NORTH GAMBIER 60 d MILLICENT 50
IT was billed the match of the round and it did not disappoint when North Gambier claimed the first major upset of the Western Border netball season over a visiting Millicent.
Despite missing key defender Mikaila Pitt, the Tigers were able to place rising teenage star Stella Mobbs in the goal keeper role for her A Grade debut.
Millicent, as it so often does, was off to a flier and led by six goals at the first break.
Inaccuracy in the North shooting circle played a role in the deficit, while the Saints were nailing most of their opportunities.
In the second quarter the story was supply, with North generating 19 scoring shoots and finishing accurately, while Millicent had more trouble finding their goalers and only 12 scoring opportunities were on offer.
The Saints reacted to that quarter, with scores tied at the main break at 24-all, by changing up the mid court.
Lillie Paul moved to wing attack and Lisa Duldig into centre which freed up Kimmi Tincknell to the defensive wing with the injection of Lauren VanEeden into the goal defence role.
Again, North was able to get the edge in scoring opportunities and Grace Potts and Macey Griffith were also finishing accurately, with the Tigers enjoying a six-goal three-quarter-time lead.
That ended up 10 by the final whistle as Potts and Griffith combined for 19 from 20 to put the result beyond doubt.
The victory would fill the Tigers with confidence as they seem to have settled on a starting seven which is gelling as a combination in every area of the court.
Mel Renko’s move to centre has allowed her to control the court for North, freeing up Brianna Walters to use her speed off the mark at wing attack, while Lauran Norman will only improve as she nails down the defensive wing.
Noni McConnell has been the general of the defensive end and will be hanging for more time to develop an understanding with Pitt when she returns to the line-up.
Saints goalers Tabatha Sanderson and Demi Verbena were the best of the Saints but there is work to be done in the connection with the mid court.
It is clear Millicent is still looking to settle on a preferred line-up, with several changes throughout the game.
While Verbena and Duldig add plenty of experience and leadership to the Saints roster, it is a younger and more inexperienced line-up than that of the last decade.
