WEST GAMBIER 69 d SOUTH GAMBIER 43
SOUTH Gambier will take confidence from its opening quarter against reigning Western Border netball premier West Gambier on Saturday.
The first term was a tight affair and the Demons were able to match it with the hosts, before the Roos took control in the second and forced their young opponents into enough errors to work out to an eventual 26-goal victory.
Missing star shooter Sarah Ritter, who rolled her ankle during the week at training, West called on Tahlia Earl and she did not disappoint with her strength on the hold and accurate finishing.
Having played many seasons alongside Lisa McGregor, the makeshift combination did not miss a beat, despite some good pressure from Demons defenders Mykaela Thiele and Ellie Bouchier.
McGregor upped her output on the scoreboard as well in a best-on-court performance.
The battle through the middle between Tara Bryant and Sophie Wight was one for the ages as both used their speed and athleticism to good effect and were the key feeders for their respective sides.
In the end it was a game of supply with West generating 94 scoring opportunities to South’s 63.
While the South shooting combination of Gracie Dalton and Alyssa Duncan continued to show promise, there is still some work to do in terms of connection with the mid court and ensuring they can generate more and easier scoring chances.
Of course when the likes of Zoe Malseed, Amy Cram and Jade Ritter are applying the relentless pressure for which the Roos are known, it was always going to be a tough ask.
