Following a brief pause due to the pandemic, the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara football and netball seasons roared back to life with finals on everyone’s mind on Saturday.
After the home-and-away season was restructured during the break, round 7 was played last weekend to kick off a three-week burst before September.
One team in finals contention is Lucindale, but its chances took a significant as Penola showed its skills on the football field and netball court.
The community flocked back to McCorquindale Park for the first time in over a month and the Eagles lived up to expectations.
Both sides battled to shake off the rustiness, but it was the hosts, who found their accuracy early with two straight kicks extracting a three-point lead at the first break.
The battle for possession remained closely fought during the second term, but the likes of Brad Bryant and Scott Merrett kept Penola’s head in front.
With the sun out and only 14 points the difference, there was a game to be won and Adam Merrett stepped up.
The recognisable forward became the dominant fixture of the Eagles’ 50-metre arch, presenting strong leads to create numerous shots at goal.
Merrett slotted almost all of the chances as his bag of six goals pushed Penola to the brink of victory during a dominant third term.
The Roos fought back slightly before the final siren, but the best efforts if Anthony McCarthy and Jack Walker were not enough to overturn the deficit.
With Lucindale creating more scoring shots than the Eagles across the four quarters, accuracy proved the difference between the two teams.
Padthaway’s comfortable away victory over Bordertown ensured the top four teams are all level to set up a thrilling chase for the minor premiership.
A high-scoring start and a six-goal performance from Tobin Cox were the big reasons behind the Lions’ win, which was slightly dampened by a late Roosters’ comeback fronted by Matthew Leigh.
Padthaway is locked at nine wins each with Mundulla, Kingston and Keith,
The Saints showed their strength by disposing finals hopeful Naracoorte with relative ease.
The Demons started with plenty of spirit in an action-packed opening quarter with only 11 points the difference between the sides after 12 scoring shots were registered.
But the home side’s fight did not last long and Kingston dominated the remainder of the fixture kicking 12 of the next 16 goals to secure a 110-43 win.
Mundulla looked even more ominous during a belting of Kybybolite in the battle of the Tigers.
William Nankivell, Tom Gaden, Jake Mcgrice and Nicholas Mosey were the driving forces behind the 127-point triumph.
The Crows enjoyed a week off after their Border Districts fixture was not possible due to the Victorian lockdown.
It was an entertaining weekend on the courts after all four Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Netball Association games were close encounters.
In a possible grand final preview, Keith and Border Districts left fans wanting more after a tight 53-42 battle.
In the end, the duel scoring threat of Emma Hausler and Brittany Smith overcame Keith’s Danielle Vankalken solo effort.
Nothing separated Penola and Lucindale across the first half at McCorquindale Park.
The likes of Trudy Lane and Ella Jones pushed the Roos towards a narrow two-goal lead before the opening break, but the scoreboard was locked was again by half time after the home team dug deep.
Penola backed its same combination at the main break and the decision paid off handsomely.
April Possingham and Georgia Winter shot well, while the addition of Jordyn Adams to the centre injected the Eagles with a huge dose of aerial speed and agility.
After a strong second half, Penola took the win 42-34.
The closest battle was between Bordertown and Padthaway as the pair fought hard to avoid the wooden spoon.
After three tight quarters, the hard work of Mel Jarrett and Natalie Twigden gave the Roosters the winning edge by seven
goals.
Although only 14 goals was the difference, Mundulla enjoyed the most comfortable victory of the round over Kybybolite.
Paige Marra shot at 82% and had strong support from Chantelle Fromm to give Mundulla an important win as the fight for finals intensifies.
