Sidmouth Netball Club entered a number of teams into the latest round of the Exeter and District Netball League junior competition, writes Louise Hastie.

Two teams were entered in the Under-14 age group, one in the Under-12 and one more in the Under-11 section.

All the teams were sporting their striking new team kit which has been generously funded by the Keith Owen Fund.

First into the action were the Under-14 teams.

Sidmouth Eagles launched their matches against a Dart Hurricanes side who were no match for them!

Sharp shooting from Darcy Hastie and fierce defending from Jess Truman saw Eagles to a comfortable win.

Next up they took on an experienced Exeter side, but they too were beaten as the Eagles chalked up a superb 14-10 victory.

Molly Parry was outstanding in the GA position and there was also some excellent defensive play from Alice Welland.

Sidmouth Kestrels were involved in the Second Division and they began with a match up against Axe Valley.

Many of the team are still very new to netball and are just starting to get their eye in, but, with some excellent play in the attacking end from Molly Garrick, Lucy Tanner, Charly Hosking and Siona John, Kestrels ran out 13-9 winners.

Their second game was against Teignmouth Titans who proved too well drilled for them; the South Devon side winning 13-10.

Next up were the U12 and U11 matches.

These proved to be fast and furious with Sidmouth Hawks (U12) playing four games in quick succession.

Hawks is a team made up of some young players who have only been playing together for seven weeks, but have already gelled as a squad and improve with every outing. Hawks notched up victories against Axe Valley, Teignmouth and Honiton and lost just the one, beaten 5-2 by Exeter. The game with Exeter was much more evenly matched than the last time the teams had met which is testimony to the hard work the Sidmouth girls are putting in and how their confidence, individually and collectively, is improving.

Last out were the Under-11 side, Sidmouth Ravens.

This team has gone from strength to strength in the short time they have been together and they won three matches, recording victories against both West Exe teams and narrowly missing out to a more practiced Exeter team.

There was some fine play from all of the team, but special mention must go to Jessy Wheeler for some excellent defensive work.

Overall this was a successful outing for Sidmouth Netball Club with the teams successful in eight of the 11 matches they contested.

The club is always keen to hear from any girls that are keen to play netball and can be contacted at sidmouthnetball@gmail.com