THE rematch between 2022 Western Border Netball Association grand finalists Millicent and West Gambier lived up to the hype on Saturday.
The match was a goal-for-goal contest from the first whistle to the last as both sides worked overtime to limit opportunities for the team’s respective dominant goal shooters.
Not surprisingly, both finished as their team’s best player but it was Sarah Ritter who had the last laugh as West held on for a narrow two-goal victory.
Ritter scored 36 from 47, while Millicent’s Tabatha Sanderson converted 32 from 40, missing only two opportunities in the second half.
The respective goal attacks – Lisa McGregor and Demi Verbena – did a mountain of work out front of the two spearheads.
The battle between West’s Tara Bryant and Millicent’s Lillie Paul was one for the ages as two of the brightest mid-court talents in the competition ran hard both ways and were both influential in their teams’ fortunes.
Given both these sides normally score well in excess of 60 goals, the 50-48 score-line shows that both sides had a strong defensive focus.
Trailing by five going into the final quarter, the Saints showed why they are such a respected outfit, throwing everything at the Roos.
However, the reigning premiers were able to hold sway as they now present as a model of consistency – an emerging trait over the past 18 months.
