Hard-fought win for Roosters

Robe's Halle Carter continued her good form on the weekend, named in the Roosters' best as they accounted for Mount Burr in Round 8 of Mid South East netball. File image.

Robe 55 d Mount Burr 46

Robe was forced to work hard for its win against a tough Mount Burr roster in Round 8 of Mid South East netball.

A few positional changes saw usual defender Madi Haggett into goal attack for the Mozzies, which added extra height and support in the goal ring for shooter Ebony Clark.

Both teams started strongly with the Mozzies first on the board.

Robe’s Lucy Perkins and Annie Hunter provided opportunities for goalies Sarah Laurie and Tori Gluyas to pass around the circle and enable them to get within close range to maximise opportunities to score in the tough conditions.

Mount Burr applied strong defensive pressure in the Robe goal circle from Olivia Dean and Simone Westerman, as well as applying pressure all over the court.

This resulted in some timely intercepts and a two-goal advantage for most of the quarter.

Clark was shooting with confidence and Haggett standing strong for any lose rebounds, as Mount Burr took a two-goal advantage to the first break.

The second quarter saw a goal-for-goal early, while tight defensive pressure from the Mount Burr defenders Dean and Westerman saw Haggett convert to break Robe’s centre.

Scoring continued goal-for-goal, with both teams prepared to pass the ball patiently around the ring to get in safe scoring position.

However, Mount Burr increased its lead to three goals at the half-time break.

The intensity continued in the third term, with both sides scoring from their own centre passes, until Robe’s Halle Carter was able to take a valuable intercept into the Mount Burr goal circle.

Robe worked the ball down to their goal end converting the goal and then scoring from their next centre pass to close the margin.

When Schultz was penalised for contact, Robe managed to work down into their goal circle, with Laurie converting to tie the game up.

Robe’s defence stepped up a notch and the Roosters increased their lead to six goals at the final break.

Mozzies coach Tamara Haggett made some changes, bringing 17 and Under youngster Maddie Gamble on at wing defence, Zoe Brown off, Fennell into wing attack and Westerman out to goal defence, while Robe continued unchanged.

Mount Burr worked the ball down into their goal end only to have Robe defender Grant rebound a missed opportunity by Haggett.

Robe’s mid court of Hunter, Carter and Perkins combined well to move the ball down the court where Laurie converted in the goal circle.

The intensity continued and at one stage the ball went up and down the court into each team’s goal circle without scoring five times, before Robe’s attack line steadied and Gluyas scored for a nine-goal lead.

In the end that would be the final margin after an entertaining contest.

Carter and Grant were best for the victors, while Haggett and Fennell were best for Mount Burr.