The Penola Netball Club took on Bordertown in the penultimate round of Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara regular season matches on Saturday.

Penola had a slow start in the 13C’s but in the second half they gained a bit of confidence and were able to play some good netball.

Imogen won the Wendy’s award with her determination and intercepts.

In the last game of the season, the 13B girls were ready with great full court defensive pressure.

Working around Bordertown’s height was a little tricky for the girls which led the focus to driving towards the ball and timing leads.

The girls worked tirelessly to improve on this throughout the game.

With no set positions this week, the girls worked together as a team, making sure everyone had a turn.

Coming up against the top side the Penola 13A girls knew it was going to be tough.

Despite the scoreline the Eagles gave their all throughout the entire game.

Best players were Lily Hackwill and Evie Tilby.

There were some good passages of play in the Division 3 match.

The girls found their voices in the last three quarters and kept trying, playing the game out.

Best players were Maddie Ellery and Kirra Pitt.

The Penola Division 2 girls played a balanced game of netball and despite the score line there were great passages of play.

The players managed to get many hands to the ball.

Best players were Matilda Marlow and Mia Gartner.

Penola’s Division 1 started slow, leading into the first quarter with Bordertown working extremely hard to keep the pressure on Penola with both teams ending up going goal for goal.

In the second quarter Bordertown increased their intensity and a couple of turnovers by Penola saw the Eagles trailing at the end of the quarter. Penola stepped it up in the third quarter with some good defensive pressure capitalising off Bordertown’s turnovers.

Some strong movement through the midcourt by Tess Porter and Ella Skeer aided Penola shooters Tegan Lythgo and Ivy Wurst to take the lead by three.

Bordertown continued to bring the fight in the fourth quarter and their shooters put away every shot that was required of them.

However Penola managed to compose themselves, playing a very controlled last quarter working the ball slowly and steadily through transition and letting the shooters finish it off.

Best players were Tess Porter and Tegan Lythgo.

It was a top of the table clash in C Grade which made for a very tight start. Bordertown came out firing with some brilliant defence in the circle and did not allow any loose balls to go Penola’s way.

Patience from Chicago and Leanne allowed for the ball to be fed into Stella and Eva who had to work overtime to get prime shooting position.

Half time changes brought Sarah into the circle and changed up the height allowing for some different patterns.

Defensively Amelia’s height and Lucy’s speed enabled the ball to be brought down and Squish was dominating and converting rebounds.

The girls played an incredible game and continued to put training into game play.

Best players were Chicago Smith and Leticia Gosse.

The B Grade girls had a full team for the first time in several weeks which definitely helped with a 17-goal win against Bordertown.

It was not the prettiest game but Penola got the job done.

Bordertown made the Eagles work for every goal with their tight pressure and accurate shooting all game.

Pocket rocket Jess ran hard in centre all game as per usual earning her best player award this week alongside Teegan who shot well as always and worked hard against her tight defender.

Best players were Jess Blackmore and Tegan Galpin.

After a very close game in the round 1 clash the A Reserve game was never going to be easy.

The Eagles started well in unfavourable conditions.

Bordertown’s defence created some issues for Penola throughout the game.

Karly Honner timed her run into the circle to perfection in the first half and Kasey Venables converted goals well.

Penola’s defensive pressure has been a feature all year and once again provided them many extra scoring opportunities.

It was a good four quarter tussle between second and third on the ladder.

Penola came out on top and is hoping for sunshine in September.

Best players were Hannah Klemm and Karly Honner.

Penola’s A Grade came out undermanned again resting Siobhan Adams for a second week after her concussion.

Tess Porter stepped into WD and played a great game with several intercepts.

April Possingham faced a strong opponent in Alex Langley – but her usual holding game was strong, with 89% accuracy.

The midcourter’s ability to swing the ball did not give Alex many intercepts but the combination of her and Sophie Ansell was tough to feed at times, although young gun Tegan Lythgo stood tall and shot well.

Chelsea Galpin was in fine form gaining multiple tips and intercepts to help stretch out the lead with support from the strong pressure defence all over the court.

The second half was dominated by the Eagles finishing well, taking the margin out to 21.

Best players were Chelsea Galpin and Jordyn Adams.