Glencoe and Hatherleigh went toe to toe in a classic Mid South Eastern Netball Association contest on Saturday.
The Murphies started the game strongly, netting four goals before the Eagles were able to hit the scoreboard.
The momentum turned quickly with Hatherleigh’s Demi Vanderhorst getting plenty of hand to ball, enabling re-entry into the Eagles’ goal circle and a three-goal lead.
In the second quarter Glencoe’s new look goal circle of Jenna Paproth and Laura Edwards utilised the front space to reduce the impact of Hatherleigh’s Vanderhorst.
The Eagles’ Tegan Telfer found her feet with plenty of easy access to the circle edge and help her team increase the lead.
The Eagles came out of the main break with a point to prove.
The space game of Vanderhorst and Lara McGregor forced Glencoe into errors, helping their team to a 10-goal lead midway through the quarter.
A strong rebound from Chloe Pfitzner ignited a run-on effect of intercept ball for the Glencoe defenders, keeping the gap to six at the final break.
The Murphies came out contesting every pass in a scrappy final term.
Hatherleigh’s Maddie Redman stepped up, holding strongly and scoring the entirety of their 20 second-half goals.
Sarah Edwards took some timely floating intercepts in the centre third but the lock down pressure of the Hatherleigh defence made it hard for Murphies to convert.
The Eagle’s shooters had some late under the post shots, making it difficult for Glencoe to build any pressure in their defensive third.
Despite winning the term by two goals time ran out for Glencoe with the Eagles running away with a four goal win.
Kalangadoo v Nangwarry
Kalangadoo started strong with the defensive combination of Reanna Wetherall, Lauren Kain and Shanen Pulkkinen working relentlessly in the circle to provide plenty of scoring opportunities.
With the Magpies enjoying a solid eight-goal lead, both teams remained unchanged during the second quarter.
Kalangadoo’s goalie combination of Kori Collins and Abbey Duncan combined well to find space with tight physical pressure from Nangwarry’s Carly Ploenges and Hayley Vanderhorst.
Wing Attack Hayley Burner worked hard for Nangwarry, feeding her goalies Ange Pratt and Tahlia Wilson accurately.
Wilson relished a move out to goal attack, where she found space and rewarded her team’s hard work accurately.
Kalangadoo’s Kori Collins used her speed to her advantage and made tough work for Nangwarry’s defence combination of Tahlia Puckridge and Carly Ploenges.
Kalangadoo increased its intensity in the final term with wing attack Sophie Wrightson finding space and driving to the goal circle.
The Magpies convincingly ran the game out strongly to finish 63 goals to Nangwarry 24.
Kongorong v Tantanoola
Kongorong’s contest with Tantanoola saw some of the poorest conditions so far this season with the wind not holding back from the first whistle.
Both the Tigers and the Hawks went hard at the ball in windy conditions and took time to settle.
Evie Sealey worked hard with the front cut and made the most under of the ball under the Hawks’ post.
The Tigers settled earlier than the young Hawks with the attack line getting a good look at the ball themselves, giving them a three goal lead heading into the first break.
Bella Poulish for the Tigers and Riley Buckingham for the Hawks battled hard in the circle, both at times being influential for their respective sides through the second term.
The Tigers shooters had a dominant quarter in particular with Poulish dominant in goal attack shooting 10 from 13 for the quarter.
The Hawks went into the third quarter with work to do and the defensive pressure lifted all over for court, not giving the Tigers any easy ball.
Kate Wright in wing attack worked overtime for the Hawks both on the offensive and defensive while Kate Bromley applied pressure to lead Tantanoola’s defensive line.
Bromley continued to work overtime for her side whilst Buckingham and Poulish both did not ease in a thrilling contest down the court.
But it was the Tigers that could get it done in the windy conditions and pick themselves up the 51-28 win.
Port MacDonnell v Robe
Port MacDonnell’s first home game of the season was greeted by windy conditions which made both seasider teams feel familiar.
Top of the table Robe came out firing with some early turnovers, while Brooke Williams had a great tussle with Robe’s centre Annie Hunter.
The Rooster’s Lucy Perkins showed excellent passing into the circle to support goalies Sarah Laurie and Tori Gluyas.
Robe’s fast and smooth transition across the court held them in front by two at the end of the first quarter.
The Bay’s new defensive combination of Alana Winter and Belinda O’Dine worked tirelessly to limit Laurie and Gluyas’ opportunities in the second term.
Port MacDonnell gained crucial turnovers which resulted in a five goal lead at half time.
Robe’s goalies combined well with Gluyas doing most of the shooting, but the Demon’s defence certainly did not make it easy for them.
Toni Gilmore was apprehensive to shoot with the conditions in mind, which resulted in a few easy turnovers for the Roosters.
But when the experienced goalie was in position to shoot, she did not miss many at all.
Robe defender Georgia Perkins left the court injured which put coach Kim Austin into the goal keeper position and the “Bay” took advantage of the change and got a few easy goals before three quarter time.
Robe came out hungry for turnovers in the final quarter, but Alana Winter was unphased and kept Gluyas scoreless for the quarter.
Robe’s defence were fierce and tight and kept the “Bay” to one goal for the quarter by gaining many turnovers but they did not treasure them.
A late caution for Gluyas and advance of play gave the Demons the confidence they needed to get through the game, resulting in Robe’s first loss for the season.
