Football: Magpies soar in league debut

NO FEAR: East Gambier’s Neave Delaney looks to make a handball as she is tackled by Glencoe All Stars’ Kate Tomkins. Pictures: JAMES MURPHY

ROUND 1 of the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League season kicked off on Friday night, with the eight-team lineup going head-to-head in four consecutive games at Vansittart Park.

Making its debut in the women’s league, Kalangadoo showed its strength as it claimed a win over West Gambier in the first game.

This was followed by a meeting between the Glencoe All Stars – formerly the All Stars – and East Gambier, which saw the latter with the honours.

Match three saw the second debut for 2018, with Kybybolite proving it will be one to watch, as it took care of reigning premiers South Gambier in an upset result.

However, the least expected outcome came from the final game, which saw Millicent in full flight, holding its North Gambier hosts to a scoreless match, while it bagged an impressive 72 points for the win.

Kalangadoo 2.4-16 d WEST Gambier 0.1-1

KALANGADOO started strong in its first game in the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League, as it scored 12 of its total 16 points in the opening term.

Chloe Pratt and Anthea Paterson kicked a goal each in the first quarter, while West was only able to convert a minor score.

This was the only impact the Roos had on the scoreboard for the game, with the Magpies holding them at bay for the remaining three quarters, while adding four minors to their own tally.

Pratt was the standout for the new team, as she not only converted a major, but was named best-on-ground for the Magpies.

She was joined by former South player Paris Ackland at the top of the list, along with Tara Jeffree and Holly Watson.

Cody Millard was the best-on-ground for West, as she played a solid game despite her team’s loss, while Lesley MacDonald, Samantha Fox and Tiia Pelkonen were also among the top players for the round.

This weekend will see games held at Malseed Park on Sunday, with Kalangadoo set to face Kybybolite and West to take on the Tigers.

East Gambier 4.3-27 d Glencoe 1.4-10

THE Bulldogs’ bite was too much for the Glencoe All Stars in the second game of the round, as East secured a 17-point win over its opponent.

Going into the first break, Glencoe sat on eight points to East’s six, but from there on the Bulldogs took control.

The second term saw another major for East, which was accompanied by two minors to see the side six points clear going into the long break.

Glencoe managed two minors in the third, but a goal to the Bulldogs kept them in front.

The final quarter finished with another major and minor score for East, while Glencoe remained scoreless for the term.

Nic Collins and Mahli Pannenberg led the way on the scoreboard for the Bulldogs, as both finished with two goals, while Simone Macdonald kicked the only major for Glencoe.

Kiara Beck was named as best-on-ground for East and was accompanied by the likes of Bo Creek, Sharna McKinnon and Collins.

For Glencoe, Libby Howe-Morgan was best, while Kate Tomkins was also recognised for her determined efforts, along with Madi Zuijdveld, Shelby Auld and Sarah Edwards.

Round 2 will see East meet with the Demons, while Glencoe will take on Millicent.

Kybybolite 2.2-14 d South Gambier 1.1-7

IN the upset of the round, Kybybolite made a solid impression in its debut match, claiming a seven-point victory over reigning premiers South.

The opening term saw the debutante lead by six points, with a goal and a minor score to its name.

Kybybolite backed this up in the second term with another major score, while the Demons were also able to put a goal on the board before half time.

However, this was the final score for South.

Kybybolite only scored a single minor in the second half, but the damage had already been done and it took home the win.

Hayley Smart excelled for the victors, as she claimed a major and best-on-ground.

She was joined by Casey Mcelroy, who also converted a goal and made the best players list, along with the likes of Dellie Brown and Sarah Ottoson-Crossling.

For South, Jasmine White performed well, claiming a goal and the best-on-ground honours, while Tess Clark and Claudia Edmonds were also among the list.

Kybybolite will face another big task this week when it takes on Kalangadoo, while South will hope to put a win on the board when it battles the Bulldogs.

Millicent 11.6-72 d North Gambier 0.0-0

MILLICENT recorded the largest score to date in the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League when it dominated its North Gambier opposition in the final game of the round.

With Kristie Rowe bagging an impressive four goals and Olivia Fuller scoring three for the match, the Tigers were no match for the talented side.

Add to this a major each from Lucy Barber, Kelsie Wilkinson, Jami Walker and Carly Knaggs and the Saints’ depth was overwhelming.

The first quarter saw Millicent already with three majors and two minors, an achievement it doubled in the second term.

Going into the long break with a 41-point lead, the Saints continued to impress in the second half.

Three majors and a minor in the third saw the side with a 60-point margin going into the final term, before it rounded out its total with another two goals.

Wilkinson was the best-on-ground for the Saints and she was joined by goal-kickers Rowe, Fuller and Barber, along with Shelby Serle and Jamey Grgetic.

Lorrelle Walker was named as best for the Tigers and she was joined by the likes of Kimberly McKinnon, Ella Firth and Samantha Scott.

North will go into Round 2 with a point to prove and will take to Malseed Park with the hope to make an impact against the West Gambier hosts, while Millicent will looke to replicate its performance when it faces Glencoe.

UNDER PRESSURE: West Gambier’s Sharni Jacques manages to kick the ball free under heavy pressure from her Kalangadoo opposition.