Hatherleigh 41 d Port MacDonnell 36
Hatherleigh made the trip down to Port MacDonnell for Round 8 of Mid South East netball and emerged victorious after a tight contest.
Both teams came from close games last week and were keen to consolidate.
Despite the wet and slippery conditions, both sides hit the court running and played tight netball.
The battle through the middle was one to watch.
Port MacDonnell’s Liza Mutch and Hatherleigh’s Tegan Telfer fought tenaciously, tussling for every ball.
The Demons were adjusting to a few slight changes to their line-up, with Jess Lynch starting in centre and Kirby Carrison in defence.
Hatherleigh goalies Abby Wight and Maddie Redman challenged Alana Winter and Carrison, but the Demons’ defenders responded quickly and worked to limit their opportunities.
The home side led by one goal at the end of the first term in what was fast becoming a competitive contest.
Hatherleigh kept its lineup the same at the beginning of the second quarter, while the Demons moved Mutch into the centre and put Lynch back to wing defence.
Wight shot with accuracy for the Eagles, which limited Winter and Carrison’s rebounding opportunities.
The Demons benefited through the experienced Toni Gilmore in the goal circle, while Hatherleigh’s Lara MacGregor challenged Brooke Williams’ shooting opportunities.
Hatherleigh’s Erin Watson ran tirelessly through the centre and with support from Telfer, guided their transition throughout the court.
Hatherleigh’s pressure and fight for the ball held them up by two goals at half time.
With the game in the balance at the main break, Hatherleigh’s Maddie Pulmer hit the court and Redman shifted to defence.
Port MacDonnell made a few changes, as Belinda O’Dine joined Winter in defence, while Williams came into the centre, making room for Carrison in goals.
Georgia Hunter put pressure on the Port MacDonnell’s Narelle Lewis, while Redman quickly adjusted to her change and limited Carrison’s opportunities to shoot.
Despite having fresh legs, O’Dine could do little to slow Wight’s attack, who was unstoppable in the ring.
However, Winter was in good form and kept Pulmer scoreless for the quarter.
Hatherleigh made the most of all opportunities and they led by four goals at three-quarter time.
Hunter was replaced by MacGregor and Demi Vanderhorst brought fresh legs into defence for the Eagles.
Despite the Demons’ best efforts, Hatherleigh gained a couple of early turnovers in the final term and Vanderhorst gained crucial intercepts.
Watson battled for every ball and fed well into Wight and Pulmer.
Gilmore still worked hard for the Demons and Winter did all she could to limit Pulmer’s opportunities.
However, the Eagles’ defensive pressure and fast court transition was too strong and they claimed a hard-fought victory.
Watson and Wight were best for the victors, while Winter and Gilmore were best for Port MacDonnell.
