SOUTH GAMBIER 48 d CASTERTON SANDFORD 31
A LAST quarter shooting clinic from South Gambier teenager Gracie Dalton ensured her team claimed a comfortable victory over Casterton Sandford on Saturday.
The Demons seemed to be in control for much of its Round 3 Western Border netball clash with the Cats, but Dalton’s showcase left no room for an upset.
The young shooter nailed 15 from 18 in a dominant final quarter performance which pushed South out to a 17-goal victory.
The margin was seven at quarter time after a late flurry from the Demons and by half time it was a 12-goal game.
The Cats had the better of the third quarter and reeled it back in to an eight-goal difference before the last quarter effort from Dalton.
Casterton Sandford reacted to its opening quarter deficit by swinging the changes, which had coach Dani Russell and Libby Altorfer switch roles on the wings, with Altorfer moving to the attacking end of the court.
Circle defenders Caeleigh Humphries and Ebany Jarrad also swapped roles with Humphries moving back onto Dalton after her opening quarter of nine from 12, alongside Alyssa Duncan’s perfect six from six.
Over the next two quarters, the changes seemed to have an impact but an injury to Jarrad forced her from the court and the Cats line-up was again forced to shuffle.
Madalene Cleary moved from the centre to goal defence and Ivy Lane, who usually plies her trade as a goaler, took the centre bib.
In a good sign for the Cats, the shooting combination of Chloe Foster and Chelsey Galpin looked to be finding chemistry and they generated more scoring opportunities than the previous two rounds.
For the Demons Sophie Wight was outstanding through the centre, running hard and having an impact at both ends, while Ellie Bouchier was the queen of the turnover, using her height and reach to great effect.
Duncan also continues to be the on-court leader and she did a mountain of work as a key link player and out the front of Dalton to ensure South always remained ahead on the scoreboard.
