FLEMING Park won the 37th Alderman Hammond tournament at the weekend.

They beat Home James A in a closely-contested final 9-8 but were never behind and ran out deserved winners.

The tournament traditionally takes place before the start of the winter league and is always keenly contested.

This year, the teams were split into two sections.

In the higher section, there was a good standard of netball but the spirit between the teams was also good throughout the tournament.

Both Home James A and Fleming Park were unbeaten all the way to the final.

Fleming played a relatively inexperienced Applemore in the semis but both teams had their moments of excellence.

But, having done very well to get through to the semi-finals, Applemore were unable to pull off a surprise result against Fleming Park.

Home James A met Kings BAT in their semi-final. This was a fast and highly-competitive end-to-end game.

Home James took the lead and came through to win but Kings put up a good fight and were unlucky to miss out on a place in the final.

And so Home James A took Fleming Park on in the final, in which both teams were still looking strong and fresh.

In front of great sideline support for both sides, the game was very controlled but very intense.

Fleming Park capitalised on two mistakes made by Home James in the first half and went in 6-4 up at the half-time interval.

They tried to keep to a tight game plan in the second half but Home James fought hard to reduce the deficit.

In the closing stages, the play became fast and furious with goals being traded at quick intervals.

The intensity felt by players and supporters alike added to the occasion and the game became very physical, but Fleming Park saw it through to emerge as tourament winners.

The lower section was a round-robin event, and Winchester Netball Club went on to win it.

Winchester have had a successful winter season, winning Division 4 of the Southampton League to win promotion.

Their power has enabled them to meet all the challenges thrown their way and stay on top.

This victory was just reward for all the hard work paut in this season.

Runners-up in this section were Watersiders.

They were unlucky and fought hard all day but still came away with a well-deserved medal.