EAST GAMBIER 32 d CASTERTON SANDFORD 28
IT was an arm wrestle all day but in the end, East Gambier all but cemented a top four finish, while also marking star defender Bo Creek’s 300th game with a victory over Casterton Sandford.
The Bulldogs certainly had the better of the start, not for the first time, courtesy of some strong defensive work from Creek, especially in the rebounding battles.
Accurate finishing also made a difference, as Malinda Foster impressed in appalling conditions.
It saw them set up a six-goal lead and in the end, that was enough to hang on for an eventual four-goal win.
The Cats did take it up a notch in the second term and clawed back three of those six goals.
Holly Smith denied Foster as much of the ball, while at the other end Madalene Cleary worked her way into the contest, scoring six from nine as she took control of the offensive end for Casterton Sandford.
The Cats continued their march back into contention in the third and by the final change it was a one-goal game with East hanging on to the narrowest of leads.
In the final quarter it was again Foster, who has so often been at the forefront of the Bulldogs’ performances, who despite the windy conditions was unflappable on the shot.
She netted eight from nine as East held off the determined Cats for a 32-28 goal victory.
Casterton Sandford was without star utility Caeleigh Humphries and tight checking defender Ebany Jarrad so it did well to stay in the contest with a new look line-up.
Indi Longhurst showed why she is considered a star of the future with her hard running in centre and creativity with ball in hand, while fellow teenager Brydie Carlin showed plenty in her first full game of A Grade.
Smith and Chloe Finnigan had not yet played much netball together in the defensive circle for the Cats but did get their share of touches, while Cleary was influential as usual.
Creek and Foster were the best for the Bulldogs and it was probably the defensive efforts of East which ensured the victory as Creek and defensive partners Sharna McKinnon and Morgan Amy made scoring tough for the Cats.
Foster, who was well supported by Renee Henke, made sure the scoring opportunities ended up on the scoreboard.
