NETBALL: Bridgwater and Galmington teams take to the court

SYDENHAM Sapphires were up against table-topping Claremont, so they were underdogs right from the first whistle.

The first few minutes went goal for goal before Claremont found their stride to lead by 11 goals after the first quarter.

The second quarter was a similar story, Claremont punishing Sapphires’ mistakes.

With the arrival of ‘Coach Kerry’ and her encouragement from the sideline, Sapphires improved in the third quarter.

Susan, Jessie and Lily worked well as a defensive unit to get turnover ball, and Aerin and Laura had worked out how to outplay their defenders.

Player of the match: Lily; umpires’ player of the match: Lily & Jessie; opposition’s player of the match: Susan

Queensway 87, Rubies 26

RUBIES travelled to Taunton to play Queensway, and the hosts pulled away to lead 18-6 after the first quarter.

Anna (C) and Leah (WD) made some great interceptions, but the hosts extended their advantage to 41-8.

A few changes were made in the defence at half-time, and Rubies came out fighting.

Some brilliant movement by Hollie (GA) and Rhiannon (GS) saw the Sydenham side up their score to 66-17, as the visitors made a strong finish to the game.

POM: Amy; OPOM: Amy; UPOM: Anna

Gems 50, Hovelands 47

GEMS started well, taking an early lead and finishing the first quarter 13-9 ahead.

They worked well as a team and capitalised on Hovelands’ errors, with the Sydenham shooters in accurate form.

Going into the last quarter, Gems had an eight-goal lead, but Hovelands took advantage of Gems’ tired legs and scored off their interceptions.

The last quarter was evenly matched but Gems held on to claim a 50-47 win.

POM, UPOM, OPOM: Hannah Clapp; all matches sponsored by Myra Richards in memory of Gordon Richards

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Newton 56, Saturn 33

WITH a challenging game ahead, Bridgwater Saturn started positively, with Izzy Keane (C) creating a variety of options down court.

Despite Sally Haysham (GD) and Abbie Newton (GK) defending tirelessly, Newton managed to gain an early lead (13-6), and their strong defence in the second quarter made it difficult for Saturn to attack.

Half-time changes led to Saturn’s best quarter, with Cerys Ethridge (C), Izzy Innalls (WA) and Katie Anthony (WD) combining well.

This was also helped by great movement in the shooting third by Kia Jenner (GS) and Keane (GA).

In the final quarter, Saturn showed amazing teamwork, to pick up a bonus point.

Players of the match: Abbie Newton & Izzy Keane; opposition’s player of the match: Kirsty Harry; sponsor: Merrick Construction

Comeytrowe 40, Mars 26

THE tall mother and daughter shooting duo of Becky and Immy Kennard were a challenge for the home defence and Mars finished the first quarter leading 9-6.

Comeytrowe found their spark in the second quarter, and pulled away to lead 22-14.

The defensive team of Ashlea Slater and Caitlin Howe were on form, but the third quarter ended 34-20.

Birthday girl Chris Durant (C) was everywhere on court, and Mars managed to draw the last quarter.

POM & OPOM: Chris Durant; sponsor: PAW Engineering Ltd

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YOUTH: Bridgwater Netball Club’s Under-16s (from left) - Caitlin Howe, Immy Kennard, Alicia Clapp, Alex Davey, Mia Beckett, Izzy Keane, Ebony Tucker

BRIDGWATER Netball Club’s Under-16 A team enjoyed an exciting game against Yeovil on Sunday.

After a last-minute call-up for Immy Kennard, the BNC girls took the court against a well-drilled Yeovil side and were two goals down by the end of the first quarter.

Fantastic interceptions from Mia Beckett and excellent shooting from Alicia Clapp and Alex Davey saw Bridgwater a goal up at half-time.

The third quarter was end-to-end but BNC steadied themselves with excellent play from Immy Kennard and Ebony Tucker on the wings.

With a couple of positional changes, the BNC girls each had an individual task to work on from coach Cath Clark in the final quarter.

Very quickly the girls extended their lead from a turnover ball by GK Caitlin Howe and some amazing centre court play from Izzy Keane.

With a further flurry of goals from both shooters, Bridgwater began to pull away and won 30-27.

POM: Izzy Keane; U16s sponsored by Dean Motors

Bridgwater’s Under-16 B team were also in a nail-biting match, as they took on Purnell.

BNC started well and were 11-6 up, but Purnell fought back to go ahead by three.

With a few changes of position at half-time, the BNC girls brought renewed energy to the court.

Going into the final quarter, Bridgwater were two goals down, but a final push saw them win 40-35.