Picture: JAMES MURPHY
MILLICENT 71 d SOUTH GAMBIER 32
MILLICENT continued to stamp its authority on the Western Border Netball Association’s A Grade competition when it made light work of South Gambier in Saturday’s round-four meeting at Blue Lake Sports Park.
The victory was set up by a dominant first half, the scoreboard reading 40-11 at the long break.
Saints defenders Hayley Dunn and Hannah Nitschke did not allow South any time or space, continually turning over the ball, while the speed of Millicent’s transitions down the court were impressive, with Donna Denton and Demi Verbena finishing every opportunity.
Despite some unusual missed attempts, the duo snared the rebounds and Denton in particular was unstoppable, netting 45 goals in her three quarters on court.
Her opponent, Brandi Bouchier, was still one of the Demons’ best and she did create some turnover ball.
Millicent’s Lucy Denton started in the less familiar role of wing defence, but she took to the position immediately, working hard over the ball and using her pace through the middle of the court.
She connected well with Lisa Duldig and Paige Nitschke and there was little the Demons could do to stop the charge.
It was a more competitive second half by the Demons as Alyssa Duncan and Imogen Walker started to find space, but Dunn and Hannah Nitschke continued to make life tough for the hosts and
with Lucy Denton moving into centre and Duldig taking the wing defence bib, it remained hard for South to attack.
With Tori McIntyre still on the injured list and Alyssa Boylan and Georgia Hood also unavailable, it was the young Demons, Tara Bryant, Jess Earle – in goal shooter for her A Grade debut – and Duncan who had to try and find a way.
In the end it was a 39-goal win, with South winning the final, scrappy quarter, which saw Donna Denton leave the court and allow Sophie Ellis her second opportunity in the top grade this season.
