The two sides sharing top spot in the Honiton Netball League - Beer Blazers and Otter Valley - went head-to-head in the latest round of matches, writes Steph Upson.

Before the meeting, Blazers sat top by virtue of a better goal margin of two.

The contest was a close encounter with Otter Valley holding a two-goal lead at the end of the first quarter.

Blazers tweaked positional places for the second period and the ploy worked for them to hold a midway advantage.

It was Blazers who took control in the third quarter with their defenders shutting out the opposition for the entire period! At the other end of the court, Blazers notched 15 goals.

Otter Valley hit back in the final quarter, inspired by some excellent interceptions from Sarah Morgan. However, Blazers had done enough earlier in the contest to ease their way a 32-19 success.

For the fourth week running, Gemma Langham was awarded the Player of the Match honour for Beer Blazers, who now sit clear at the summit of the table after banking three points for their latest win.

Sidmouth Eagles played against Pixies for the first time this season.

Both sides enjoyed periods of control in an entertaining contest that saw Eagles two goals up after 12 minutes. By the halfway mark Eagles – with Kate Marriott in fine form, were eight goals to the good.

In the third quarter, Pixies, led by Georgie Selley, powered their way back with 10 goals to end the third quarter just one goal adrift.

The final 12 minutes were tense for both sides, but Eagles managed to stay composed to pip Pixies to the post and eventually win 26-23.

Two of the newer teams to the league met with the meeting of Honeyz and Tornados.

In a tight first quarter there were just four goals scored – three of them by Honeyz.

Their joy was short lived though, for, by the end of the second quarter they had added just one more goal while, at the other end of the court, Tornados, thanks to some excellent play from Charlotte Glover, scored 10 on their way to an impressive 33-7 success.

Both teams must be commended on their sportsmanship as they both received the maximum points for their Fair Play score. Hannah Fyfe was highlighted as Honeyz star player.

There was also a division meeting for JD Tyres and Jurassics.

This game saw Jurassics face another defeat and they are yet to pick up a point.

However, as we get further into the winter season, new team Jurassics are beginning to gel more as a team, which is reflected in their ability to net more goals.

Julie Norman played well for JD, helping them to secure their win of 33-9, whilst Karen Bennett fought hard and managed some skilful interceptions for Jurassics, giving her recognition as POTM.

In a Division One contest, there was just a single goal between Hi Q and Panthers at the end of the first quarter.

However, Hi Q’s experience showed as the match went on and they continued to widen the goal difference, ultimately banking three points for their victory while Panthers narrowly missed out from gaining a point as they were close to scoring half of their opponents’ goals at 17-39. The individual player honour for Hi Q went, once again, to Jaz Chester, while Rachel Burrow picked up the award for Panthers.

Hot Shots and Sidmouth Chicks played out a closely contested match. Chicks took an early lead and maintained it despite some fine perseverance from Hot Shots.

Chicks gained three points by winning 37-31 whilst Hot Shots picked up a valuable point for the amount of goals they netted.

Both teams’ centre players shone throughout the game, resulting in Charlotte Yorke and Jenny Robinson collecting the Player of the Match awards.

Honiton Netball League tables

Division One P W D L F A Pts

Hi Q 4 4 0 0 161 61 12

Sidmouth Chicks 4 3 0 1 136 99 10

Flamingos 3 3 0 0 122 44 9

TNC Otters 3 3 0 0 119 67 9

HNC Hot Shots 4 2 0 2 147 114 8

Blackdown 4 2 0 2 76 95 6

Sidmouth Toucans 4 1 0 3 89 141 4

HNC 3 T’s 3 0 0 3 56 132 1

Panthers 4 0 0 4 63 156 1

High Tide 3 0 0 3 40 101 0

Division Two P W D L F A Pts

Beer Blazers 4 4 0 0 145 67 12

Otter Valley 4 3 0 1 102 52 10

JD Tyres 4 3 0 1 87 50 10

Sidmouth Eagles 3 3 0 0 99 50 9

SSW 3 2 0 1 118 63 7

Pixies 3 1 0 2 69 90 5

Cranbrook Arrows 3 1 0 2 64 74 5

TNC Tornados 4 1 0 3 57 75 4

HNC Honeyz 4 0 0 4 34 145 1

Jurassic’s 4 0 0 4 19 158 0

Player of the Match winners team-by-team: Pixies – Georgie Selley; Sidmouth Eagles - Kate Marriott; HNC Honeyz - Hannah Fyfe; TNC Tornados - Charlotte Glover; Jurassic’s - Karen Bennett; JD Tyres - Julie Norman; Otter Valley - Sarah Morgan; Beer Blazers - Gemma Langham; Panthers - Rachel Burrow; Hi Q -Jaz Chester; HNC Hot Shots - Jenny Robinson; Sidmouth Chicks - Charlotte Yorke