EAST GAMBIER 44 d NORTH GAMBIER 36
It was always going to be a tough, tight contest and it did not disappoint as North Gambier challenged East, with the Bulldogs rising to that challenge and remaining undefeated in 2021 after Round 12 of Western Border netball.
As it has been in most matches this season, it was all about the start, with East getting the better of the opening quarter to set up a six-goal quarter-time lead.
Given no more than three goals separated the two teams in the remaining three quarter, that stellar start proved pivotal.
Playing without Tarsh McCallum, who is set for a few weeks on the sidelines, the Bulldogs started with Kate Dempsey at wing attack and her composure and smarts always meant she would not be a liability, having already played in the heat of battle in the 2019 finals series.
Tyne Bosko was back on court after a couple of weeks’ absence which was a bonus for the Bulldogs.
The opening quarter was all about supply, with North generating 10 scoring opportunities, but East enjoying double that.
If not for a perfect eight from eight from Caroline Davey, that early advantage may have been even bigger.
Amryn Bosko was on fire for the Bulldogs, shaking off classy defender Maddie Whaites to net 10 of East’s 15 opening quarter goals.
In fact, the young shooter proved to be the focal point at times for the Bulldogs, given so much attention was on the always-dangerous Tenille Gray.
It was a game that showed exactly how critical Amryn Bosko is to this team, because when opposition defenders throw everything at Gray and stop her influence, the teenager shooting sensation just keeps getting the job done.
At the other end of the court, especially in the first quarter, Bo Creek and Lisa Fyfe were able to create enough turnover ball to give East the edge.
Creek and Davey have had some classic battles over the journey and this was another epic duel, with Creek keeping the dangerous shooter as quiet as any defender this season with her aerial skills and determination not to give the Tigers spearhead any easy ball.
That being said, Davey, along with the hard running Brianna Walters were North’s best.
Davey never stopped presenting and Walters not only works hard in the attacking third to always be an option, she also delivers the ball with precision and is unassuming in defence, often winning the ball back in the mid-court.
Both sides will take something away from the clash.
North is getting closer and if they can tidy up the start will challenge further, while East has been challenged since an easy few opening rounds but continue to rise to those challenges and they have also worked through significant injuries, which is something team looking to go all the way so often have to do.
WEST GAMBIER 76 d SOUTH GAMBIER 43
DESPITE missing key defender Jade Ritter, West Gambier was still able to easily account for South Gambier, securing a 33-goal victory.
The Roos stamped their authority on the contest early, with an 11-goal quarter-time lead.
Sarah Ritter was a strong target under the post, while Lisa McGregor was also prolific in securing scoring opportunities as the West goalers found good connection with their mid-court, Carlee Ransom and Tara Bryant.
The Roos were able to play a long-driving, fast style of play they love so much and while South defenders Brandi Bouchier and Ellie Bouchier tried to diminish the scoreboard impact, the amount of ball the Roos enjoyed just made it impossible.
Mikaela Horrigan stepped into the goal keeper and the versatile talent showed she has strong defensive skills as well, despite normally patrolling the mid-court and she combined well with Amy Cram, who had a strong four quarter performance which saw her the best player on the court.
She put doubt in the South feeders minds and took a number of strong intercepts, both in tough one-on-one contests and also taking the risk of leaving her opponent to chase the ball.
Cram and McGregor masterminded the victory, with Cram ensuring the defensive end was a well-oiled machine which denied the Demons time and space and McGregor was the key outlet pass for the Roos.
She then engineered the ball movement in the attacking third, also finishing strongly, netting 24 from 26 in the opening three quarters when the damage was done.
The battle in the middle between Bryant and South captain Renee Pluckhahn was an entertaining contest, with both running hard offensively but also getting some important defensive touches.
In the end, though, it was weight of supply – West generating 88 scoring opportunities to South’s 58.
MILLICENT 78 d CASTERTON SANDFORD 46
While Millicent had much more of the ball in the first quarter, the Cats did their best to stay in touch with accurate finishing from Paige Murrell and Tori Broomby helping keep the scoreboard in check.
The Cats also had Tayla Guthrie on court again and while Millicent shooter Tabatha Sanderson shot 16 straight in the opening quarter, Guthrie continued to make life as tough as she could for the tall Saints goaler throughout the match.
Unfortunately for Casterton Sandford, the eight-goal quarter time deficit was 21 at the half and as they did the previous week against South Gambier, the reigning premiers continued to put the foot down and the final margin was a convincing 32 goals.
That being said, the third quarter saw the Cats really challenge Millicent.
It was Guthrie’s best quarter, keeping Sanderson to only seven goals, while the home side only lost the quarter by three.
At the main break, Broomby and Murrell swapped shooting roles and it also seemed to make a difference as Zhane Crawford and Scarlett Jarrad started to find a way through the Millicent defence, with Broomby and Murrell again finishing limited opportunities accurately.
Millicent regained control in the final quarter, although again, the accuracy from the Cats shooters was pivotal, netting 13 from 16.
There is no doubt the Saints are building towards another finals series and Sanderson’s form after returning from injury has been impressive.
At the defensive end, Hannah Nitschke, back on court after a week sidelined by illness, showed her value as she created turnover ball with her tight checking defensive skills and willingness to contest everything.
Murrell and her smart moves and creative feeding was the best for the Cats – her accurate finishing also critical – while Guthrie, who enjoyed a run out at goal defence in the final quarter, showed why the Cats would love to have her available every week.
