Millicent 92 d South Gambier 28
MILLICENT continued its undefeated status with its biggest win of the 2017 Western Border netball season over South Gambier in Round 8 on the weekend.
The Saints were without key defender Hayley Dunn, but it made no difference to the scoreline.
Kimmi Varcoe and Madi Turner secured a number of turnovers across the transverse line and Shasta Bowman – who took the goal keeper bib in Dunn’s absence – was rarely out-rebounded.
Then there was the speed of ball and Audine Bryant and Keah Lynch had a field day as they connected with each other and Donna Denton thanks to precision passing and pace off the mark on the lead.
The 20-6 first quarter set the tone for the match, with the Demons also missing key personnel with Alyce Mourbey away representing the state in rugby and Bailey Watson unavailable.
Things were not helped when for the second successive week Alannah Campbell was forced from the court, this time with injury, taking more experience out of the line-up.
A Reserve defender Brandi Bouchier was a more than capable replacement.
Turner was impressive in this quarter as well as she created turnovers with Lynch and Bryant also working high into the centre third to get some important defensive touches of their own before turning on the afterburners and shifting defence into offence in the blink of an eye.
The half time scoreline was 45-12 and not surprisingly South swung the changes.
Tori McIntyre moved to goal defence, Imogen Walker into goal attack, coach Lauren Duncan to the attacking wing, Jordyn Adams to centre and Bouchier to keeper.
It certainly had an effect at the attacking end of the court with Adams finding some good space in the pockets and Walker bringing some direction and strong moves into the shooting circle.
Millicent also made a change with Lisa Duldig moving to the defensive wing and giving Turner a run through the middle.
It saw the Demons only lose the quarter by 10, but Millicent did step it back up again in the last with another huge quarter to finish off the match in style.
With five minutes to play McGrath was forced from the court and star premiership defender Alex Walker, home from Adelaide for the weekend, took to the court.
In the end the 64-goal margin reflected the contest where the premiership favourite and reigning champions took on an unsettled line-up missing personnel.
The speed of ball in offence and the relentless defensive pressure all over the court saw the Saints dominate with Lynch continuing to be one of the biggest revelations of the season with her pace, smarts and composure, while Bryant, Duldig and Denton deliver exactly what you expect, setting the standard.
