A GRADE – Lucindale 45 d Penola 40
PENOLA A Grade netballers suffered a close defeat at the hands of Lucindale on Saturday in round 11 of Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara netball.
Conditions were less than ideal at Lucindale, but the final result was up in the air for the full four quarters.
It was tight for the entire game, with some strong contested work by Lucindale throughout the court, which forced the Eagles to adjust their normal style of play.
Scores were level heading into the final stanza, which set up an intriguing quarter of netball.
The home side got first jump and capitalised on errors to open a seven-goal margin.
However, Penola kept fighting to the final whistle and closed the margin, to go down by five.
Best player for Penola was Gorgia Robbie.
A RESERVE – Penola 50 d Lucindale 37
ROUND 11 of Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara netball was fruitful for the Penola A Reserves side.
The Eagles claimed a strong 13-goal win over Lucindale, but not without a fight.
Penola trailed by one goal at quarter time, one of only three quarters this year where the Eagles have been behind.
The second quarter remained tight and both teams found it difficult to break away in the wet and slippery conditions.
Katie Dent kept pulling the girls back into the contest with some impressive aerial intercepts and was backed up by defenders who brought the ball all the way down court.
After regrouping at half time, Penola showed its hunger and experience and put the foot down.
Karly Honner and Ashley Earl shot reliably under pressure and once again worked together to make it difficult for Lucindale defenders.
Penola’s defenders adjusted and only allowed Lucindale to score six goals for the quarter, to create a 10-goal lead at the final break.
The Eagles continued to dominate the last term and ran away 13-goal winners to remain undefeated for the season.
Best players for the Eagles were Honner and Dent.
B GRADE Penola 44 d Lucindale 28
DESPITE an average first quarter, the Penola B Grade netballers started to combine well as a team and set up a big win.
By half time the side had turned the game around and held an 11-goal margin at the main break.
By playing their own game and providing second efforts all over the court they proved to be too strong for the Lucindale Roos.
The defence line up of Kerry Dent and Nicole Hayes worked tirelessly to create turnovers which were driven down the court by Annabel Hayes and Karmel Finch.
Second efforts by the centre court players saw the Eagles take control of the ball and move well into attack where Mandy Gartner, Tayla McKeon and Teegan Galpin converted and rewarded the team to finish with a 16-goal win.
It was a tough contested game and Finch was awarded best player award for her continued agility and drive all over the court.
C GRADE – Penola 41 d Lucindale 10
PENOLA’S C Grade netballers were at their best on Saturday as they recorded a huge 31-goal win over Lucindale, despite the slippery ball and cold conditions.
The Eagles did not let the weather deter them and came out strong from the first whistle.
Their tight defensive pressure stifled Lucindale’s attacking moves and caused numerous turnovers, which were consistently driven through the midcourt and capitalised on by the goalers.
Jess McIntyre showed strong defensive pressure and determined driving in the midcourt.
She was joined by Laura Price who presented strongly in goals in a four-quarter effort.
Both were rewarded for their work as best players.
17 AND UNDER – Lucindale 45 d Penola 13
LUCINDALE proved too strong for the Penola 17 and Under side, which suffered a big loss on the road.
The girls expected a tough game at Lucindale, but approached the game with new goals in mind.
The first quarter saw the Eagles a bit flat, with the wet weather taking its toll.
The Eagles’ defence of Anna Marcus, Kasey Morton and Abbie Gartner worked well together to get many turnovers, while Jess Snell had a big job on a talented opposition.
The attacking players Ebonie Moulton, Kate Skeer and Shakayla Summerhayes had the goal of working the front all game.
Through these small goals the team atmosphere started to build.
Despite the final score line the last quarter saw the Eagles hold strong and keep Lucindale to just seven goals, while shooting five.
Best players were Anna Marcus and Abbie Gartner.
16 AND UNDER – Lucindale 57 d Penola 15
PENOLA’S 16 and Under girls started their game slowly in the cold conditions.
In contrast Lucindale was out of the gates fast, with excellent shooting accuracy.
That saw the home side with a big lead at half time and Penola knew it was time to step it up.
The Eagles came out a lot stronger and played a smoother game after the break to finish off with a solid last quarter.
Ellise Berkin worked hard all day despite the conditions and earned best player, while Skye Peterson adjusted well to make some strong defensive turnovers for next best.
13A’S – Lucindale 24 d Penola 21
A CLOSE result in the 13A competition saw Penola go down by a narrow margin.
The Eagles lacked some bounce and decisive play at the start of the game until they adjusted to playing in the continuous wet weather, which saw them chase Lucindale the whole match.
Penola displayed impressive stamina and determination as their passing, leading, backup of each other and chasing of loose balls improved which settled the side.
The team adjusted quickly to the position changes made throughout the game.
Tess Porter claimed best player, ahead of Heidi Berkin.
13B’S – Penola 10 d Lucindale 6
THE young Penola Eagles continued their clean and consistent netball on Saturday and recorded a close four-goal win over Lucindale.
Goalies Charlize and Lily were unmatched, were quick with their passes and worked well together.
They were backed up by their wing and centre players, Lucy and Macey, who fed the ball to them well.
Nellie was fast on the defensive wing and worked well with Zara and Mia, who picked off many balls in defence.
After a swap at half time, the girls still held their own in their new positions and no matter what end of the court they were on they gave it their all.
The coach’s award went to Macey O’Brien for backing up her team mates all game and Mia Gartner for her fast feet in goal keeper.
13MOD
THE 13MOD girls put in a solid effort yet again.
All players demonstrated their newly taught skills and spectators where impressed by their front cuts, outside arm defensive efforts, positioning for rebounding and their transitions down the court.
Every player gave their best and displayed great sportsmanship, forcing the coach to give the whole team the award this week.
