Glencoe has leapfrogged reigning premiers Kalangadoo to claim first position on the Mid South East Netball Association ladder with a hard fought win over Port MacDonnell on Saturday.
The Demons took it right up to the Murphies, but just could not quite snatch the win, going down 41-45.
It was another close match between Mount Burr and Tantanoola, with the Mozzies taking the win by five goals 47-42.
In other matches, Hatherleigh went down to Robe by eight, while Kongorong was too strong for Nangwarry, winning 54-18.
Mount Burr V Tantanoola
After a wet start to the day, the dry court allowed for a free-flowing start to the game.
The first quarter started with both goal shooters, Emma Gould for Tant and Danika Shepherd for Mount Burr, being the focal point in their respective circles.
The Burr got the first break taking an early lead, but both sides continued to work hard with Tant pegging the lead back to even.
The height in each circle made it difficult for the defence, although Megan Thiele at GD for Mount Burr got her hands on any loose ball, which the Mozzies capitalised on to hold a 15-10 lead at the first break.
Mount Burr continued their strong drive into attack through centre Laura Schultz from the defensive pressure of Thiele and Olivia Dean to extend their lead.
Tant continued to apply pressure with Kate Bromley and Bella Poulish getting hands to the ball in their defensive line to bring back the lead. Casey Walker made an impact for her team picking up loose balls and working hard to be an option on the circle edge.
The Mozzies still held the lead 25-21 at half time after an exceptionally even quarter.
Mount Burr settled quickly in the third, safely delivering the ball safely to their goalies. Pressure was felt from Tant’s side, causing unforced errors and extending the Burr’s lead.
The Mozzies were patient around the circle, with Shepherd and Haggett using angles and combining well to finish their shots close to the post.
Tant brought on youngster Molly Cushion at WD to stem the flow in the attack line, but Mount Burr’s defence forced errors in the Tigers’ circle by double teaming Gould to minimise their shot selection under the goal ring.
At the last break the Burr continued to lead, 37-31.
The Mozzies’ second efforts in their attack line after a turnover put intense pressure on Tant’s drive out of defence, turning the ball while still in the attacking centre third.
Mount Burr’s defensive pressure in Tant’s attack line through Abbey Falting (WD) and Schultz allowed Thiele to get hands to balls.
Meanwhile, Gould continued to be a focal point in the Tigers’ circle, keeping them in touch on the scoreboard.
Mount Burr again had patience down court, using each player, making it a team effort transitioning into the goal circle.
Tant’s defensive pressure through Poulish and Bromley meant there were opportunities to score, but the Tigers could not close the gap.
As both teams battled desperately for every loose ball the Burr managed to hold on to come away with a five goal win, 47-42.
Port MacDonnell v Glencoe
Port MacDonnell hosted Glencoe in sunny conditions for their last home game of the season.
The Murphies took the first centre pass and, despite an early touch from the Bay’s Kate Faint, the Murphies’ Alice Tentye was switched on early and earned the ball back for her side, resulting in the first goal going to Glencoe.
The first quarter was an even affair, Glencoe’s GS Chantelle Cocks was on early, only missing three goals for the stanza, while the Demons’ goalies Kori Collins and Megan Hein took a little longer to find their range under the pressure of Glencoe defenders Sarah Edwards and Caitlin Henschke.
The midcourt battles were good to watch, the Murphies’ Donna Jaeschke and Ashlee Pfitzner worked well together, but did not have it easy with the Bay’s centre Alysha Coon and WD Kate Faint both applying pressure.
Down the defensive end for the Demons Emily Thompson and Alana Berkefeld started well, capitilising on any missed shots from Cocks and Jenna Paproth.
After plenty of back and forth play, the Murphies held a slender lead of three going into the first break up 12-9.
There were no changes to either side in the second quarter as Collins and Hein found their range, both only missing two for the quarter.
Glencoe’s defence of Edwards and Henschke continued their good work and ensured any mistakes from the Bay did not go unpunished. They were well supported by Tentye on the wing, who was having a good game.
Berkefeld and Thompson continued to work overtime for the Demons but the accuracy of Cocks and Paproth was a focal point for the Murphies. Coon and Jaeschke were having a good tussle, both with clever passes and quick drives.
Glencoe stepped up gear and extended their lead by six going into the main break ahead 26-20.
The line ups remained the same for the third quarter, and the Demons came out firing. Thompson and Berkefeld got their hands to numerous touches for their side, helping to close the gap.
Cocks stood up for her team, shooting the majority of the goals this quarter while Paproth only shot the one.
Coon provided multiple touches and intercepts for her side, being backed up well by her teammates, ensuring any loose ball was chased up.
Henschke and Edwards never gave up, earning the ball back for their side on multiple occasions.
While the quarter went the way of the Demons, Glencoe still had a lead of four going into the final quarter, 34-30.
The final quarter was good to watch as both teams fought hard as Port Mac closed the gap and got within one goal.
Glencoe continued to work hard, ensuring they maintained possession when it mattered. A few missed goals from Hein and Collins went in favour of the Murphies.
The Bay fought all the way, refusing to give up. However, the Murphies played a great game and came away with the win 45-41.
Caitlin Henschke and Alice Tentye were standouts for their team, earning themselves a spot in the best players, while Alysha Coon and Emily Thompson took the honours for the Bay.
Hatherleigh v Robe
Hatherleigh and Robe went head-to-head in a game that was intense from the first to last quarter.
The teams matched up solidly across the court, with Hatherleigh coming out strong in the first quarter, quickly establishing a lead.
Bree Harris was in sensational form, her shooting proving unstoppable as she shot from all over the circle, paired with Elly Redden, who was dominant in the goal circle with her strong rebounding and holding. Despite this, Robe did not make it easy, with Kim Austin and Emilie Gould applying pressure that kept Hatherleigh working hard for every goal.
At the end of the first quarter, Hatherleigh led Robe 15-11.
Robe took control in the second quarter outscoring Hatherleigh 17-12. Sarah Laurie and Demi Carter were dominant in their shooting, making it difficult for Hatherleigh’s defenders Demi Vanderhorst and Lara MacGregor to contain them. However, Vanderhorst and MacGregor applied defensive pressure and managed to get several crucial touches.
The midcourt saw a fierce battle between Annie Regnier and Erin Watson, both players driving their teams forward with steady pace and determination.
By half time Robe had overtaken Hatherleigh, leading 28-27.
The third quarter was a nail-biter, with both teams battling for every ball.
Unfortunately Hatherleigh missed a few key opportunities, turning what could have been goals into turnovers that Robe quickly capitalised on.
The Eagles’ Niah Faulkner was strong and had consistent play helping to drive the ball down the court and into attack. Despite this, Robe managed to edge ahead slightly, thanks to their accurate shooting, with Sarah Laurie missing only one goal for the quarter.
The score at the end of the third was 42-39 in favour of Robe.
Heading into the final quarter Robe dug deep, fighting hard to maintain their lead.
Hatherleigh continued to push, with both teams putting on a great display of skill. However, it was Robe who managed to pull away, securing the win with a final score of 56-48.
It was a good tussle in the last quarter, with Robe just fighting for it a bit harder, but overall it was a great game by both sides.
Nangwarry v Kongorong
Both the Saints and the Hawks were going to work hard for their chance of a win with only two games left in the home and away season.
Nangwarry were the first to score, despite the hard work from the Kongorong defenders Emily Lightbody and Rach Perry.
Nangwarry had patience coming out of defence with Kayla Gray taking intercepts and getting any possible rebounds, moving the ball down the court with the help of Jemma Glynn in GD.
But the Hawks had the talent and speed of Evie Sealey, opening up space and using her speed to drive well into the circle. Sealey had the help of tall Tiliah Buckingham in at GS, who helped settle the duo in the ring, scoring 10 for the first term.
At the other end of the court the Saints used the combination of Sheridan Sakkers, using her height and strong hands, and young gun Alice Circelli with her speed and drive, scoring five between them. Evie Sealey was forced to exit the game due to the blood rule, bringing on fresh legs of Cailtin Shanks and moving Zara Vonstanke into GA.
The second term brought some changes for both sides, with Sealey coming back into the game in GA. The Saints brought on rising star Scarlett Black into GD, making a strong combination with captain and experienced Gray.
Newcomer and skilled goalie Ebony Wurst came onto the court into GA, helping open up some space in the circle for the Saints. Circelli was also able to open up some space in at WD for the Saints, however the great hands and pressure from the Hawks defence made it hard for the Saints to score.
Ebony Lawson at WD for Kongorong showed amazing pressure around the circle, while Rach Perry and Emily Lightbody were determined and worked hard to get their hands to many rebounds and pushed themselves to get any possible intercepts.
Jasmin McKinnon helped the Hawks bring the ball down the court after the hard work from their defence.
The hard work from the Hawks paid off, scoring 13 for the second term. Despite the effort of Maddi Stephens in at centre for the Saints who was able to get herself some great intercepts, Nangwarry were kept to four.
The Saints made some changes after the main break, as Circelli moved back into the circle, changing Wurst into centre. Taysha Marshall came back into the game in WA and used her voice and experience at centre passes.
Kongorong’s defence did well to stop the drive of the Saints and despite the hard work from Marshall and Wurst, Lawson at WD, Lightbody and Perry were just too quick with their hands and helped turn the ball over, leading the ball well down the court.
Black and Michelle Richardson were at the line to help Nangwarry down their scoring end, but Sealey and Buckingham created space and used their talents to keep Kongorong scoring, adding 12 to the board.
Gray used any opportunity in at GK to get rebounds for the Saints, helping her team score five for the quarter.
Sealey was once again taken from the court due to blood, giving Zara Vonstanke another chance in goals.
Both sides made changes heading into the final term, with Gray switching from GK to GS, hoping to use her height in the goal circle, before later in the quarter changing back to her dominant role in defence. Maddi Stephens came back into the game at centre, trying to take control of the centre court after seeing Lawson from Kongorong having a break from the game.
Nangwarry started the quarter strong but had trouble scoring as Perry made sure the Hawks had the pressure down in defence.
Kongorong found the flow and eased the ball down the court, with both Sealey and Buckingham seeming to find their range and their space easily.
The young Saints side never gave up, knowing that this would be bringing them close to their last opportunities of playing together for the season.
However the Hawks dominated this final term, working overtime all over the court and scoring an impressive 19 for the final term to take the win 54-17.
Kayla Gray and Scarlett Black were the Saints’ best, while for Kongorong it was Sealey and Lightbody.
