WEST GAMBIER 60 d MILLICENT 59
The second clash of the season between the 2022 Wester Border netball grand finalists did not disappoint with reigning premiers West Gambier overcoming a five-goal three quarter time deficit to take the victory over Millicent by one goal.
The chief task for any team looking to unseat the Roos is denying supply to Sarah Ritter and never was that truer than the weekend when the star West shooter missed only one attempt for the entire clash – that miss coming in the second quarter – as she netted 56 of West’s 60 goals.
On the back of perfect shooting from the Saints duo of Tabatha Sanderson and Demi Verbena in the opening quarter, who shot 19 from 19, Millicent held a four-goal lead at the first change.
West clawed their way back to two by the main change before Millicent again took control before the Roos’ final quarter onslaught.
The Roos kept their usual line-up for the majority of the four quarters, with the exception of a slight rejig in the mid court for the final quarter and a late call up to Tahlia Earl to the goal keeper role in the final quarter when Jade Ritter was forced from the court.
The Saints, on the other hand, made changes to their defensive line and their mid court during the course of the match.
In the end, it was a battle of the tall timber goal shooters and which team could limit supply and while Sanderson accounted for 48 of Millicent’s 59 goals, it came down to that frenetic final quarter where West just generated more scoring opportunities.
The Roos netted 18 goals from 20, while the Saints converted 12 from 13 and that weight of possession told the story.
Ritter remains a thorn in the side of every opposition, while Amy Cram’s ability to create turnover ball was critical in the final wash up.
Sanderson and Verbena were named best for the Saints.
