WEST GAMBIER 80 d CASTERTON SANDFORD 31
LAST time the Cats played the reigning premiers, it was an onslaught which took the undermanned Casterton Sandford line-up off guard.
While Saturday’s 80-31 goal scoreline was still a convincing win for West Gambier, the Cats showed significant improvement.
The return of Caeleigh Humphries to the Cats’ line-up freed up Madalene Cleary to move out of defence into the centre and it made for a more settled approach in attack.
West still dominated the contest and showed why it is the benchmark of the Western Border netball competition.
Its ability to move the ball quickly and with precision, as well as the determination to always apply relentless pressure had the Cats on the back foot.
Sarah Ritter again proved impossible to stop in the shooting circle, netting 58 from 70 to be the best player on the court – not for the first time this season.
The good news for the Cats was their ability to create significantly more scoring opportunities than the Round 1 encounter.
Ivy Lane, with only two misses for the game, proved she deserves to own the goal shooter bib for Casterton Sandford.
West was missing regular wing defence Zoe Malseed for the clash but Anna Bosco stepped in seamlessly.
Apart from that, the Roos looked as impressive as they have all season.
Amy Cram continued to dominate defensively, Ritter was a star in the shooting circle and the mid court of Tara Bryant and Mikaela Horrigan continued to provide good supply to Lisa McGregor and Ritter.
The task is ahead of the rest of the competition to find a way to stop them.
