Hi Q march on at the top of the Honiton Netball Winter League following a 12th success in as many outings, writes Graham Ingram.

They now hold an eight point lead at the top of the Division One table thanks to a close victory over Otters, whose title hopes would now seem to be over.

With Jo Channing playing well, Hi Q got off to a great start to lead 8-1 at the end of the first quarter.

Otters, with Denise Meyers impressing, closed the gap to 10-14 by halfway, but the four goal deficit was how the game ended with Hi Q 27-23 victors.

Sidmouth Toucan Chicks continue to do well in their first season in the top flight and they picked up another three points from their encounter with Signs South West.

With Charlotte Yorke starring for Chicks, they got into an early lead that they held and gradually increased despite a fine effort from Debbie Wheeler for SSW.

The 27-16 win saw the Chicks move 10 points clear of 3Ts and, within four points now of Otters.

In Division Two a second victory of the campaign against second placed Howden Hawks saw Ford & Pentecost Panthers increase their lead at the top to nine points with the next five teams separated by just six points.

The first two quarters of the game were very close with Panthers 15-14 ahead at half way.

Bea Benyszcwska for Hawks and Sara Pearce for Panthers were both in good form. During the last two quarters the Panthers took control to finish victors by 32-23. Sidmouth Toucans moved level on points with Hawks thanks to their win over Pixies by 24-13.

Vicky Russell played well for Toucans whilst Heather Beviss had a good game for Pixies.

With Blackdown Ladies winning against Beer Blazers the Pixies changed places with the Ladies.

The Blackdown Ladies versus Beer game was a close run thing that could have gone either way. The Blazers took the first quarter only for Blackdown to lead at halfway and then it was all square at 9-9 going into the final period when the Ladies edged it to win 13-11.

Erika Kittow was the Blackdown star whilst Megan Bailey was the Blazers light. Another close game took place between Otter Valley and Swaggermamas.

With Pippa Wyatt impressing for Otter Valley they had a 9-8 lead at halfway before Jenny Wiscombe sparked the Mamas into a revival with them going into the final period 12-11 ahead only for Otter Valley to rally and take the points in a thrilling contest that ended 18-14 in their favour.

Latest tables.

Division One P GD Pts

Hi Q 12 233 36

Flamingos 11 207 28

Uplowman 10 174 28

Otters 11 71 23

Sidmouth Toucan Chicks 12 -77 19

Tip Top Trees 10 -158 9

Signs South West 11 -155 5*

JD Tyres 11 -295 4

Division Two P GD Pts

Ford & Pentecost Panthers 12 184 34

Howden Hawks 11 64 25

Sidmouth Toucans 12 47 25

Otter Valley 11 42 23

Blackdown Ladies 12 -57 20

Pixies 11 -50 19

Swaggermamas 11 -81 14

Beer Blazers * 12 -149 3

* Deducted 3 points for rule infringement