A grade – Intruders v Hobitz
Eight fantastic games across the Mount Gambier Netball Association grand final weekend wrapped up the 2021 season.
Reigning premiers Intruders stepped up to take on minor round premiers Hobitz in the A grade match that was close throughout.
Hobitz held onto a six-goal lead in the second quarter but missed shots at goal, allowing Intruders to close the gap slightly.
With Intruders missing star goalie Tash Moreland, Emma Cadzow and Kate Biszko stepped up under the ring.
Amy Bignell and Gabriella Chandler provided passes into Cadzow and Biszko with accuracy, while Emma Gilchrist, Shannon James and Ebony Leggett were challenged up against pace and movements from their opponents.
Intruders moved the ball with confidence and limited the number of turnovers in the third quarter, but Hobitz were able to again extend the lead to six goals by the end of the quarter.
Hobitz claimed the win 56-46.
A Res – Intruders v Hobitz
The A Reserves match provided a brilliant spectacle as Intruders clashed with Hobitz in a close-fought game.
Intruders’ defensive duo Ella Cruise and Ebony Leggett worked to pick off passes and gain high balls.
Belinda Bonny, Cath Dycer, Julie Stocker and LeAnne Thomson worked hard in the midcourt, with an injury to Dycer seeing her sidelined.
Scoring from Emma Martin and Amber Richardson was challenged at every chance from strong opponents.
Hobitz worked just as hard as shooters Sierra Young and Ieshia Goldsmith looked to Amanda Bowd and Kellie Wallace on the ring.
Cruise made plenty of interceptions in the third while the Hobitz goalies accuracy improved.
Intruders were accurate in attack and their all-court pressure closed-off Hobitz.
Hobitz managed to regain control of the game in the last quarter and took the win 39-33.
B Grade – Zodiacs v Hobitz Blue
Athrilling, close-fought match between Zodiacs and Hobitz Blue had each quarter’s scores extremely close with just a goal separating both sides at halftime.
Zodiacs came out strong with Emalee Stokker and Dearna Laney combining well in the ring, while strong leads were provided by Pip Crowe, Kristy Male and Jessica Stutley.
Kayla Ferguson and Tamara Ferguson provided a tight defence to nab rebounds and get hands on loose passes.
Hobitz Blue started well with Sophie Couldrey and Emily Stockwell shooting consistently.
Hobitz Blue moved well all over the court in the second half with their leads covered and forcing errors, however Zodiacs came away with the win 35-34.
B Res – Saints v Vicis
The match between Saints and Vicis was more one-sided, with Saints taking a commanding lead from the first whistle.
Strong movements and shooting from Kerryn Schmidt and Julie Medhurst saw Saints take the lead, while Emma Chuck, Caitlyn Palmer, Meegan Midwinter, Shai Vanderheyden and Kathleen Batty all played a tough midcourt match against defensive pressure from Vicis.
The defensive work of Madeline Hosking and Casey Hosking allowed the team to make turnovers and regain the ball.
Leanne Vorwerk, Felicity Kelly and Jasmine Dunn were both under pressure for the game in goals, while Vicis looked to Amy Mashford, Ruby Black, Ashlee Grigg and Dunn to play a fast-paced midcourt game. Saints took the win 44-25.
U17 – Hobitz Red v Hobitz Blue
It was a one-club affair in the Under 17s as Hobitz Red took on sister-team Hobitz Blue.
Red proved the stronger team on the day and took the win 33-27 in a game highlighted by hard work and strong defensive pressure.
Red’s Emily Stockwell and Hayley DeNys scored great shots under the ring, while their defenders in Tayla Doody and Ruby Kenny worked overtime.
Maddy Smith, Lily Oakley, Liberty Dowdy and Kellie Wallace moved well and applied defensive pressure. Amarley Wilson and Zahlia Feast applied close defensive work in the circle with back up from Matilda Moors and Sari Mutton, while Mikaela Campbell played a support role.
U15 – Zodiacs Blue v Intruders
Abattle was fought between Zodiacs Blue and Intruders in the Under 15s final.
Both sides came out hard in the first with Jessica Stutley and Mia Watts playing a tight defensive game, supported by Abby Letizia, Kaitlin Boyd, Jenna Male and Elycia Tweed.
Their pressure through the midcourt allowed loose balls to be returned to goalies Aleisha Brook and Kimberly Opperman.
Intruders’ impressive defensive line-up in Tahlia Reed and Dakota Verrity worked overtime to get their hands on the ball and gain rebounds.
This was a game winner for them in the first quarter, allowing Alysha Verrity, Misty Taylor and Eleanor Doyle to work well to Harmony Kennett and Neve Rossouw.
Both teams dug deep in the final quarter, which was highlighted by strong defensive work from both sides, with Zodiacs taking the win 39-34.
u13A – Saints v Zodiacs
Just a few points separated Saints and Zodiacs in the Under 13As, with Zodiacs narrowly winning 27-25.
Zodiacs came out fast and determined in the first quarter, catching Saints off guard.
Shooting from Sienna Copping and Portia Scanlon was accurate with great passes made by Jenna Agnew.
Alana Boguta and Kiera Quill both applied pressure in the Zodiacs defence with Jade Boyland and Agnew backing up around the ring.
Saints’ defenders Mia Forrest and Anyslee Hayman were challenged for the entire game.
The team looked to midcourt players in Skye Gurry, Claire Douglas and Annalie Peucker to move the ball down the court.
After an intense first half, Zodiacs had stepped out to a nine-goal lead, but something seemed to click for the Saints side in the last quarter, as they stepped up a notch and worked to gain possessions in a narrow defeat.
U13B – Intruders v Amazons
In the only match to go into overtime, Amazons was able to edge a win against Intruders.
The match had strong defenders on both sides mixed with a midcourt that worked overtime.
The team’s defenders in Kyra Norman and Ciara Henare got many touches and took early interceptions.
Alice Vanderlinde, Jasmine Reed and Lilly Thomson worked hard to get the ball to their goalies.
Venus Wilson and Neve Dycer worked around the ring to get the ball past their tall opponents.
The score was level at the final whistle, with Amazons working hard in defence and their midcourt in overtime, which gave their goalies ample opportunity to score.
Midcourt work stepped up for both sides with unforced errors costly for Intruders.
After a nail biting finish, Amazons came out ahead with the win 14-11.
