PREMIER DIVISION

ARTIFEX A 43

CRESTA LEISURE 28

TOP-FLIGHT newcomers Artifex A find themselves at the top of the league after their first game of the new campaign.

Both teams made a strong start, however, Artifex, asserted their dominance as Cresta found their feet, ending the quarter with a substantial lead.

Cresta upped their game and took advantage of small errors by Artifex to score a brilliant 10 points to Artifex’s five, bringing the score level at 15-all.

Artifex responded with tighter play and great teamwork between shooters Candice Barton (GS) and Kirsty Holmes (GA).

Cresta made some tactical changes at half-time but struggled to find their rhythm, allowing Artifex to stretch their advantage.

Both sides made tactical changes in a final bid for victory.

Cresta’s Abbie Linsley (C) made good use of possession to bring the ball across court – however, Artifex’s determination shone through as they defended their lead to take their first victory in the top division.

PREMIER DIVISION

EXPERT CATERING 23

GUNGHO MARKETING 36

GUNGHO bagged their first win of the season in this opening-day clash.

The match started with good pace and brilliant play from both teams.

Expert’s Laura Osbourne (GD) and Bryony White (GK) covered space well in Gungho’s D to put pressure on the shooters.

Good spacial awareness from Gungho worked to their advantage as they found the net to carve out a small lead.

Gungho made better use of space to match Expert.

Gungho’s Lauren McRobbie (GK) and Jessamy Baker (GD) proved to be an impenetrable defensive duo, fending off strong passing from Expert to ensure their team stayed ahead.

The pressure mounted in the third quarter as both teams’ defenders were on-form with interceptions.

However, Gungho had the edge and took advantage of scoring opportunities to increase their lead.

Gungho showed great team spirit, always praising strong play and boosting each other’s confidence, allowing them to keep control of the game and end triumphant.

DIVISION ONE

TEAM WAIKIKI 25

DORCHESTER NETBALL CLUB 36

DORCHESTER Netball Club never looked back after taking an early lead.

This was mainly due to superb interceptions from Freya Ellis (WA) into Amelia Corrie-Fairhurst (C) who showed dynamic mid-court play.

Waikiki took advantage of penalties to stay in the game.

Despite exceptional pressure from Dorchester, Waikiki got the ball to their D, where Hayley Rooks (GS) and Emily Peacock (GA) were waiting to convert, keeping their opponents from increasing their lead.

Dorchester dominated the third quarter, easily racking up points.

Waikiki showed solid teamwork to get the ball to their D but could not stem Dorchester’s attacking flow.

Waikiki upped their game with effective communication to reduce the score difference. In the end, however, Dorchester took claimed a well-deserved win after outstanding play.

DIVISION TWO

ALLWAYS REMOVALS 31

BEAMINSTER BRAVES 25

ALLWAYS had the edge to win this hard-fought contest.

The first quarter saw many interceptions moving the ball back and forth constantly.

Braves’ mid-court players fought hard to get the ball to their shooters but it was Allways who made the most of turnovers to carve out a small lead.

Braves made smart use of rebounds to increase their lead.

Allways responded with strong passes into the circle from GA, Millie Thompson, giving team-mate Henni Green (GS) good opportunities to score.

Braves' attackers gave their all in the third quarter but Allways kept strong pressure in the D.

Despite this, Braves made the most of every scoring opportunity to get within one goal of Allways by the end of the quarter.

Braves’ Jas Mather (GD) and Tess Burrows (GK) showed good tactical play to force errors but Allways held tight to their lead and racked up points to ensure they walked away with the victory.