Pictures: FRANK MONGER
EAST 40 d NORTH 36
EAST Gambier broke through for its first win of the 2019 Western Border netball season with a hard fought four goal victory over North Gambier.
The tough physical contest started with an even opening term as both sides moved the ball with good pace to find their shooters in space.
No player took the ball without pressure, but both sides kept errors to a minimum in the 10-all quarter.
It was in the second term where East upped the ante with an improved effort all over the court to apply even more defensive pressure.
The results then came with some critical turnovers created in the centre third.
With Alisha Bryan and Olivia Patzel finishing with good accuracy, the Bulldogs realised they had to stop the supply before the goal third and they were able to achieve that and went into the half time break four goals clear.
The Tigers had three players make their A Grade debuts in the clash.
Ellen Brown started at wing attack, Alycia Close also had a stint on the attacking wing and Sarah Nulty stepped into the goal attack role in the final quarter.
The contest went goal-for-goal again in the third term before North made a change for the final quarter at the defensive end, with coach Noni McConnell moving back to keeper to give Maddie Whaites a shot at limiting the influence of Tenille Gray.
Not only was Gray her usual influential self in the contest, but her combination with Brittany Ross looks to already be on the improve.
With Ross also finding range on the shot, the Bulldogs looked dangerous every time they had the ball in the attacking goal third.
Arguably the damage was done at the start of the last quarter, when the Bulldogs rattled off the first four goals to enjoy a more comfortable eight-goal advantage.
That was important as the Tigers continued to fight back, getting the better of the contest for most of the final quarter, but falling four goals short.
Tyne Bosko shone in her first game for 2019 and her ability to win back the ball on the defensive wing was particularly critical in the frenetic final quarter in ensuring East hung on, while Gray was again the general of the attack end and finished with her usual accuracy.
Bryan looks to have settled nicely back into the top grade to find her trademark accuracy, while Whaites battled hard and Mel Renko was critical defensively and in transition.
