Storm Hurricanes got their South West Regional League campaign underway with a superb 57-54 win at Saints.

The match away at Truro College was the first game in this season's league programme and saw the two Cornish qualifiers facing off against each other.

Saints qualified as Cornwall 1 with Storm as Cornwall 2 and it was the home side who took the initiative and raced to a 5-1 lead before Storm settled down and pulled the scores back to 5-5.

The remainder of the first quarter was tight and the sides finished level at 13-13 at the break.

Storm remained unchanged and started the second quarter much better to edge ahead.

With Laura Butler and Rebecca Hocking playing well in the shooting circle and Evie-Mai Hagger and Rebecca Pearse working hard to shut down the home side's attack Storm went into the half time break leading 28-25.

With loud support behind the glass at the College the Hurricanes continued to pressure in the third quarter although Saints fought back to draw level at 33-33 before Storm surged ahead again.

With Storm's mid court of Martha Hilliard, Holly Filkins and Beth Thomas working hard to give quality ball to the shooters the quarter finished with Storm leading 46-41 and the unthinkable was becoming a possibility, could Cornwall 2 beat Cornwall 1?

Saints set about reducing the deficit and with the game going from end to end the gap came down to just two goals with a minute to go.

The ball was heading for the Storm defensive end and a shot at goal that would have taken the gap to just one goal but Goal defence Becky Pearse stuck out an arm and took a crucial interception.

Storm brought the ball away and converted the turnover to lead by three with seconds remaining.

The final whistle went and Storm had recorded an astonishing victory in a pulsating match that saw an incredible 111 goals.

Head Coach David White was full of praise for his young side; "I thought the girls really stepped up and showed what they are capable of in this game. We knew it was going to be tough but we played with passion, commitment and a never-say-die attitude that enabled us to take all the points in the end.

"I thought our full court defence was excellent and all seven players who were on court were exceptional. Becky and Laura in the shooting circle did brilliantly again and everyone's mental strength to come through this test was fabulous. They have such a great team spirit and work ethic that they can be very proud of what they've achieved."

However, it's only the first of a six game campaign and Storm know there are plenty of tough tests still to come. The next one is the visit of Somerset 1 side Chilcompton to Carn Brea.

That match takes place on Sunday, 20th November with a 1:30 start. There will be tiered seating available for spectators plus pre-match refreshments available in the Zest Cafe.