SCORING the opening seven goals of the game put Hatherleigh on the right foot when it played host to Port MacDonnell in Round 5 of Mid South East netball.
The Demons took time to settle and struggled to break through the Eagles’ full court defence.
Hatherleigh 53 d Port MacDonnell 30
Megan Hein and Darcy Kuhl worked tirelessly in the circle, but found scoring difficult due to the solid defensive duo of Maddie Redman and Lara McGregor.
However, Brooke Hawkins came into the game in the second term and causing turnovers, while Hein started to find range to keep Port MacDonnell in the contest.
But the seven-goal haul in the opening quarter had caused havoc for the Demons who still trailed by eight goals at the long break.
Sarah Faulkner and Kelsey Wight worked hard around the circle and were being rewarded with accurate shooting from Keston Green and Maddie Pulmer.
The third quarter saw Hatherleigh extend its lead through strong defence and quick transition back into attack.
Helen Hamilton provided plenty of drive through mid court for the Eagles and Port MacDonnell had little time to adjust.
Despite the final quarter turning into a more even affair, the Eagles still ran out comfortable 23-goal winners.
Green was a standout for Hatherleigh, missing just four goals for the game, while Faulkner was also at her best.
The Demons’ Hawkins and Hein were recognised for their efforts.
Mount Burr 60 d Robe 45
DESPITE a close start to the game, Mount Burr finished off strong to get the premiership points against Robe.
Both sides started the game with good defensive intensity, but it was the Mozzies who settled first.
Mount Burr’s Ebony Clark and Robe’s Sarah Laurie were shooting with accuracy for their respective sides, which meant little opportunity was wasted.
Neither side made changes heading into the second quarter, which saw a goal-for-goal opening few minutes.
However, the Roosters again capitalised on turnovers from Kimberley Austin and Laura Hawkins to get their side back within two goals.
The pressure to perform began to mount and the Mozzies began to feel it, missing scoring opportunities, which Sophie Wallis and Ann Guyett were working hard to get.
Both centres – Laura Schultz and Georgia Hunter – were having a solid battle through the middle, while both defensive ends were doing their best to cause turnovers.
Clark and Laurie remained focal points at goal shooter for their sides, while Schultz started to get on top with accurate passing into the goal circle for Mount Burr.
The Mozzies continued to put pressure all over the court, which created many turnovers and led to a solid lead heading into the last quarter.
Mount Burr’s defence was making it hard for the Robe goalies to get the ball in their circle, which created more turnovers.
Both teams worked hard right to the final whistle, but in the end it was the Mozzies who claimed the win.
Wallis and Schultz were stand outs for the winning side, while Laura Hawkins and Keryn Moore were recognised as best for Robe.
Tanatanoola 68 d Nangwarry 44
TANTANOOLA simply outplayed Nangwarry in the recent round of Mid South East netball.
While the game did start goal-for-goal, the Tigers soon stuck their claws into the contest.
Casey Walker came off the court early in the opening quarter due to illness, which unsettled Tantanoola early.
However, it was able to pull together through accurate shooting from Emma Gould and Jami Walker.
Nangwarry’s Cassie Dinnison and Malinda Markiewicz refused to let their scoring opportunities go to waste, which kept the Saints in the game.
Olivia Fuller went down late in the quarter, which saw her replaced by Simone Little at goal keeper.
Despite the disruption, the Tigers still held a two-goal lead at the first break.
Impressive defensive pressure through the mid court from Bri Scanlon, Kate Varcoe and Victoria Lucas was causing turnovers, which took the pressure off the Tigers on the scoreboard.
Nangwarry defenders Carly Ploenges and Tahlia Wilson worked overtime in the circle, but accurate feeding into the circle made it difficult for the duo to create turnovers.
By the main break Tantanoola had increased its lead to 10.
Nangwarry made a change heading into the third quarter, with Chloe Vanderhorst moving from centre into wing attack, swapping with Teresa Stewart.
The intensity dropped in the third quarter, but the Tigers were still able to convert on the scoreboard.
Heading into the final term Dinnison moved out to goal attack, while Markiewicz went back into goal shooter.
Accurate shooting by Markiewicz meant the match again went goal-for-goal in the opening minutes of the quarter, but Tantanoola’s defensive pressure soon increased, which allowed it to extend its lead by another five goals by the final whistle.
Tantanoola was best served by Kate Bromley and Gould, while Nangwarry’s Ploenges and Wilson were awarded for their efforts.
Kalangadoo 76 d Kongorong 46
KALANGADOO has continued its dominance in the Mid South East netball competition with yet another victory, this time over Kongorong.
Despite windy conditions in the opening quarter the Magpies settled quickly, leaving the Hawks behind early.
Kalangadoo’s Abbey Duncan and Melissa Russell were again at their best in the goal circle and as a result the Magpies led a 10-goal advantage at the first break.
In the second quarter, Kongorong come out and settled into its own game.
Great defensive pressure from Kongorong defenders Roxy Gibson and Jessie Little resulted in some turnovers, which were capitalised on.
The Hawks worked hard to keep a lid on the deficit, as Kalangadoo outscored them by just five, making the difference 15 at the long break.
Both sides kept up the intensity playing a short fast game.
Jayde Peacock played her usual controlled game in centre for the Magpies.
Her drive from defence into attack was difficult to stop.
Kalangadoo took the points but Kongorong were by no means disgraced.
A highlight of the game was the shooting by the goal attack’s Brittany McEvoy and Mellissa Russell.
Kalangadoo’s Russell and Peacock were named best, while Little and McEvoy were exceptional for Kongorong.
