DEVIZES are fourth in the table approaching the midway point of their maiden season in Netball South West’s Regional Division Three campaign after a closely-fought home victory over Old Chelts.

In their penultimate outing before the mid-season break, Devizes were seeking to cement their standing in mid-table with their fifth victory from nine games.

With the second-from-bottom visitors coming close to victories in several of the games since their only win on day one of the season, the home side was expecting a closely contested game.

The first quarter did not disappoint with both sides starting by matching each other goal for goal.

But Devizes began to apply an effective full-court defence and patient play into goal ensured that they led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Old Chelts’ effective pressure around the circle saw another strongly contested period in the second quarter, with both teams making costly errors.

Devizes struggled to find consistent flow in mid-court but pulled away marginally from the visitors to hold a five-goal lead at half time.

With the scoreline tight, nerves took their toll on the home team’s shooting accuracy at the start of the second half and Old Chelts won the third quarter by three goals.

With a fragile lead of just two goals, Devizes brought on a new goal shooter to try to improve their accuracy on goal.

Good defence from both teams made it hard for either team to find flow and consistency.

However, key attempts on goal by Devizes meant the visitors’ fightback was kept at bay and the two-goal advantage remained, earning the home team a valuable five points.

Player of the match was centre court Victoria Sim, who played on through injury to help her side to fourth place in the table.

Devizes face second-placed Trident in next weekend before the Christmas break.

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