Bulldogs surge with late charge

East V South Gambier Football & Netball TBW Newsgroup
INTRIGUING BATTLE: East Gambier's Morgan Amy moved out of defence to take the wing attack bib and enjoyed an intriguing battle with South Gambier youngster Riley Buckingham in round five of Western Border netball on Saturday. Picture: FRANK MONGER

East V South Gambier Football & Netball TBW Newsgroup
INTRIGUING BATTLE: East Gambier’s Morgan Amy moved out of defence to take the wing attack bib and enjoyed an intriguing battle with South Gambier youngster Riley Buckingham in round five of Western Border netball on Saturday. Picture: FRANK MONGER

EAST GAMBIER 74 d SOUTH GAMBIER 32

EAST Gambier might have been without new shooting recruit Brittany Ross for its round five Western Border netball clash with South Gambier, but the Bulldogs did not miss a beat.

They dominated the opening quarter and never took their foot off the pedal.

It was the Tenille Gray show as the star goaler, who is the competition’s reigning best and fairest player, worked hard up court and also positioned well in the shooting circle.

The supply she received from Sara Smith, who took the goal shooter bib and played her role to perfection, was outstanding.

Smith cleared space for the star goal attack and fed with precision, but she also demanded the ball and finished with good accuracy when the opportunity presented.

Morgan Amy moved out of defence and took the wing attack bib and her battle with youngster Riley Buckingham, who had her best game since her debut in A Grade this season, was intriguing.

Tarsh McCallum was outstanding, running hard both ways and was equally damaging as a defender as she was with her strong drives and accurate feeding in attack.

The Bulldogs led comfortably at every change and the final 42-goal margin reflected their dominance.

Tyne Bosko was also a key for the Bulldogs, making life tough for Toru McIntyre, who returned from a serious ankle injury for her first game for 2019.

Bosko created plenty of turnovers, but also proved to be critical on the drive when East had possession.

Jacinta Clark took the goal defence bib and while she was able to get some early touches, South’s Imogen Walker was clearly her side’s best.

Her work rate was second to none on both teams.

She found good space and brought debutante Ella McIntyre into the game where possible.

McIntyre certainly showed promising signs in her first match as an A Grade netballer, with South covering the loss of Georgia Hood, Alyssa Duncan, Tara Bryant and Alyssa Boylan, who is now out for the season.

Sharna McKinnon gained more experience in A Grade company for East and her battle with McIntyre was a glimpse into the future.

McKinnon worked hard over the shot and rebounded strongly, but East was just too polished in attack.

Gray and McCallum dominated and were relentless in their defensive pressure all over the court.

South was always going to struggle with such an untried combination and the Demons will look to get their whole squad back on court this week to prepare for their clash with Casterton Sandford.