TEAM tinkering paid off as Abbey Meads extended their perfect start to the Regional League season with a 41-34 win at Team Bath B.

Abbey fielded a new-look line-up and struggled to settle in the first quarter, unusually trailing after the first 15 minutes. Another reshuffle at the first break saw the visitors’ defence begin to dominate and the deficit became a two-goal lead by half time.

Having pulled away in the third quarter, Abbey began making nervy errors late on, but held firm under the guidance of player of the match Jules Hewitt to make it five wins out of five for the RL3 leaders.

Lawn A still seek their first win of the RL1 campaign after losing 64-32 to Team Bath A.

In RL2, Raychem were beaten 39-32 at Premier Romans. Influential centre Louise Binnie could only watch from the sidelines following the previous week's injury, so 15-year-old Sarah Angell was added to the squad following her excellent displays at district league level this season.

The team started hesitantly and it soon became clear goal attack Jenny Gray would be unable to continue due to illness meaning Angell was introduced to the game at the start of the second quarter for her Regional League debut.

She soon made her mark with a great interception and her confidence continued to build throughout the match with intelligent court play and accurate shooting.

However Romans, with the addition of two players from their Premier League side, proved too strong on the day and, despite a spirited comeback in the final quarter, Raychem lost by seven. Elsewhere in the second tier, Pinehurst were beaten 55-35 to Hucclecote.

In the Swindon & District League, Delta A won the top-of-the-table tussle in Division One, defeating leaders Nationwide A 50-39. Raychem A are second with a game in hand after seeing off Moredon B 57-41.

Shaunie Tuck’s defensive masterclass and increasingly accurate shooting from Georgie Brain and Katie Halpine inspired Abbey Meads B to a 48-33 win against Pinehurst C in Division Two.

Croft B continue to lead the way in Division Three after a comfortable 50-19 win over Ferndale A.

Laine Waite was player of the match as her Abbey C side edged out Moredon C, 30-24.

Burmah C’s 41-22 win over Pinehurst D keeps them top of Division Four, while Abbey Meads D beat Wootton Bassett 30-16, with Liz Cuff and Lucy Roe starring in defence.

Division Five leaders Delta C impressed again in a convincing 49-5 win against Raychem F.