Millicent 62 d/w North Gambier 62
A VICTOR could not be decided at McLaughlin Park when Millicent hosted North Gambier for Round 14 of Western Border netball.
For the first time in weeks, the Tigers had their preferred starting seven hit the court and the result was a tough arm wrestle against the Saints.
North started strongly and led by two goals at the first break which sparked Millicent into action.
Lisa Duldig moved to the centre and Georgia Clarke to the defensive wing and the slick ball movement of Millicent was on full show.
Tabatha Sanderson and Demi Verbena combined in the goal circle for 21 goals from 22 attempts for the quarter to turn the deficit into a three-goal lead.
The shooting was just as outstanding from Caroline Wakefield and Macey Griffith who shot a perfect 16 straight.
The arm wrestle continued in the third term as both sides looked to move the ball quickly and safely into the hands of their respective shooters.
At the final change the Saints held a handy five-goal buffer.
However, the Tigers were not yet out of the fight and from a defensive perspective they put in their best quarter.
They denied easy ball movement and limited scoring opportunities for the Saints, while still finding Wakefield and Griffith at the other end.
North continued to reduce the deficit throughout the quarter and at the final whistle the score remained at 62-all.
There is no doubt the Tigers’ defensive combination of Mel Renko and Zahra Crough will test opposition shooters if North – as expected – forces its way back into the top four.
The connection between Ash Kalantarian on the attacking wing and Wakefield and Griffith continues to build and Kalantarian looms as a key piece of the North puzzle moving forward.
Millicent’s shooting combination of Sanderson and Verbena was again first class, while there was much to like about the defensive effort.
