NORTH Gambier struggled to keep up with its highly-fancied opponent in Round 15 of Western Border netball, with the reigning champions recording a 25-goal victory at Vansittart Park.
It was always going to be a test for the Tigers, lining up without in-form goalie Caroline Davey.
As a result of Davey’s absence, Kaitlin Smith entered the goal circle with youngster Ellie Gould.
Smith’s strong positioning and toughness caused headaches for the Saints.
At the first change, courtesy of some strong defensive efforts from Maddie Whaites and Lisa Fyfe and the tenacity of Smith, North held a two-goal lead.
The Saints settled in the second, tidying up their ball use and finding their defensive “mojo” as they adjusted to the different style of play presented by Smith and Gould.
Dunn started to become a factor and the turnovers came, allowing Millicent to find its way back into the lead.
Despite the Saints’ comeback, as Audine Bryant and Keah Lynch started to use their speed to great effect, Millicent still only held a four-goal half time lead.
The key issue for the Tigers in that quarter was lack of supply with the North shooting duo only taking eight shots for the quarter.
It was in the third the floodgates opened.
Bryant and Lisa Duldig swapped bibs and that always adds a new dynamic to the attacking play of the Saints, while Lynch started to own the baseline and dominate possession.
Dunn continued to cause headaches at the other end and Varcoe also started to find her feet against an opponent she had never faced before.
Millicent also had Madi Turner missing with Hannah Nitschke again stepping up – taking on North’s call up Sarah Edwards in a good battle all day.
The 19-7 third quarter scoreline blew the game apart and with a 16-goal lead going into the last, the Saints were overwhelmingly in control.
Bryant and Lynch continued to run riot in the last term as Dunn continued to influence the contest.
Smith stood tall, hitting nine of the Tigers’ 11-goal, while Whaites never gave up all day against Donna Denton.
It will now come down to which team can put together the most consistent four quarters come second semi-final day on September 9.
Final score: Millicent 63 d North Gambier 38
EAST Gambier took time to find its rhythm, but in the second half, powered away to take a 20-goal win over South Gambier in Round 15 of Western Border netball.
The error ridden contest, characterised by defensive pressure from both teams, saw East eventually secure the win courtesy of superior accuracy, with Tenille Gray putting in a best on court performance.
The star goal attack scored 37 from 41 and was a strong target in the shooting circle, although that being said, South defenders Alyce Mourbey and Alannah Campbell worked hard all day and did still manage to create turnover ball.
Gray was outstanding, though, and after the Bulldogs were only six goals clear at half time, the young goal attack took control of the contest, netting 11-from-12, in the quarter that blew the game open and saw the third-ranked side head into the final quarter 16-goals clear.
South did create comparable scoring opportunities, but the pressure over the shot from Brenna McKay and Bo Creek forced the shooting errors and the duo basically rebounded every missed opportunity.
The second quarter was the Demons best as Tilah Buckingham showed great timing on the move and converted 10-from-11 as the Demons finished 12-all for the term.
Campbell and Mourbey were the architects of the turnover ball, while Zoe Duncan worked hard to deny easy access to the shooting circle and was a key in transition through the mid court.
It was Tyne Bosko in the first quarter that set up the early lead for East as she continually intercepted balls on the circle’s edge.
The youngster then linked up with Tarsh McCallum, who was again pivotal through the middle, before leaving the court late in the last, due to, what appears to be a minor injury that will not keep her from the final round clash with West Gambier.
Buckingham was again prominent in the last quarter despite what was great pressure from Creek, who is heading into finals in outstanding form.
McKay was also influential, both defensively and driving through the mid court, while Lock did a mountain of work outside the circle but still finished accurately.
Jordyn Adams continues to grow as a mid courter and even took the goal attack bib in the final quarter and found some good ball.
Mourbey and Campbell have proved to be an impressive combination and they again ensured the east shooting combination had to work hard for possession and they were able to create enough turnover ball to keep their side in the contest, particularly in the first half.
Final score: East Gambier 55 d South Gambier 35
WEST Gambier returned to the winners list when hosting Casterton Sandford in Round 15 of Western Border netball on Saturday.
However, it was not all smooth sailing for the Roos who trailed at quarter time.
But this time West rallied, responding in the second quarter to take control of the contest with Casterton Sandford.
Missing key defender Nicole Butler – who was a late withdrawal from the line-up – it took the combination of Amy Cram and Maddy Teakle – who played together in 2016 – to find their synergy, but after quarter time.
The duo was able to make things really tough for the Cats forward line and Teakle grasped her opportunity back in the A Grade side by emerging as her team’s best player in the 14-goal win.
It would have been a more convincing scoreline were it not for inaccuracy in the final quarter, where the Roos again dominated possession.
The first quarter saw both sides able to play strong offensive games and with Gaby Tomkins making good connections with Tori Perry and Madalene Cleary, it was the Cats that enjoyed the better of the early going, securing a narrow lead at the first break.
That all changed in the second quarter with Teakle and Cram starting to dominate the air and creating turnover ball that eluded them in the opening quarter.
With Olivia McEvoy running hard through the middle and Lisa McGregor and Tahlia Earl making strong position and taking the ball strongly despite the close physical pressure from Cats coach Steph Drogemuller, the Roos were able to start to build a lead and by the main break they were well in control.
The third quarter was an arm wrestle, similar to the first, with Carly Trevilyan denying easy access to the circle’s edge and Teakle and Cram continuing to deny the Cats shooters any time or space.
Cleary, though, made the most of her limited opportunities to give her side hope of an upset victory, but West was in no mood to drop another game ahead of the finals and they were able to maintain control and pick up the premiership points.
Butler is expected to return to the line this weekend when the Roos face the Bulldogs in the final minor round, as well as then facing off again in the first semi-final.
Final score: West Gambier 49 d Casterton Sandford 35
