SOMETHING had to give when Galmington met Saints Cornwall in the Regional League at the Vale on Sunday with both sides boasting unbeaten records.

After even early exchanges it was Saints who began to pull ahead and they opened up a 14-8 first quarter lead.

The young and very talented visitors quickly extended their lead to nine goals but Galmington came back well to reduce the deficit to six before Saints ended the first half strongly to go 28-20 ahead.

There was little to choose between the teams for the first half of the third quarter but then Saints took control as their two England Under 19 shooters, who were outstanding throughout, stretched their team’s advantage to 47-30.

It would have been easy for Galmington’s heads to drop in the final period but, on the contrary, they came storming back.

Lauren-Jade Griffiths, who had taken several clean interceptions at wing defence, moved to goalkeeper and made light of her height disadvantage as she continued to win the ball.

Meanwhile Susie Marsh (WA) was making excellent use of the extra possession with pinpoint passes into the shooting circle.

As a result Galmington scored ten goals to Saints’ three to reduce the arrears to ten goals and, although that was as close as they came, it was a valiant effort and showed what Galmington are capable of at their best.

In the end Saints deservedly triumphed 56-46 but it was a superb game of netball in which both teams played their part.

In Somerset League Division One Parkfield faced a strong Harlequins team from Midsomer Norton, who were looking to bounce back from their relegation from the Premier Division last season.

However, Parkfield proved more than a match for them and held a 10-9 first quarter lead. Although Harlequins turned the lead over to go 19-18 in front at half-time it was still anybody’s game.

Zoe Robinson and Heidi Kohlman combined excellently in mid-court for Parkfield and they went into the last quarter just two goals behind. Despite a brilliant team effort, however, they were unable to pull the match back and were narrowly defeated 38-34.

In Division Two Queensway struggled to come to terms with the conditions in the midweek encounter with Keinton Kestrels and trailed 11-8 after the initial period.

Unbeaten Kestrels pulled further away for a 20-12 half-time lead before Queensway, for whom goal defence Lydia Reeves was outstanding, found their form, matching Kestrels goal for goal in the second half. Unfortunately the damage had been done and Queensway went down to a 36-28 defeat.

Newbarn travelled to Wells to meet Division Three opponents Canons whose team were boosted by a couple of experienced players returning from injury. Newbarn took a while to get going and trailed 9-4 after the first quarter but, with Sally Perry strong in defence, they came back strongly to reach half-time just 13-11 adrift.

Youngster Hattie Beck was also having a fine match at centre and, only five goals behind going into the final period, the result was still in the balance.

However, Canons’ experience and height superiority in both circles proved decisive and they pulled clear to win 35-20.