TWO members of Taunton Netball Club – Becca Holder and D’arcy Rowlands – have been selected for the Somerset Netball Academy.

Both girls have progressed through the junior section at Taunton which is run by Ali White.

They now play in the senior league for Quantock who compete in Division One.

Meanwhile clubmates Lauren Knight and Daisy West, who play for the Under-14s, have joined the Somerset Netball Satellite Academy.

Taunton results: Vivary beat Sapphires 55-39 (POM Sophie Davies); Quantock beat Rubies 44-34 (D’Arcy Rowlands); Monmouth lost to Reckleford 35-37 (Sharlie Hughes); Blackdown lost to Robins 30-31 (Sarah Hughes and Rhonda Robins).

n There was a strange symmetry about the scores of Galmington’s top three teams at the weekend as all three won close matches by the same margin of just two goals.

In Division One of the regional league fourth placed Galmington were up against Poole, who were lying just one place above them in the table.

It was goal for goal in the early stages but a series of interceptions by goalkeeper Helen Jones, who was outstanding throughout the match, saw Galmington open up an 11-4 lead and they were still 15-9 ahead at the first interval.

Galmington remained in control for much of the second quarter but Poole began to make in-roads into the lead which was reduced to just two goals at one stage and Galmington only held a 26-22 lead at half-time.

A high quality match saw both teams playing excellent netball but Galmington again went seven goals in front towards the end of the third quarter only for the battling Dorset team to score the last five goals of the period to leave the match delicately poised with Galmington just 38-36 ahead going into the last quarter.

Once again Galmington took control with Beth Blackwell in superb shooting form and they opened a seemingly winning lead of 48-41.

However, a determined Poole side showed why they are third in the table and refused to give up, gradually reducing the deficit. They came to within two goals but Galmington maintained their discipline and, more importantly, possession of the ball to win an exciting match 50-48.

In Division Two Trident travelled to Swindon to play Abbey Meads, both teams having been promoted last season.

It was the Wiltshire side that edged a closely- contested first quarter 11-9. However, the next period saw Trident play their best netball of the season with a superb display.

Lucy Low was in excellent form at goal attack as was centre Becki Manley and Trident opened up a 28-15 half-time lead.

Abbey Meads regrouped and responded well having the better of the third quarter and Trident’s lead was down to five goals at the start of the last period.

However, they battled well to retain their lead not allowing Abbey Meads to get close and, although the home side did close the gap right at the end, Trident were always in control to record an excellent 45-43 win.

In the Somerset League Premier Division leaders Hovelands were given a hard match by Saturn in Bridgwater.

The home side held a surprise 12-10 first quarter lead before Hovelands, for whom wing defence Zoe Robinson had a fine match, turned the game around to lead 24-21 at half-time.

Any thoughts Hovelands had that the second half would be more comfortable were soon dispelled as Saturn fought to the final whistle and Hovelands had to be at their best to resist the pressure and hold on for a tense 45-43 victory.

While the margin of victory in the three matches may have been coincidental, there was no luck involved.

It would have given coach Lisa Manley immense pleasure that the determination and resolve instilled in the players at training, as well as the emphasis on fitness, was put into practice by the players resulting in three superb wins.

Galmington Under-16s played their first match in the U16 Regional League hosting Old Chelts at the Vale.

Although they were eventually beaten 44-26, they fought well throughout especially in defence where Jaz Chester was particularly impressive and will have learned a lot from their initial experience at this level.

Other Somerset league results: Division One – Neptune 30, Claremont 46 (PoM Jaz Chester); Walton Blacks 21, Parkfield 43 (Anna Gover); Division Two – Venus 39, Queensway 36 (Alisha Gardener); Division Three – Mercury 17 Comeytrowe 33 (Jess Clifford & Lucy Hemmings).