Kalangadoo 56 d Port MacDonnell 34
KALANGADOO made its intentions clear in the opening round of Mid South East netball on Saturday.
The Magpies travelled to Port MacDonnell to face the Demons and claimed a comfortable victory in the end.
The game started as a tight affair, with both teams converting early.
Demons goal attack Cody Manning shot accurately, as did Kalangadoo’s Ebony McDiarmid.
The Demons had good drive through the middle, with Alysha Coon starting well in a new position of centre, while Megan Hein was effective in wing defence.
Lara Munro started well at goal keeper for the Magpies, creating turnovers for her team and combining well with junior Georgia Gentile at goal defence.
At the first break Kalangadoo held a slender lead, 14-11.
The second quarter was again an even affair, as young gun Chloe Peacock was injected into the game, providing fresh legs and speed through the middle.
McDiarmid continued her dominance in the goal circle for the visitors, despite the gallant efforts of Port MacDonnell recruit Emily Thompson.
Jane Auld and Lauren Kain also had an impact for the Magpies through the mid-court.
At the long break Kalangadoo had extended its lead slightly with a 27-20 advantage.
The third quarter saw Kalangadoo lift the intensity and the home side had no answer for the well-oiled machine.
Abbey Duncan and McDiarmid combined well despite the best efforts of Thompson and Alana Berkefeld.
Kain moved back to goal defence for the Magpies and had an immediate effect, with Manning only managing one goal for the quarter.
Port MacDonnell brought on junior Sophie Lewis to wing attack for her A Grade debut and she showed her speed and agility.
She completed some nice passes into goal shooter Kori Collins, but by the final break Kalangadoo had stamped its authority on the contest, with a 44-28 scoreline.
The final stanza was again all Kalangadoo, as Munro and Kain were brilliant in defence and made Collins and Manning earn every goal.
Hein took the wing attack bib for the Demons and worked well with Coon in the mid-court.
While it was a strong performance from a young, new-look Demon outfit, it was the experience and skill of the Magpies that finished well on top, with a final score of 56-34.
Best for Kalangadoo were Munro and Gentile, while Collins and Hein took the honours for the Demons.
