CIRENCESTER FLAMES made the perfect start in the Netball South West U16 Regional League with a narrow but well deserved 39-33 home win over Exeter.

Victory left them joint-top of Division Two with Lawn, Plymstock and North Dorset after the first round of matches.

Throughout the match, the shooting duo of Katie Pauling and Fran Lok were precise and accurate with dynamic movement in the circle.

The support of Beth Mackinnon, Abbie Evans and Eva Andrews in attack was consistent and sharp with great feeds into the shoots.

The defensive quartet of Lizzie Wagstaff, Klara Fletcher, Gracie Napier and Phoebe Gerard (captain) were solid and strong with great interceptions and rebounds making Exeter's attack have to work very hard.

Player of the Match: Fran Lok.

Next up for the Flames is a long journey to Cornwall on Sunday, December 3 to play a double header against St Agnes and Penzance.

It is a great achievement for a small club like Cirencester to make it to the Regional Leagues for the third year in a row.

They qualified for the latest season in Division Two by finishing third in their pool at a South West seeding tournament in Paignton.

The leagues come to a conclusion at the play-offs on Sunday, March 25 2018 to decide who will represent the South West at the National Clubs U16s Finals.