East GAMBIER 71 d Casterton Sandford 30
EAST Gambier felt the pressure when entering its Round 8 clash with Casterton Sandford which was fresh from a maiden Western Border netball season win.
However, the Bulldogs fine-tuned their game and as a result took a convincing victory.
East delivered its usual high scoring brand of netball with smooth transition and accurate finishing and was relentless with its defensive pressure as it looked to make it tough for the Cats to move the ball with any surety or flow.
It was a performance to put a smile on the faces of coaches Sarah Lock and Tarsh McCallum – who both led the Bulldogs on-court.
Lock was supreme in goals as she made every post a winner with her long range accuracy.
If she was not converting the shots, she created space for her partner in crime Tenille Gray.
McCallum was pivotal as she used her pace to great effect and delivered the ball with precision into the shooting circle.
Her voice on court and defensive work rate was also pivotal.
At the other end Bo Creek and Brenna McKay certainly made the Cats goalers earn every scoring opportunity with their work over the shot and their willingness to contest every ball.
That was the kind of defensive pressure Abbey Shannon brought – consecutive strong games from here, seeing her start to get back to her best where she is hunting the interception as well as playing a strong brand of one on one defence.
She was also a key in transition for the Cats, as was the ever reliable Natalie Rhook, who never puts in a bad game and was again the dominant feeder with her patience and smarts.
A lack of opportunity was an issue for the Casterton Sandford as it was continually forced into error by East’s relentless mid court defence and after its stirring Round 8 win it would have no doubt preferred a more competitive outing against the third-ranked Bulldogs.
