THE 2017 Mid South East Netball Association grand final rematch between Kalangadoo and Hatherleigh certainly lived up to expectations on Saturday.
The difference was just 14 goals at the final whistle, which is a significant improvement for the Eagles.
Kalangadoo 55 d Hatherleigh 41
Kalangadoo was without both Shauni Cunningham or Georgia Duncan, which resulted in changes to the starting line-up.
Abbey Duncan hit the court at wing attack, while Sarah Croser put on the goal shooter bib.
Youngster Chelsea Croser played her first A Grade game for the season at wing defence, while Hatherleigh gave Lara McGregor the tough task of attempting to curb the influence of Melissa Russell.
The Eagles were relentless in the opening minutes and managed to pile on an impressive five goals, before the Magpies could reply.
Kalangadoo took time to settle with its new line-up and Hatherleigh applied tight defensive pressure, which caused a number of turnovers.
The weather conditions were not ideal for goalies.
However, Keston Green still managed to score nine goals, from 10 attempts in the first quarter and Kalangadoo found itself three goals down at quarter time.
The second term saw Kalangadoo start to find some more space in attack.
Jayde Peacock and Russell were running hard to give their side a chance at the game, despite the intense pressure from their opponents.
Kelsey Wight was also influential in Hatherleigh’s attack line and fed well into Green and Maddie Pulmer.
But despite the Eagles’ best efforts Kalangadoo was able to level the scores by the long break.
The Magpies made changes, bringing Narelle Ryan into the wing defence position, while Kylie Schultz entered the game at wing attack, which freed up Duncan to return to her more familiar goal shooter position.
Hatherleigh remained unchanged, which swung the momentum into Kalangadoo’s camp and it was able to pile on nine goals.
The experience of both Ryan and Schultz had an immediate impact on the game and the Magpies continued to build on their lead for the remainer of the match.
Hatherleigh made some changes coming into the final quarter, bringing Jess Bowman on at goal keeper, which allowed Maddie Redman to take on Russell at goal defence.
However, the Eagles were unable to claw back the margin and Kalangadoo took the honours by 14.
Glencoe 43 d Mount Burr 40
JUST three goals separated Glencoe and Mount Burr in less than ideal weather on Saturday.
The strong winds meant passing errors and turnovers were aplenty for both sides in the opening quarter.
Tight defence and solid rebounding from the Murphies’ Caitlin Liebich and Sarah Edwards kept the hosts in the game as pressure from Mount Burr’s Sophie Wallis and Anne Guyett caused headaches for Glencoe.
However, the Murphies lifted in the second quarter.
Accurate shooting from Ebony McDiarmid, along with some timely intercepts and rebounds from the Glencoe defenders and impressive feeding from Jessie Gosden – in her 200th game for the club – handed the Murphies a seven-goal advantage at the main break.
Glencoe made changes, moving Gosden to wing defence and Jordy Jones into centre, while Mount Burr stuck with its original side.
The Mozzies worked tirelessly in the third to reel in the deficit to just two goals heading into the final stanza.
The match-up between Mount Burr goal attack Hayley Agnew and Glencoe goal defence Edwards was one to watch.
An exciting last quarter was expected and it did not disappoint as all 14 players on court played hard tight-checking netball.
The defensive pressure of Edwards and Liebich saw turnovers created, which allowed Chantelle Cocks and McDiarmid to capitalise in the goal circle.
However, Mount Burr’s Ebony Clark was doing similar damage with some impressive long-range shots under pressure.
Despite the Mozzies’ best efforts, Glencoe was able to hold on and secure the win 43-40.
Tantanoola 54 d Kongorong 37
DESPITE a four-quarter effort from Kongorong, Tantanoola was too strong in the tough conditions on the weekend.
The Tigers started well and scoring the opening goal, while applying immense defensive pressure, which forced the Hawks into making errors.
Tantanoola capitalised on every opportunity through accurate shooting and held a 13-goal lead at the first break.
Kongorong made changes to its attack line at quarter time and it began to bounce back into the game.
The Hawks were working overtime in defence in hope to claw back the deficit, but Tantanoola held its own and increased its lead to 14 goals by the main break.
Kongorong came out firing and ready to take control of the game.
It was able to capitalise on errors made by the Tigers and were able to peg back the deficit to 10 by the final break.
Tantanoola had no intentions on handing the game over and showed patience in attack to give its goals the best opportunity to score.
Kongorong battle hard, but the Tigers were able to extend their lead to 23 by the final whistle.
Port MacDonnell 49 d Nangwarry 39
PORT MacDonnell claimed its first win of the season with a 10-goal victory over Nangwarry.
The Saints entered the clash with an unsettle side, which gave the Demons a height advantage in the goal circle.
Port MacDonnell started well and its goalies were shooting with accuracy despite the tough weather conditions.
Both sides had opportunities to score, but the Demons’ conversion rate handed them a six-goal quarter-time lead.
The second term started scrappy, but Nangwarry was the first side to settle.
Its goalies combined well, which gave saw their confidence increase, along with their defensive pressure all over court.
The Saints’ defenders Cassie Dinnsion and Carly Ploenges were making life tough for their opponents.
However, Megan Hein soon stepped up her intensity at goal attack to help her side increase their lead to 10 by the long break.
Nangwarry had no intentions on allowed Port MacDonnell to run away with the game and increased its defensive pressure all over court, once again.
The Saints – led by Malinda Markiewicz – handled the wet conditions well.
Dani McKinnon also made good position in Nangwarry’s attack line, while the Saints’ Chloe Vanderhorst and the Demons’ Libby Howe-Morgan had a good tussle in centre.
Tahlia Wilson started to create more space in the circle, which had Port MacDonnell defenders on the back foot, while Nangwarry’s Teresa Stewart fought hard to create turnovers.
The quality quarter saw Nangwarry outscore the Demons by three goals to bring the deficit back to seven.
Again, the intensity lifted in the final quarter as both sides were desperate to gain the upper-hand.
Both sides began to make mistakes, but it was Port MacDonnell who was able to settle.
Hein was the focal point for the Demons, who eventually came away with a 10-goal victory.
