The Honiton Netball Winter League is underway after 12 out of the 20 affiliated teams played their first match on the third Monday of September, writes Steph Upson.

In Division One, the experienced Hi Q met Hi Tide - a fairly new team to the league - and the first division.

Hi Q led the way in the first quarter. The second quarter was fairly evenly matched with both teams scoring nearly equal amount of goals. However, in the third quarter, Hi Q took back control and continued to widen the goal difference leaving the final score 37-18 to Hi Q. Shooters from both teams stole the spotlight in these games with Jaz Chester (Hi Q) and Flossie Plowden (Hi Tide) being awarded Players Of The Match.

Blackdown, another new team to Division One, were also up against an experienced team in the form of Flamingos which was reflected in the score with Blackdown being defeated 36-8. Sonia York was recognised as Player Of The Match for Flamingos meanwhile Rachel Hopkins scooped this award for Blackdown.

Sidmouth Chicks met HNC 3Ts in their first match of the season. Despite steady goal scoring from HNC 3Ts and excellent attacking work from Megan Gooding as their WA, it was not enough to match Sidmouth Chicks’ accurate scoring. This paired with some skilful interceptions, especially from Danni Walters, helped Chicks to secure their three points, with a final score of 49-23.

Another Sidmouth based team, Sidmouth Toucans, braced the courts after being recently promoted to Division One.

They were up against HNC Hot Shots who took the lead from the first quarter and maintained it, despite good shooting from Helen Terry of Toucans. Charley Gardiner flourished as GD and was awarded Player Of The Match for Hot Shots.

Four teams from Division Two 2 took to the courts. HNC Honeyz, a newly formed team, played their first Winter League match against Otter Valley.

Otter Valley managed to only concede one goal in the entire match leaving the final score 35-1. Catherine Phillips (Otter Valley) and Rachel Pattern (Honeyz) were named as Players Of The Match.

The final game to report is that of another new team to the league and Division Two - Sidmouth Eagles.

They were up against JD Tyres. Eagles got off to a flying start, scoring eight goals to JD Tyres’ one in the first quarter.

This was down to excellent teamwork and some fantastic play from Alice Welland as WA for Eagles. In the second quarter, the game was close with many interceptions taking place, lots seen from JD’s Tiff Munt, resulting in few goals being scored by either team.

JD scored their most goals, and more goals than Eagles, in the third quarter, but it was not enough to take a lead, resulting in the young team of Eagles pushing forward to secure the win, 23-15.