Hatherleigh 51 d Kongorong 45
HATHERLEIGH faced a sustained challenge from Kongorong in its Mid South East netball Round 7 clash but managed to weather the storm and hold on for a well-deserved victory.
While the Eagles scored the first goal of the game, it was Kongorong that settled the best, converting turnovers to push out to an early five-goal lead.
Eagles Abby Wight and Maddie Pulmer took a while to adjust to the defensive pressure applied by Tori McIntyre and Sarah Lucas, while Tilah Buckingham scored freely for Kongorong.
However, Hatherleigh regained its composure toward the end of the term to lead 17-11 at the first break.
The second quarter saw Demi Vanderhorst come off the body and attack the ball to send Hatherleigh into attack on numerous occasions.
Wight positioned well and accurate passing in from Pulmer saw her convert well.
At the other end Buckingham continued to keep the score ticking over and both teams scored 11 goals for the quarter.
The second half was once again an even affair, with Hatherleigh holding a seven-goal buffer at three-quarter-time thanks to some clever feeding from Erin Watson.
Injuries to Chelsea Galpin and Georgia Hunter saw Eliza Mewett enter the game in what was her first taste of A Grade netball.
In the end Hatherleigh was able to overcome those injuries and scrap out a hard-fought six-goal win against a tenacious Kongorong, with Wight a focal point for the Eagles, who finished the day with a game-high 45 goals.
Hatherleigh was best served by Vanderhorst and Watson, with Kate Wright and McIntyre best for Kongorong.
