MILLICENT 55 d EAST GAMBIER 30
THE Western Border netball 2022 runners-up started their season with a big win when Millicent visited East Gambier on Saturday.
The Saints blew out the cobwebs with a solid outing against the Bulldogs, working their way to a 25-goal victory.
It was the young guns who led the way for the Saints with both Lillie Paul and Daisy Tunkin dominating the mid court.
They fed with precision to Tabatha Sanderson, who was again the focal point of the shooting circle, netting 43 of Millicent’s 55 goals for the match.
Demi Verbena also played her role with her strong front cuts opening up the space at the back for Sanderson.
At the other end of the court the Saints’ defensive line-up with Lisa Duldig on the defensive wing and Kimmi Tincknell and Portia McRae in the defensive circle, made every possession difficult for the new-look East frontline.
As such scoring opportunities for the Bulldogs were at a premium.
The match was a story of opportunities, with Millicent generating 79 scoring chances and East restricted to 43 – and that was the game right there.
Lauren Van Eeden entered the match at goal defence in the second half and there was no disruption to the defensive pressure applied by the Saints.
Given Van Eeden and McRae teamed up last season in the 17 and Under competition, their understanding in the circle was impeccable.
Co-coaches Tarsh McCallum and Bo Creek led the way for the Bulldogs, while Indi Dwyer did enough in her first outing in A Grade to show she will be a player of the future.
Millicent was best served by the two young midcourters, Paul and Tunkin but there was no apparent weak link in the Saints line-up as they look to go one better in 2023.
