MILLICENT 50 d SOUTH GAMBIER 38
SOUTH Gambier entered Round 6 of Western Border netball up against an understaffed Millicent outfit.
The Saints were without their first-choice goalie combination of Tabatha Sanderson and Demi Verbena but with plenty of depth to call upon they were able to snatch a 12-goal win over the Demons.
With replacements the calibre of South Australian 17 and Under goal shooter Annelise Janssen and Paige Nitschke – who often fills a shooting role for the Saints – South had to be at its best to compete.
The opening quarter was a tight affair with Millicent enjoying a three-goal lead.
Despite some second quarter inaccuracy, the Saints extended the margin, mostly thanks to the defensive efforts of Portia McRae, Hannah Nitschke and Georgia Clarke.
They restricted the Demons to only 10 scoring opportunities, compared to the Saints’ 25.
South upped the ante in the third as Alyssa Duncan not only found more space but finished accurately with seven from eight.
However, with Millicent again finding its radar to net 15 from 18 as a combination, the lead extended to 14 at the final change.
A perfect 10 from 10 from Lara Munro and an improved defensive effort from the home side allowed South to win the final quarter but it was too little, too late and the Demons went down by 12.
South made too many unforced errors, while the relentless pressure from the Saints also forced mistakes which they were able to capitalise on.
South goal keeper Grace Edwards had a strong four-quarter performance in her battle with Janssen, while Munro and Duncan had their moments when the Millicent defence allowed.
In the end, Millicent was able to control the contest, as well as giving Lauren Van Eeden another taste of top grade action, while Kayleigh Taylor was also injected into the mid court in a testament to the Saints’ depth.
