THERE were no surprises at Island Park on Saturday with Western Border Netball Association reigning premiers Millicent getting the job done comfortably against Casterton Sandford.
Injury and player unavailability has made this a long season for the Cats and new coach Steph Drogemuller, but despite the 29-goal loss, it was an improvement on the last time the two met.
The speed of Keah Lynch and Audine Bryant caused headaches for Casterton Sandford, along with the reliability of Lisa Duldig, Madi Turner’s commitment to her role on the defensive wing and
the relentless defensive pressure from Kimmi Varcoe and Hayley Dunn.
The Cats were competitive in the opening quarter, capitalising on some miss-feeds from the Saints and stayed in touch before the reigning champions were able to build a lead.
The work rate and accuracy of Tori Perry was key for the Cats and the talented goaler was hitting her shots from long range, while Natalie Rhook was also key in transition and in delivering the ball safely to Perry and Madalene Cleary.
The second term saw the Saints start to find their synergy and as a result the ball movement was quicker and more accurate, seeing the scoring increase, the errors decrease, and the Cats were left to make the most of their rare opportunities, with Perry again providing the necessary accuracy.
It was in the third that Millicent took control as the defensive intensity worked its way to a level usually expected from the Saints.
Dunn and Varcoe started to have an influence as Casterton Sandford struggled to move the ball from the centre pass receive into the goal third.
Turner got her hands to a number of balls and Bryant, who played the final three quarters of the match in centre, was also creating turnovers with strong hands around the defensive circle.
Bryant then used her speed to great effect, connecting well with Duldig on the attacking wing with Lynch and Denton finding plenty of space in good range.
Scarlet Jarrad showed her usual commitment to denying opponents easy access to the circle and she worked hard to help in offence as well, but the weight of possession and good understanding between the Saints front four, meant the scoreboard kept ticking over.
Final score: Millicent 75 d Casterton Sandford 36
DESPITE South Gambier scoring the opening three goals of the game, North Gambier finished its impressive 2017 Western Border netball home and away season with yet another victory.
The Demons were competitive for the first half.
However, with key shooter Tilah Buckingham forced from the court with illness, the Tigers emerged, seeing the second half score of 39-10 and making for a comprehensive victory.
It was disappointing end for South – who under debut coach Lauren Duncan – had enjoyed a strong month.
North’s Lisa Fyfe was supreme and Maddie Whaites cleaned up the miss-feeds that got past her defensive partner, while at the other end, Ellie Gould recovered from a tentative first quarter to convert 19 from 22 to show she could well be the “X-factor” come finals time.
Because we come to expect it from Caroline Davey, it often barely rates a mention but the Tigers spearhead was unstoppable, despite the best efforts of Alannah Campbell and Alyce Mourbey, shooting with perfect accuracy in the first and last and finishing the game with 47 from 50.
Mel Renko, another player from whom we expect high standards that she often is not highlighted, not only did her usual stopping role, she created turnover ball and was a key driving force through the mid court.
Then there was the consistency of Amanda O’Shaughnessy and Kaitlin Smith on the feed, and it was always going to be a tough ask for the Demons.
But the South line-up has showed promise in 2017 and with another season into the likes of Buckingham, Imogen Walker, who has arguably been the most consistent of the South A Grade line-up, Zoe Duncan, who is tenacious and versatile, and Jordyn Adams, who has played in every area of the court and shows real promise in the middle, will stand the Demons in good stead.
Duncan will have learned from her first foray into senior coaching and brings a strong voice to the young line-up on court, while Mourbey thrived on her return to the defensive circle in the second half of the season.
Her combination with Campbell is undersized on the taller goalers but their willingness to contest and ability to work together showed real promise.
But in the end, North gave up only 15 attempts in the second half, while enjoying 42 of their own and the Tigers know the Saints are not beyond their reach.
Final score: North Gambier 68 d South Gambier 29
JUST three goals was the difference at the final whistle in the dress rehearsal for the 2017 Western Border netball first semi-final between East Gambier and West Gambier.
The Bulldogs have now beaten the Roos all four times they have faced off this season, but with only three games separating the two, the stage is set for an epic first semi-final this weekend.
Both sides brought a finals type intensity to the opening quarter and it did produce some errors.
For West, working their way around Morgan Amy at wing attack was one challenge, as was having their preferred starting seven for the first time in a fortnight and getting the timing and chemistry needed to produce a strong performance.
At the first break, East held a two-goal lead but the Bulldogs appeared to step it up a notch in the second and by half time that advantage was eight.
East’s mid court pressure, combined with some bad decision making and execution from the Roos, saw East take control of the contest.
Tenille Gray was a focal point for the East forward line and the teenager didn’t let them down, as Brenna McKay, Tarsh McCallum and Tyne Bosko were able to be relentless with their one on one defensive efforts to create plenty of turnover ball.
Fortunately for the Roos, Amy Cram, Nicole Butler and Carly Trevilyan were able to also get their hands on enough ball to ensure the scoreline didn’t blow out, and that was fortunate, as West came out after the break on fire.
If the second quarter was all about the Bulldogs, the third quarter was all about the Roos.
After trailing by as many as 10 goals in that second quarter, only pulling back the deficit with a couple of late goals, the Roos played the kind of netball, they know they can, and the quality of player on their list suggest they can.
The 17-11 quarter had the game back in the balance, as West showed incredible patience in attack, as well as finishing accurately, and started to really cause some havoc defensively.
Cram and Butler came into their own in the third and set up a stack of possession for the Roos, while Lisa McGregor and Tahlia Earl received improved service with the Roos feeders delivering the ball as soon as they saw a viable option and not allowing McKay and Bo Creek time to shut down the space.
With only two goals separating the two rivals at the final change, the final quarter was set to be frenetic and it was.
Realising the implications for the rematch this weekend in the knock out semi final, the last quarter was relentless in its intensity and in the end, it was the finishing of the respective sides that decided the final result.
East was able to secure a three-goal win, but both sides would enter this weekend confident they can extend their season.
West had more scoring shots, so they know they can generate the scoring opportunities.
East had Tyne Bosko under an injury cloud after tweaking her ankle in her junior game, eventually taking the youngster from the court in the final quarter and bringing Sara Smith into the fray on the attacking wing and moving Amy back to her comfort zone at wing defence.
Both sides will use the weekend to craft a game plan to come out on top this weekend and it looms as tense, classic battle.
Final score: East Gambier 49 d West Gambier 46
