Lawn stunned high-flying Manchester Dominoes in National Premier Division Three.

Having lost 32-23 at Manchester in the clubs’ previous meeting, Lawn were determined to put up a better fight and reward the large crowd.

Both teams started the game at a furious pace, matching each other goal for goal and finishing the first quarter deadlocked at nine apiece.

The following quarter followed the same pattern as both teams’ shooters were performing exceptionally well, with Lawn’s Amy Richardson and Sam Dell feeding inch-perfect balls into the shooting circle.

Lawn head coach Kerrie Easey decided to not make any half-time changes while her opposing coach took a different approach and moved players around.

This unsettled the Dominoes team, which enabled the increasingly confident Swindon side to edge away, taking many interceptions, which were duly converted.

Lawn went into the last quarter seven goals to the good but were fully aware that the Manchester side would come out trying to disrupt their flow. Dominoes didn’t disappoint and regained five early goals, however, Lawn dug in and managed to battle through the last period to come away 31-29 winners.

Lawn had ended the year on a high when they beat Comets at home. They lost the reverse fixture earlier in the season and the second encounter was just as close, with the Swindon side victorious by the narrowest of margins this time.

These wins move Lawn into a strong seventh place ahead of their next encounter which will be on Sunday, January 23 at Birmingham versus Elmdon, who they previously drew with.

Swindon Division One leaders Abbey Meads A were given a stiff opening test to the new year in their clash with Raychem A.

The title favourites started well enough, taking an early 6-1 lead in the first few minutes. Unlike in previous matches, Abbey were unable to maintain their normal early pace and Raychem fought back, never allowing their opponents to pull away.

Abbey coach Lorraine Bulpitt made sure her side persevered and while not at their best, they showed enough grit to seal a 46-39 win.

In the Regional Two League,  Pinehurst faced Lawn in a much-anticipated local derby.

Pinehurst started the game strongly and maintained that level to edge home 38-34.

RESULTS

Division One: Moredon A 52 – Delta Reds A 30, Lawn B 17 – Lawn A 33, Raychem A 39 – Abbey Meads A 46, Nationwide A 35 – Park A 38, Delta Reds B 21 – Croft A 29.

Division Two: Ferndale A 41 – Delta Reds C 27, Abbey Meads B 41 – Raychem C 13, Moredon B 31 – Corsham 41.

Division Three: Pinehurst C 30 – Fairford B 24, Abbey Meads C 21 – Burmah C 32, Lawn D 27 – Burmah B 23.  Division Four: Moredon C 46 – Lawn F 30, Lawn E 40 – Raychem E 16, Thames A 52 – Coleview 12, Abbey Meads D 39 – Ferndale B 21, Nationwide B 39 – Fairford C 16.

Division Five: Pinehurst D 26 – Fairford D 35.