DESPITE an early charge North Gambier took an eventual comfortable win over South Gambier in Round 11 of Western Border netball at Vansittart Park.
North Gambier would have headed into its clash with South Gambier knowing it would be a challenge, but looked to secure a comfortable win against a lower-ranked rival.
It did not pan out that way early.
The challenge was borderline overwhelming as South – despite missing key personnel – refused to give an inch defensively and forced a number of errors.
The Demons were smart in offence with their decisions and did not allow the North defenders to get their usual upper hand.
South worked its way to an early four-goal advantage with Brandi Bouchier’s smart positioning which caused doubt for the Tigers’ feeders.
The athleticism of Alyce Mourbey was also a factor as she attacked any ball in the air.
The Tigers were flustered early and with Lisa Fyfe and Maddie Whaites unable to create their usual turnovers, the scoreboard reflected the young Demons efforts.
The Tigers – who ran the Saints so close the previous round – regrouped halfway through the quarter, working harder to reach the circle’s edge to feed Caroline Davey.
With Mel Renko, Whaites and Fyfe – who started back at goal keeper – starting to get their hands on more ball, North was able to establish a narrow one-goal lead at the first change.
From there, the Tigers took control, although the efforts of the Demons should not be underestimated, and the lead started to build.
It was 10 at the half, 18 at the final change and 27 by the final whistle and, in reality, that did not reflect the best the Demons had to offer but they just could not sustain it.
Amanda O’Shaughnessy was her usual hard-running self through the middle and managed some important defensive touches, as well as being the main feeder at the offensive end.
Elli Gould also continued to show she belongs in the top grade with her work rate and front cuts that if nothing else, opened up the back space for Davey.
After some poor delivery in the first quarter, Davey was then unstoppable and her accuracy was again supreme, while Kaitlin Smith proved a critical outlet in transition and also delivered well into the shooters.
As the match went on, the ability of Fyfe and Whaites to win turnovers grew.
However, despite the defensive duos pressure, Tilah Buckingham presented strongly and showed she has a moving and holding game when required.
Imogen Walker was in the contest, taking some impressive balls and refused to concede to the physical pressure.
Lauren Duncan was steady and reliable, while the move of Jordyn Adams to centre is not without merit and with more time in the role, she looks set to make it her own.
Mourbey was a standout for the Demons with her willingness to contest every ball and her smarts with reading the play and hunting the interception.
Zoe Duncan also played her usual unheralded role, using her hands pressure and commitment to not allowing her player get to the best spots to make life tough.
In the end, the class of the Tigers shone through and while it was not the comprehensive victory they would have hoped for, credit must to go the Demons.
The next test for the Tigers will be a stern one – East Gambier.
