HEREFORDSHIRE started their English Counties Netball League South West Division campaign with a deserved 31-25 home win over the Navy.

Lyndsey Corbet, Sam Price, Sue Kingston, Rachel Balance and Karen Bowen each made their debuts and contributed towards the county's victory.

A nervy start by the hosts saw the Navy score off a number of Herefordshire's centres to take an early lead, but the county responded well and trailed only 6-5 at the end of the first quarter.

Hereford then produced their highest score during the second phase, securing 11 goals to the visitors' eight, which gave the home side a 16-13 advantage.

The Navy's talented young goal defence made the Hereford attack work hard to penetrate the circle, but Sharon Mussell, Toni Douthwaite and Karen Bowen countered her efforts with some slick play.

Goal shooter Kerry Perrott, who returned to the county squad after several years absence, shot with assurance, while Nicky Hill and Susie Painting worked doggedly in the Herefordshire defence.

Leading 24-18 going in the final quarter, Herefordshire maintained their pressure until the finish and secured a six-point win.

Herefordshire travel to Cornwall in the league on January 19 and will hoping to avenge the 54-45 defeat they suffered in the 1998-99 season.