DESPITE an arm wrestle in the opening half, Port MacDonnell was able to get the job done in Round 13 of Mid South East netball.
Both sides took the court with different lines-ups and Keeley Mason played for the Roosters and young Darcie Kuhl made an appearance for the Demons.
It was an even first term with both sides making the most of their opportunities.
However, it was Robe who took a one-goal lead at the first break.
The second term followed in a similar fashion as both teams were playing a strong defensive game, which caused a number of forced errors.
Neither side could make a break, but the Demons had a better 15 minutes to turn the game into their favour – by just two goals – at half time.
Robe made several changes in hope to remain in the game with Kim Ross moving to goal defence.
However, A Reserve’s Lisa McGregor was injected into the game at wing defence and stepped up to assist in Port MacDonnell’s break through.
Megan Hein and Brooke Hawkins were a strong defensive unit in the second half and took a number of timely interceptions to help give their side the edge.
Jess Trench worked well in the unfamiliar position of wing attack and fed well into Kahli Rolton and Sophie Roach.
At the final break the Demons held a strong lead of 13.
Robe struggled to keep up as Port MacDonnell only improved.
Hein and Hawkins stepped up again in the final term to make the Roosters’ chances at scoring slim.
As a result the Demons took the game by 24.
Kongorong 53 d Tantanoola 51
KONGORONG produced a nail-biting two goal victory when it hosted Tantanoola in the recent round of Mid South East netball.
It was not an easy win with the Hawks starting the game off slow.
The Tigers applied defensive pressure and scored the first three goals of the game.
Both sides were accurate, but Tantanoola’s full court defensive pressure allowed it to lead by an impressive 10 goals at the first break.
The Hawks made changes at the break, which brought different dynamics to the court.
The Tigers adjusted quickly, but Kongorong continued to work hard and reduced the difference to seven by half time.
With the Hawks making a comeback, Tantanoola made positional changes entering into the third term.
This saw the game pick up another notch in pace and intensity.
Kongorong found delivery into the circle easier, but the Tigers did not give up and the difference stayed at seven by the final break.
Both sides entered the fourth quarter with determination to take the points in hope to contend for a finals position.
The Hawks had nothing to lose and put every ounce of effort into their final 15 minutes.
Some timely intercepts and ball protection saw Kongorong fight back.
The Hawks were able to hit the front halfway through the quarter and settled to take the win by two.
Kalangadoo 84 d Glencoe 48
KALANGADOO was not challenged by fourth-placed Glencoe despite missing key players from its Round 13 line-up.
Narelle Ryan and Shauni Cunningham were absent from the Magpies’ team, which gave Eliza Hunter and Georgia Duncan a chance to step into the senior side, while Leah Ousey also played in the top grade.
The first half of the first quarter went goal-for-goal as the Murphies came out firing.
However, it was not long before the Magpies settled and started to build a gradual lead due to the hard running of Melissa Russell and accurate finishing of Abbey Duncan.
Glencoe’s Ebony McDiarmid held strongly at the post and Alyce Finnis fed with accuracy, but the supply was limited.
The quarter time score was 21-14 in the Magpies’ favour and they continued to play with a high intensity for the duration of the game.
The defensive pressure applied caused several turnovers and Jasmine Croser took a number of intercepts.
Jenna Paproth lined up against her former teammates and combined with Caitlin Liebich to try to curb the Kalangadoo score line, but the quick transition and accurate finishing of the Magpies team made it hard for her to make an impact.
Glencoe moved Chantelle Weir back to goal shooter at half time and it seemed to make an impact, but it was not long before Kalangadoo adjusted its play to continue to limit its opponents scoring opportunities.
Glencoe shot at 100pc in the third term, but its accuracy was not enough and by the final break the score was 63-34.
Jayde Peacock was a dominant force through the mid court and supported her young team mates who stood to the challenge.
Russell also continued her good form shooting at 95pc accuracy and doing a mountain of work down the court.
The Magpies were eventual winners by 36 goals.
Hatherleigh 60 d Mount Burr 48
JUST 12 goals was the difference between Hatherleigh and Mount Burr when the final whistle sounded on Saturday, showing the Mozzies’ improvement in the Mid South East Netball Association.
The Eagles held a five-goal lead at the first break as both sides made the most of their opportunities.
Hatherleigh’s Sarah Faulkner and Mount Burr’s Laura Schultz produced a great tussle in centre.
Mozzie youngster Layla Baker at wing defence ensured Kelsey Wight earnt every possession, as was her counterpart Helen Hamilton.
The Mozzies made changes at the back with Stacey Lowndes hitting the court at wing attack.
After a short time Faulkner left the court due to injury, which saw her replaced by Lara MacGregor.
Both sides were accurate in the first term, but during the second they struggled to find the ring.
Eagles’ goal defender Annabel Brooks and Mount Burr goal attack Hayley Agnew had a great duel.
Hatherleigh increased its lead, but decided to make changes at the break with Wight heading into centre and MacGregor to wing attack.
They worked well with Keston Green and Pippin Ellis who found their accuracy under the ring.
However, Mount Burr increased its work load and outscored its highly-fancied opponents by one.
In the final stanza Abby Wight came on at goal shooter for the Eagles, while Hamilton moved to centre, with Ellis taking the defensive wing tag.
Heidi Clark and Sophie Wallis worked tirelessly in defence for the Mozzies, but Wight and Green shot accurately to hand their side the eventual 12-goal win.
