WEST Gambier troubled second-ranked North Gambier without walking away with the premiership points in Round 13 of Western Border netball on Saturday.
Missing newly-promoted goal attack Ellie Gould who was sidelined with an ankle injury, the Tigers came out of the blocks firing, reeling off five unanswered goals before the Roos settled.
In the end it was the Roos who got the better of the opening stanza, leading by two at the first change.
West ensured it worked the ball meticulously to the circle’s edge before feeding the ball into Tahlia Earl and Lisa McGregor.
Usually Tiger defenders Lisa Fyfe and Maddie Whaites are able to influence a contest early with some timely interceptions, but the Roos concentrated on denying them chances to disrupt.
The second quarter followed a similar script as West worked the ball with patience and used angles in offence while North looked to Caroline Davey for its scoring.
Amanda O’Shaughnessy took the goal attack bib in Gould’s absence and Ashlea Edwards filled the wing attack role, with Kaitlin Smith moving to the middle, so synergy in attack was always going to be an issue.
With the smarts of Amy Cram and Nicole Butler, the Tigers were not finding access to their shooters with ease.
They did, however, find themselves one goal clear at the main break.
Phoebe Douglas entered the clash to give North fresh legs on the attacking wing in the second half but Carly Trevilyan – one of the most tight-checking wing defenders in the competition – got the better of both her opponents with her commitment to denying time and space.
Lisa McGregor was also a key for the Roos, playing her usual role as offensive general and keeping Fyfe in check.
West also returned to a game where McGregor and Earl shared shooting duties equally and by three quarter time it was still only a one-goal lead to the Tigers.
As it did against East Gambier in the previous round, North seemed to find another gear in the final term.
Its physical pressure increased and it seemed to get its hands on a few more balls around the circle which led to turnovers.
The Tigers moved Smith into the shooting circle, with O’Shaughnessy taking back her usual role in the middle.
O’Shaughnessy seemed to provide some good drive and Smith brought a physical presence to the goal attack role, also converting three from four to be a factor.
In the final wash up, a seven-goal margin favouring the Tigers ensued, but the Roos walked away with the belief they are genuine contenders in the 2017 finals series.
For North, to get away with a win without its preferred starting seven was a good sign as the finals approach.
EAST Gambier did what it needed to in its clash with Casterton Sandford – secured a comfortable win.
That was achieved without star shooter Sarah Lock in the second half, with the key Bulldog sidelined by an Achilles strain.
The Bulldogs started strongly, applying relentless defensive pressure and showing better patience in offence than they have in recent rounds.
It saw them set up an eight-goal quarter time buffer and it only built from there.
The second quarter followed a similar script, as East looked to stamp its authority on the contest.
Lock and Tenille Gray were rewarding their team mates with some accurate finishing and the pace and drive from Tarsh McCallum was proving critical.
With Lock exiting the contest, it was up to young gun Sara Smith to move from the attacking wing and into the shooting circle and the youngster stepped up as required.
She created space for Gray and the combination worked seamlessly, translating from the junior court to A Grade ranks.
Tyne Bosko also entered the contest, taking on the defensive wing and having an influence with her ability to disrupt the efforts of the Cats feeders.
Morgan Amy moved to the less familiar territory of wing attack, but her strength on the take and work rate showed the move was not without merit.
The significant changes did make for a scrappy start to the third quarter, but things did settle again for the Bulldogs and while it was not a big increase, East did continue to stretch its lead beyond the 20-goal mark.
In the final quarter the changes seemed to click and east was able to continue to dominate.
Brenna McKay led the way for the entire four quarters, hunting the intercept, working hard over the shot and refusing to be out-rebounded.
McCallum was pivotal with her on court leadership, pace and accuracy on delivery.
The Cats were still without key mid-courter Gaby Tomkins, but were able to utilise the skills of Tayla Guthrie, who also played A Reserve, but in the end, the Bulldogs were too strong.
Natalie Rhook was her usual consistent self, while Tori Perry continues to work hard and make the most of her limited opportunities at goal shooter.
MILLICENT netballers continued to show no mercy in Round 13 of Western Border netball, securing a comprehensive 56-goal victory over South Gambier at McLaughlin Park on Saturday.
Despite losing Kimmi Varcoe and Audine Bryant during the contest, the Saints proved unstoppable, with Keely Venn entering the contest at half time and Nat Potter making her A Grade debut late in the final quarter.
It all started from the opening whistle with Hayley Dunn on fire in the first quarter, thwarting a number of forward forays by South.
Once Dunn got things going the Saints way, the ball movement from Lisa Duldig and Audine Bryant was so slick the Demon defenders did not stand a chance.
Donna Denton and Keah Lynch piled on the goals – 21 in the opening term – as the Saints took complete control.
Things remained the same in the second, with Varcoe creating turnovers while Dunn’s work over the shot was influential.
Imogen Walker worked overtime at goal attack and her front cuts and finishing ensured the Demons had some impact on the scoreboard.
Zoe Duncan recovered from a tough opening quarter against Bryant to make life tough for the quality wing attack.
At the main break, Varcoe opted to rest her knee, seeing Turner moving to goal defence, Duldig to the defensive wing, Bryant to centre, Lynch to wing attack and Venn into goal attack.
The changes did little to halt the Saints momentum, with Duldig and Bryant combining to create a number of turnovers before the ball even reached the Demons shooting circle.
South also swung the half-time changes with Jordyn Adams moved from centre back to the defensive circle, Alyce Mourbey taking on the defensive wing and Zoe Duncan in centre.
But nothing could stem the Saints’ scoring and after a shaky few minutes, Venn found her rhythm with Denton and the scoring onslaught continued.
Bryant left the court with a strained calf during the final quarter but the Saints kept marching on.
Duldig was supreme throughout the contest, reliable in offence and defence.
Denton was unstoppable, although Alannah Campbell never gave up trying to make life tough for the Saints shooters and she was a key in transition.
Turner was also prominent and the Saints lost nothing when she moved into the defensive circle.
Walker continues to loom as a star of the future with her work rate and strength.
The young Demons and their first-year coach Lauren Duncan do show enough to suggest the future could be bright.
