DESPITE a close first half, North Gambier soon gained ascendancy over West Gambier at Malseed Park in Round 15 of Western Border netball on Saturday.
It was expected to be a tight contest – especially after West’s victory over Millicent – and the first quarter delivered as both sides used precise ball movement to find their goalers in space.
North Gambier 70 d West Gambier 45
An opportunity was rarely wasted, as all four goalers on court shot with accuracy.
It was literally a goal-for-goal battle with North taking a one-goal lead into the first break.
It was a similar story in the second quarter before a handful of turnovers allowed the Tigers to extend their lead to seven at the main break.
While the deficit had extended, the game was still in the balance, especially as Maddy Teakle, Amy Cram and Maggie Kipping made life tough for the Tigers forward line and created turnover ball.
Both Teakle and Cram disallowed Caroline Davey the easy ball, which flustered North’s attack in the first half.
However, they soon adjusted and came out firing in the third quarter.
The Tigers placed strong physical pressure on West and did now allow the Roos to find any rhythm.
Were it not for the continued hard work of Teakle, Cram and Kipping and the hard running of Jess Bell, the damage would have been worse, but at the final change it was a 12-goal game.
It was one way traffic in the last as the Tigers continued to put their bodies on the line to win the ball and access to Davey started to open up and the final margin was 25 goals.
It is hard to get a read on the final quarter, with the Roos seemingly taking their foot off the pedal in the last and with astute tacticians Lisa McGregor and Cram in the camp, they will certainly have a plan if they face the Tigers again in finals.
The first half showed great promise and Teakle, Cram and Kipping – who has settled back onto the defensive wing nicely after her mid-season holiday -could hold their head high as they did deny the Tigers their usual flow and speed of ball.
But in the end, Davey was still unstoppable and was supplied enough ball to post another match winning tally of her own.
Bell impacted both ends of the court, while McGregor and Tahlia Earl had a strong first half.
However, poor options in attack for the Roos in the second half allowed Jordyn Adams to take interceptions, while Maddie Whaites continued her strong form of the past month, rebounding strongly and playing some tough one-on-one defence.
Casterton Sandford 52 d South Gambier 43
CASTERTON Sandford has avoided the wooden spoon with a stirring win over South Gambier in Round 15 of Western Border netball on the weekend.
The Cats were led by a best on court performance from Madalene Cleary in goals, while Haylee Rhook turned back the clock to drive hard to the circle’s edge and prove to be a key mid courter for Casterton Sandford.
South got the better of the start and quickly moved to a 5-1 lead with some sure ball movement and relentless defensive pressure right down the court, forcing the Cats into error with defenders Alyssa Boylan and Zoe Duncan were quick to pounce.
But Casterton Sandford settled, as Tayla Guthrie and Sharna Fidler started to find their chemistry – having not played together this season – while Ellen Bowman started to create some turnover ball through the middle and Tori Perry and Cleary started to work well to set up opportunities for each other.
South did maintain an advantage though and enjoyed a two-goal quarter-time lead.
However, it was in the second term, that the Cats set up the win.
They dominated the quarter, winning it by nine to set up a seven-goal half-time buffer.
Perry and Cleary were unstoppable, Perry converting seven straight and Cleary netting 10-from-12 as they rewarded the defensive efforts of Bowman.
Scarlett Jarrad, Fidler – who worked the ground well – and Guthrie, who dominated the air.
The Cats’ dominance saw the Demons swing changes.
Georgia Hood moved to goal shooter, Imogen Walker to goal attack, after she was arguably one of her team’s best in the opening half on the attacking wing and brought Caitlin Grubb into wing attack.
Duncan and Boylan also switched bibs.
The Demons ran with the Cats in the third, but could make no impact on the scoreboard and the Cats maintained the rage in the last quarter to win it by two and ensure they finished fifth in 2017 with a nine-goal victory.
Cleary was again dominant in that final quarter, converting 13-from-16 as she moved up her holding game and ability to drive the base.
Rhook and Bowman were outstanding in transition, while Fidler and Guthrie pounced on any loose feeds or missed goals.
Duncan and Boylan worked overtime in defence, while Walker and Hood proved a good combination in goals once they settled in the final quarter, with Walker netting eight-from-nine, but in the end it was a disappointing outing for the Demons, while the Cats could not be faulted.
Millicent 86 d East Gambier 39
IT was expected Millicent would bounce back in its Round 15 clash with East Gambier in Round 17 of Western Border netball and the Saints achieved their goal.
Millicent won the first quarter against an undermanned Bulldogs outfit by 17 goals and effectively ended any hopes of East posting a strong challenge to the reigning premiers.
Donna Denton returned to the court in style, nailing 15-from-15 in the opening stanza, while at the other end, opportunities were few and far between and often difficult to convert.
East knew it was going to be a challenge when prior commitments precluded Tenille Gray from taking the court.
The star goaler has been a key player in transition for East, as well as the taller target in the shooting circle and her absence was keenly felt and also required some serious reworking of the attacking end of the court.
Sara Smith took the goal attack bib with youngster Caitlin McMahon on the attacking wing – where she debuted earlier this season – but against the defensive pressure of Hayley Dunn, Kimmi Varcoe and Madi Turner, the lack of experience at the East offensive end really told.
Despite taking some strong balls and driving well to make the most of her pace, McMahon was replaced by Morgan Amy at quarter time to try and add a strong voice and some leadership to the front three and that allowed Sharna McKinnon to earn her A Grade call up at goal keeper.
Obviously a baptism of fire for the young defender to take on Denton, who was clearly on a mission, but she acquitted herself well for the final three quarters as she showed great tenacity and promise.
The changes certainly made a difference with the second quarter seeing the Saints only extend their advantage by a further seven goals, which resulted in a 24-goal half time margin.
Smith certainly settled in the second quarter, netting eight-from-nine as she started to find good space.
At the main break, Millicent took the opportunity to rest Lisa Duldig, who is still battling a knee injury, moving Turner into the middle, bringing Hannah Nitschke onto the attacking wing for Paige Nitschke, and moving Varcoe to the defensive wing and replacing her at goal defence with Madi Haggett.
The changes did little to change the momentum of the contest and while East continued to try and ramp up the defensive pressure – an aspect of the game the Bulldogs pride themselves on – the speed of ball from the Saints continued making life tough.
Bo Creek showed great desperation all game and was the main player responsible for any turnovers created by East, along with debutante McKinnon.
However, despite the duo’s efforts, Denton continued her scoring spree, Turner used her pace to great effect and Demi Verbena’s smarts and strong connection with Denton also made life tough for the East defensive end.
Lock certainly won more ball in the second half and found her radar, ensuring the rare scoring opportunities ended up the scoreboard but in the end, it was a day to forget for the Bulldogs and they will welcome back Gray for this weekend’s clash with North Gambier.
