead and, despite Wyndham having a better final quarter, Tone worked hard and finished with a well deserved final score.

POM and OPOM: Jade Barnett; squad: GS Fee Grammer, GA Jade Barnett, WA Ruby Porter, C Hannah Robins/Erin Humphris, WD Kim Tong, GD Lauren Knight, GK Lucy Jones; sponsor: The King’s Arms

Somerset Premier

Yeovil Newton 52, Monmouth 29

THE dawning of the New Year should herald a fresh start, but old habits are the toughest to break.

So it proved for the enigma that is Monmouth; a strange puzzle full of individual pieces that could make a winning picture, yet seem bafflingly difficult to slot together.

A feisty first quarter ended honours even at 12-12, but Newton’s consistency began to show leaving Monmouth trailing 17-27 at half-time.

Monmouth looked disjointed at times, not helped by forced positional changes due to injuries, whilst Newton pushed on to earn a 40-24 lead.

Monmouth improved their movement and passing in the fourth quarter, but Newton maintained control and ran out winners.

POM and OPOM: Erin Humphris; sponsor: Wilkie May & Tuckwood

Quantock lost 45-39 at Bruton’s Robins in the First Division.

POM: Zoe Stacey; sponsor: Mecca Bingo

Somerset Division 2

Yeovil Aldon 38, Priory 33

ALDON dominated the first quarter, with accurate shooting and rebounds from Priory’s missed shots (4-12).

The game was similar in the second quarter with Aldon staying strong (14-24).

Priory made a couple of positional changes and won the third quarter (25-32).

It was all to play for in the final quarter and Priory’s heads were high, scoring three unanswered goals to pull within three, but the hosts held their nerve to secure their win.

POM: Hanna Jarvis, OPOM: Gugu Mlotshwa; squad: GS Lucy Cox, GA Sophie Bond, WA Andrea Dobson, C Sarah Hughes, WD Gugu Mlotshwa, GD Hanna Jarvis, GK Ellie Tolman; sponsor: Matt Durbin Associates

Somerset Division 2

Tudor 45, Sydenham Emeralds 28

A STRONG start from both teams left the score at 9-9 at the end of the first quarter.

Some great defence and interceptions made by Tudor’s defence combined with strong team play saw them take a 12-goal lead at half time and they went on to seal the win.

POM: Charlotte Owen, OPOM: Charlotte O’Leary; squad: GS Charlotte Owen, GA Lucy Hird, WA Maddy Russell, C Charlotte O’Leary, WD Libby Binding, GD Hayley Milne, GK Tanya Binding; sponsor: Marked Skin

Brendon travelled to play Bruton’s Doves in the Third Division, losing 20-38.

POMs: Jess Larkman, Kate Hine, Sophia Valmiki and Clara Higginson, OPOM was Jess Larkman; sponsor: Bridgwater & Taunton College

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Regional League 1

Galmington 52, Titans Lightning 41

GALMINGTON began the new year in strong fashion, with some fantastic interceptions and accurate shooting taking them into a first-quarter lead.

They extended that advantage going into half time, and although Titans fought back in the third quarter, the home defence stood firm, turning over lots of balls and providing the platform for the shooters to cap an 11-goal victory over their mid-table rivals.

Player of the match: Emma M; sponsor: Admiral School of Motoring

Somerset Premier Division

Claremont 57, Abbey 41

PREMIER Division high-fliers Claremont saw off Abbey, after building an early lead but seeing it eroded over the next couple of quarters.

Only five goals ahead at the start of the final period, Claremont dominated the closing stages to win by 15.

POM: Sophie Hooley; sponsor: Somerset County Sports

Somerset Division 2

Queensway 38, Chalice 30

QUEENSWAY hosted Tor side Chalice at Taunton Vale, and they fought against the biting cold by building a 13-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Chalice tightened up their defence and kept the game close, but the hosts ensured they stayed ahead to start 2019 with a good win.

Queensway newcomer Sarah Mcaree was on top form, being voted player of the match for an all-action display.

POM: Sarah Mcaree; sponsor: the Yew Tree Group