Five weeks in to the summer season and only one team remains unbeaten – Sidmouth Toucans, writes Graham Ingram.

They maintained their 100 per cent record when they defeated Howden Hawks in a close game. Sidmouth started six goals behind Hawks, but by quarter time they had gained a three-goal advantage thanks to good work from Kirsty Platt at GA.

At half time Toucans led 47-42 and they eased into the final quarter with a ten goal cushion.

With Zoe Dunn in good form for Hawks they had the better of the final session, but Toucans took the points from their 65–54 win.

This win saw them go clear at the top as Flamingos lost their unbeaten record at the hands of OPG. With Harriet Eaton impressing OPG outscored Flamingos in every quarter and, although Trish Warwick worked hard for Flamingos, they were unable to find a foothold in the game and OPG landed a 40-25 victory.

This defeat saw Flamingos drop to third in the table due to an incredible winning score by JD Tyres against Water Babes.

The Babes started 36-28 in front, but by quarter time JD had powered their way to a 45-36 advantage.

With Julie Norman pulling the strings for JD they could do no wrong, despite the best efforts of Jade Watts. JD completely dominated the game to record an amazing 95-39 winning score to move into second place on goal difference.

Hi Q held onto fourth spot thanks to their victory over Uplowman who dropped down to eighth and they are one of four teams that sit on nine points.

The third period was the decider with Hi Q moving 11 goals clear to finish with a 46-35 victory. Once again Bev Parris was the Hi Q star whilst it was Vicky Channings who caught the eye for Uplowman.

Signs South West recorded their second win of the campaign when they came up against Tip Top Trees who are still looking for their first victory. It was not a good start for 3Ts however as they were a player short at six.

Despite this they worked hard with both Laura Dare and Jenny Robinson working well, but with Rowan Williams once again in great form SSW were not to be stopped and they finished victors by 68-37.

The closest game of the night was between Pixies and Otter Valley Dairy. With OVD starting 34-30 ahead it was all to play for. By quarter time OVD were 37-32 in front.

With Rachel Edwards playing well Pixies began to close the gap and at the start of the final period it was 43-41 to the Dairy.

Charlotte Broom was in great defensive form for Otter Valley and they held on to win by 47-44 and take the points and move up to seventh place.

Results:

Division One: Uplowman 35, Hi Q 46; Pixies 44, OVD 47; Howden Hawks 54, Sidmouth Toucans 65; JD Tyres 95, Water Babes 39; Signs South West 68, Tip Top Trees 37; Flamingos 25, OPG 40.

Latest table:

P GD Pts

Sidmouth Toucans 5 50 15

JD Tyres 5 72 13

Flamingos 5 20 13

Hi Q 5 43 12

OPG 4 23 9

Signs South West 5 10 9

Otter Valley Dairy 5 9 9

Uplowman 5 -25 9

Howden Hawks 4 4 8

Pixies 5 -21 7

Tip Top Trees 4 -71 4

Water Babes* 4 -89 -1

*Deducted three points for not fulfilling a fixture.