Match of the round lives up to hype

PRESSURE GAME: Nangwarry's Hayley Vanderhorst and Tantanoola's Emma Gould fight for possession during Round 8 of Mid South East netball on Saturday.

HATHERLEIGH 48 d MOUNT BURR 45

THE match of Mid South East netball Round 8 certainly lived up to expectations, as Hatherleigh had to fight for every minute of the game to claim a three-goal victory over Mount Burr.

The Mozzies had a top-four position on the line and as a result the game was strongly contested for the full four quarters.

Hatherleigh won the toss and took the first centre pass which was quickly turned over in defence by Mount Burr.

The Mozzies then jumped out to an early 4-0 lead to apply scoreboard pressure.

Layla Baker took the centre bib in her first A Grade game this season and had faced a tough opponent in Sarah Faulkner.

Accuracy started to affect both sides mid-way through the quarter, with both defensive ends picking off any loose balls and neither team able to settle.

Mount Burr held a slight two-goal advantage at the first break.

Hatherleigh moved Sarah Broadhead back to goal keeper and Maddie Redman to goal defence, but Mount Burr once again turned over Hatherleigh’s first centre pass, extending its lead to three goals.

The Eagles then settled and took the lead by one goal, but Ebony Clark’s strong rebounding helped her side to wrestle the lead back, pushing out to hold a four-goal lead at the main break.

Mount Burr then brought Simone Westerman on at wing attack and Laura Schultz moved to centre.

Hatherleigh’s goalies Maddie Pulmer and Lacey Haines started to settle in the circle, despite strong defense by Heidi Clark and Madi Haggett and headed to the last quarter with a one-goal lead.

In a high-scoring last quarter, which showcased accurate shooting by both sides, it was Hatherleigh’s defensive pressure which caused unforced errors in the mid-court and claim the win.

Broadhead and Haines were best for the victors, with Heidi Clark and Ebony Clark best for Mount Burr.

KALANGADOO 93 d KONGORONG 22

KALANGADOO proved its dominance with a 71-goal victory over Kongorong.

The Magpies capitalised on every scoring opportunity with their on-the-ball presence gaining possession from any loose ball.

Kongorong’s mid court was out-played by the strength of Kalangadoo’s Jane Auld, Mikaila Pitt and led by Jayde Peacock.

The first quarter saw Kalangadoo take a convincing 16-goal lead with precision feeding by Peacock to goalies Melissa Russell and Abbey Duncan.

Kongorong made some changes at quarter time, with Georgia Seidel on to centre and Sarah Beare to wing defence.

Early in the quarter Seidel landed hard with a knee injury, which saw Sam Fox to centre and Georgia Bald back on to wing attack.

Kongorong then took time to settle, which allowed Kalangadoo to extend its lead to 39 at half time.

Both teams made changes at half time with Kalangadoo swapping its defences and Kongorong trying some different combinations, but the Hawks were unable to stop Russell’s dominance in goal shooter and the Magpies extended their lead to 56 at the final break.

In the last quarter Kalangadoo introduced junior Kori Collins to goals with Duncan and after an ankle injury to Chloe Pratt, junior Sophie Wrightson came on to wing attack.

Duncan stepped up to have her highest scoring quarter for the game with 14 goals.

Final score Kongorong 22, Kalangadoo 93

Auld and Pratt were best for Kalangadoo, with Riley Buckingham and Emalee Stokker best for Kongorong.

ROBE 51 d PORT MACDONNELL28

WHILE the Robe v Port MacDonnell match was set to be a close game, with teams sitting sixth and seventh on the ladder, the Roosters controlled the contest to claim a strong win.

Robe came out strong with some accurate shooting from Sarah Laurie and Tori Gluyas, in front by seven goals at quarter time.

After some changes at quarter time to Port MacDonnell’s defence and mid-court, the Demons’ defenders Lisa McGregor and Belinda O’Dine put the pressure on Robe’s attack line with a more physical quarter.

Port MacDonnell’s goalies Keyarnah Smith and Brooke Williams shot accurately, with Williams shooting at 100pc for the quarter, which saw a more even term as Robe increased its lead by just three goals at the main break.

However, the Roosters came out firing in the third quarter, with Georgia Perkins and Alannah Campbell applying pressure on the Demons’ goalies.

Their determination and rebounding for the quarter was exceptional, which saw an 18-goal lead at the final break.

Robe continued to extend its lead in the final term, with a solid 23-goal win.

Gluyas and Sammy Telfer were best for the victors, with McGregor and Williams best for the Demons.

TANTANOOLA 74 d NANGWARRY 32

A fast-paced began at Nangwarry, with the hosts and Tantanoola moving well.

The Tigers settled quickly and the Saints struggled with a new combination.

Emma Gould was the focal point in the Tantanoola goals, with Casey Walker feeding her with precision.

Nangwarry started to work better late in the quarter, with Cassie Dinnison feeding her goalers well.

After the break Alex Lucas and Dinnison were having a good tussle, while Kristy Dolan and Ange Pratt moved around well to create space for their feeders.

Vic Lucas moved ball around to Gould and Jamie Walker who stepped up the pace to force the Nangwarry defenders to work hard for any balls or rebounds.

Ebony Lawson ran hard at centre for Nangwarry to bring the ball from defence and positioned well on the ring.

Tantanoola extended its lead by the main break, with a 38-15 advantage.

Nangwarry then moved Dinnison into the middle and Lawson to wing attack, while Tantanoola moved Alex Lucas to centre and Casey Walker to wing defence.

The Tigers kept up the momentum, driving well out of defence with any turnovers.

Hayley Vanderhorst worked hard for the Saints against Gould, while Carly Ploenges also stepped up to minimise Jami Walker’s influence.

However, with a big advantage the Tigers continued to push and came away with a confident victory.

Casey Walker and Alex Lucas were best for the Tigers, while Ploenges and Dolan were Nangwarry’s best.