NORTH GAMBIER V MILLICENT

For the second time this season North Gambier has conjured a win over Millicent – a stunning opening half setting up the eventual three goal victory.

The Tigers opted for young defender Stella Mobbs as the match up for Saints shooter Tabatha Sanderson with usually goal keeper Mikaila Pitt taking the defensive wing and the move had immediate impact.

As the Saints struggled to find easy access to the shooting circle, the Tigers were moving the ball clinically, with Brianna Walters finding great connection with Grace Potts, who rewarded her team mates by converting 11 from 14 as North set up a seven goal quarter time lead.

The Tigers continued their relentless defensive pressure and slick ball movement in the second and by the main break, the lead was 11.

Millicent moved Lisa Duldig into the centre at the main break with Lillie Paul heading to the defensive wing and the move had immediate impact.

North also made a change with Lauran Norman taking the wing defence bib.

The Saints, though, had the better of the third quarter, eating into the Tigers’ advantage and trailing by only seven at the main break.

Sanderson was suddenly freed up as she converted 12 from 14 and the Saints appeared to have finally found their mojo with better ball movement in attack and a more persistent defensive effort.

It was the Saints again in control in the final quarter but they were unable to reel in the Tigers’ advantage and North took the premiership points with a three goal victory.

Brianna Walters dominated the mid court for North and her connection with Potts proved unstoppable for the majority of the contest, while Potts was again rock solid at the post.

Despite Potts having another strong game, Saints defender Portia McRae was in the contest all game, and she limited the usual output of the Tigers spearhead with her tight checking and strong contesting in the air, while Demi Verbena continues to be one of Millicent’s best with her well timed moves and precise delivery to Sanderson.

SOUTH GAMBIER V CASTERTON SANDFORD

There was no doubt Casterton Sandford set themselves for their round 13 clash with South Gambier and they got off to the perfect start as Ivy Lane dominated the shooting circle with eight from nine as the cats secured a two goal quarter time lead.

Chelsey Galpin, Chloe Foster and Madalene Cleary were moving the ball with precision, while at the other end of the court, Ebany Jarrad and Caeleigh Humphries were making things a lot tougher for the South shooters.

Safe to say, the Cats strong start jolted the Demons into action.

The defensive effort improved significantly and Gracie Dalton started to find good shooting position, netting 10 from 11 as South wrested back the lead.

Her combination with Ayssa Duncan started to look better connected, while the hard running from Megna Reid in the centre saw the Demons enjoy better ball movement across the court.

The half time advantage was three goals but the Cats were far from done and the arm wrestle continued.

Humphries and Ellie Bouchier were both creating turnover ball for their respective sides, while Dalton and Lane were having a shootout and at the final change South was clinging to a four goal advantage.

After the three tense opening quarters, the last quarter was one way traffic as the Demons put their foot down.

The Cats found themselves under pressure at every turn and while Lane continued to be reliable, netting five from six, there were just not enough scoring opportunities, while the Demons were able to find Dalton in space with regularity and her 10 from 13 ensured South ended up with a comfortable 11 goal victory.

The work of Tully McShane and Reid in the mid court was critical in the South victory, while Humphries and Lane were best for the Cats.

EAST GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER

East Gambier was celebrating a special milestone for a special player when they hosted West Gambier at the weekend but the party was short lived after the Roos came out of the blocks firing and took early control of the clash.

East Gambier 2021 premiership captain Tarsh McCallum celebrated 350 games as a Bulldog and while she was her side’s best in the 14 goal loss, her team mates would rue their sluggish start.

East struggled to find a way through the tight West defence in the opening quarter and could only put five goals on the board, while the Roos were slick and direct in their ball movement and despite losing Lisa McGregor early in the quarter t a calf injury, the lead at the first change was already eight.

East sprung into action in the second as McCallum and Eliza Cole enjoyed better access to goalers Renee Henke and Casey Horrigan, while at the other end, Morgan Amy and Bo Creek were shutting down the access to Tahlia Earl, who took the goal shooter bib to cover for McGregor, as the Bulldogs worked their way back into the contest.

The 10-all second quarter at least steadied the ship for the home side and then in the third, the conditions did not make for stylish netball for either team.

While the goalers from both teams converted with good accuracy despite the wild conditions, the match was played between the two goal circles as both sides applied relentless defensive pressure.

At the final change the margin was nine but when the Roos moved Sarah Ritter back to her usual role of goal shooter and Earl moved out to goal attack, scoring became easier again for the reigning premiers and they won the quarter by five to register a comfortable 14 goal victory.

It was the Ritter sisters leading the way for the Roos – Sarah as the scoring machine, while Jade combined with Amy Cram to ensure scoring was difficult for the Eats goalers and her work over the shot and rebounding was crucial.

For East, McCallum and the hard running Cole were best.