EAST GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER

East Gambier has backed up the pre-season hype surrounding its new look A Grade line-up with a resounding 27 goal victory over West Gambier.

The mid court pressure from the Bulldogs created a mountain of turnover ball, especially in the first half and their transition in scoring those turnovers was quick and accurate. Tyne Bosko, Emily Hunter and Lisa Fyfe proved impassable at times as East powered to a 12-goal quarter time lead, leaving the Roos shellshocked.

Add to the accurate finishing from Tenille Gray and Amryn Bosko and East made every post a winner on the opening half. Looking to shake things up in the second half, Wets swung the changes with Carlee Ransom moving into centre and Mikaela Horrigan to the attacking wing and Amy Cram moving out to less familiar territory at wing defence, Jade Ritter out to goal defence and Nikiesha Facey back to goal keeper.

Ransom certainly provided more drive and leadership for the Roos and an overall improved effort saw West start to enjoy more ball and take advantage of the strong work of Sarah Ritter at goal shooter.

East certainly showed why they are the early favourite to challenge Millicent for the 2021 title, with 2017 Western Border Netball Association A Grade joint best and fairest Lisa Fyfe proving she will be a huge asset for the Bulldogs, while reigning league best and fairest Gray continues to be a headache for opposition defenders.

East coach Hunter said the most pleasing aspect of the 63-36 win was how her new team raced out of the blocks in convincing fashion. “Obviously it was our first game together and we had to gel right from the start which we managed to do,” she said. “We got a 17-4 lead in the first quarter and overall it was just a good team game.”

But Hunter conceded the Bulldogs are far from the finished product and expects a tough fight with North Gambier away from home this Saturday. “We still have a lot of work to do and each week is a big challenge which we look forward to,” she said. “North had a convincing win over Casterton and we expect them to be quite tough this weekend.”

West have plenty of room for improvement and will welcome back Tara Bryant, who is tied up with basketball commitments for the next couple of rounds, which will add strong driving and speed to the line-up, while Ransom was reliable and Ritter showed why she is part of the South Australian 17 & Under development squad.

NORTH GAMBIER V CASTERTON SANDFORD

Missing Caroline Davey, Brianna Walters and Alycia Close for the opening round, North Gambier was still able to put together a formidable A Grade line-up as it hosted the undermanned and inexperienced Cats, who were also missing key personnel, none more so than tough but Scarlett Jarrad.

It was a strong opening quarter from both teams with the 12-7 scoreline reflecting the toughness of the first 15 minutes, with accurate finishing from Paige Murrell (Cameron) keeping the Cats in touch – she netted six from seven.

Things started to open up in the second quarter as Noni McConnell started to find space, feeding accurately into the shooting combination of Alisha Bryan and Ellen Brown, with Bryan clearly the focal point, converting 11 from 13 as the Tigers took control.

At the other end, Maddie Whaites and Jessie Little were shutting down opportunities for the Cats, with Whaites clearly enjoying the move out to goal defence after a few seasons back under the post. The injection of Lauren Buddle into the mid court certainly looks set to be a bonus for North – her speed and willingness to hunt the interception was invaluable as North went into the main break with a 13 goal advantage.

North dominated the second half as opportunities to score became few and far between for the Cats despite the strong efforts from Sharna Fidler, who was battling hard in defence and the hard running of Isobel Cleary who was having an impact at both ends of the court.

In the end, it was a comfortable win for the Tigers, who look like they are ready to return to contender status in 2021.

MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER

Millicent took to the court for life without Donna Denton and Hayley Dunn and then were dealt the blow of Lisa Duldig being forced from the court with a calf injury with barely a half of netball under her belt.

The Saints still have plenty of quality at their disposal though with Kimmi Tincknell (Varcoe) returning to the line-up, teaming up with young gun Hannah Nitschke as the new look defensive combination.

The duo were two of the Saints’ best as they continually turned the ball over the give their team plenty of scoring opportunities. Lucy Denton controlled the mid court and with Paige Nitschke and Demi Verbena sharing wing attack and goal attack duties there was still pace to burn and speed of ball out the front of Tabatha Sanderson who was able to dominate under the post.

Paige Lucas showed she can certainly fill a mid court role with her debut at wing defence to replace the injured Duldig, getting some critical touches. South, with only one player in the A Grade team from 2019 still in the Demons line-up, tried a few combinations, utilising returning university student Georgia Duncan in defensive roles and former club best and fairest Imogen Walker, who was clearly South’s best, dominating the shooting circle.

West recruit Hannah Witherow ran hard all day and did some damage when moved to the defensive wing in the second half, while Lara Munro made her A Grade debut, taking the goal attack bib for the second half and showed she will certainly find her niche in the top senior grade.

The height of Grace Edwards also looms large, given her ability to play at either end of the court, while Renee Pluckhahn was tenacious playing her best netball in round one in the opening half at goal defence.

In the end, though, Sanderson’s height proved difficult to combat and Verbena, Denton and Paige Nitschke were just too slick with ball in hand ensuring the Saints started their premiership defence with a 57-30 victory.