Port MacDonnell 27 d Robe 25
Port MacDonnell used its first home game of the 2022 Mid South East netball season to good effect, claiming a nail-biting two goal win over Robe on Saturday.
With the wind blowing hard for the Round 6 clash, both sides settled and the top-of-the-table Robe came out firing with some early turnovers to apply the pressure.
In the absence of the Demon’s Liza Mutch, Brooke Williams took to the centre and had a good tussle with Robe’s Annie Hunter.
The windy conditions troubled the Demons’ goalies Kirby Carrison and Toni Gilmore, but solid rebounding allowed the them to maintain possession.
Robe’s Lucy Perkins showed precise passing into the circle which supported goalies Sarah Laurie and Tori Gluyas, with the fast and smooth transition across the court seeing the visitors ahead by two goals at the first break.
The second term saw the Demons’ new defensive combination of Alana Winter and Belinda O’Dine work tirelessly to limit Robe’s opportunities in the circle.
Despite Robe’s defence taking advantage of all rebound opportunities, Gilmore’s shooting accuracy and support from playing coach Narelle Lewis in the ring was up to the challenge and Port MacDonnell gained crucial turnovers which resulted in a five-goal lead at half time.
The beginning of the second half saw the Demons’ new recruit Katelin Liebelt takeover from Jess Lynch in the wing defence position and she impressed in her first game for the Bay.
Robe’s Gluyas moved back to goal shooter and gave Halle Carter the goal attack bib.
The two combined well, with Gluyas doing most of the shooting but the Demon’s defence did not make it easy.
Gilmore was apprehensive to shoot in the tough conditions, which resulted in a few easy turnovers for the Roosters.
However, when the experienced goalie was in position to shoot, she did not miss many opportunities.
In the last five minutes of the quarter, Robe defender Georgia Perkins left the court injured which put coach Kim Austin into the goal keeper position and the Demons took advantage of the change, with a few easy shots to take a six-goal lead to the final break.
Robe was hungry for turnovers in the final quarter, fighting to keep top spot on the ladder, but Winter was not concerned and kept Gluyas scoreless for the quarter.
In fact, Robe’s defence was so tough it kept the Demons to just one goal for the quarter.
Despite that pressure, the Roosters failed to take advantage of possession and suffered their first loss of the season.
Best players for the victors were Williams and Gilmore, while Perkins and Ellen Ramke were best for Robe.
