There was a lot on the line for Glencoe coming into the last round of the 2021 Bendigo Bank Mid South Eastern Netball Association season.
The Murphies needed the win against a very polished Kalangadoo side to stay in their top-four position.
However, a missed first goal by Glencoe meant Kalangadoo snatched an early lead, which the reigning premier did not give up for the remainder of the 2019 grand final rematch.
Glencoe’s Emily Thompson and Sarah Edwards had a great first quarter with some solid intercepts and strong rebounds creating as many opportunities to score as possible.
But Kalangadoo’s defensive pressure from Mikaila Pitt and Chelsea Croser made it hard for Caitlin Hentschke and Laura Edwards to find space.
Magpie Chelsea Croser came off injured meaning Chloe Pratt was put back into the goal keeper position.
Pratt tried to use her body to put Hentschke out of position but with some patience and lovely passing from Ashlea Edwards and Donna Jaeschke, Glencoe was able to get the ball under the ring.
But some inaccurate shooting from the Murphies allowed Kalangadoo to grow its lead to 15 goals by the main break.
Glencoe remained unchanged as Jayde Peacock and Jeaschke had a good tussle through the middle.
Melissa Russell was the focal point in the Magpies’ goals scoring 11 in the third quarter.
Kalangadoo’s transition from defence to attack was quick and streamlined, making it hard for the Glencoe defenders.
The last quarter was a bit more of an even affair with the Murphies continuing to give it their all knowing this may be the last time they hit the court for 2021.
Rebecca Edwards applied great pressure to Jane Auld causing her to fumble the ball and Glencoe to string together some consecutive goals.
In the end Kalangadoo finished the season in style with a 22 goal win.
KONGORONG V PORT MACDONNELL
Being their final games for the season, Kongorong and Port MacDonnell went hard at the ball on Saturday.
Morgan Amy in GD for the Demons was on from the second the first whistle blew, working hard over the shot and driving the ball down the court to add a real sense of pressure early in the game.
Port MacDonnell settled much earlier than the young Hawks side and converted well to get the lead heading into the first break.
The wind picked up when the players returned causing issues for both teams across the court.
Michelle Moore took the reins for the Demons running hard through the middle adding speed back into a game slowed by the conditions.
Zara VonStanke worked the ball down the court to give Kongorong’s goalies as much chances as possible to keep in the game.
But the Hawks went into the third quarter with work to do and with some key changes across the court they lifted.
Riley Buckingham put on the GD bib lifting her team’s drive out of defence, backed by Emily Lightbody in the circle, Georgia Bald on the defensive wing and the young Kate Wright.
Kongorong was able to cause pressure defensively and found a boost when needed, but the Demons’ lead remained solid.
Both teams continued to fight hard defensively up either end with both Buckingham and Amy leading their teams from the backline, while Moore and Wright worked overtime.
Port MacDonnell got the job done in the windy conditions and score one last win for the 2021 season.
ROBE V MOUNT BURR
With Mount Burr fighting for a finals place and Robe having nothing to lose, both teams were after a win.
The Mozzies came out strong, with lots of pressure all over the court.
Heidi Clark picked off lots of loose balls, making it hard for the Roosters to get the ball down the court.
As a result, the visitors were in the lead by six goals at quarter time.
But Robe came out firing in the second quarter, with a few quick turnovers from their defenders Georgia Perkins and Kimberley Austin.
The hosts capitalised and reduced the deficit to one goal during the quarter, but Mount Burr stepped up in defence and increased the lead by half time.
With both teams not making any changes, the third quarter was tight with some accurate shooting from both teams.
Only two goals separated the sides at the final break to setup a fun finale.
The Mozzies delivered in the final quarter, finishing off strong with continuous pressure in the goal ring from Heidi Clark and Madi Haggett, chasing up loose balls and fighting for the win.
Mount Burr came away with the 12-goal win.
Sarah Laurie and Georgia Perkins were the best players for Robe.
HATHERLEIGH V TANTANOOLA
With third and fourth positions on the ladder up for grabs, Tantanoola looked to take the take points over Hatherleigh.
Both sides went goal for goal in the first quarter which meant the sides were only split by a solitary goal going into the first break.
Tegan Merrett and Sarah Faulkner provided the Eagles with lots of pace and control through the mid court, but it was clear it was a goalies game with Keston Green and Emma Gould being the focal points for their respective sides.
Neither side gave an inch in the second term, jumping on any lose ball with tough head to head battles all over the court.
The biggest was between Lara McGregor and Casey Walker.
Strong defensive pressure by Hatherleigh made the Tigers work hard for every position, while
Casey Walker showed her athleticism and speed to find plenty of space on the circle’s edge.
The Tigers showed patience in attack working the ball around until they found Emma Gould under the post.
The third quarter was dominated by the Eagles with Lacey Haines and Keston Green showing their skills in the goal circle.
A calf scare sent Faulkner to the bench with MacGregor stepping in to run the middle with Chelsea Galpin filling WD.
Just five goals was the difference going into the last quarter and the Tigers made a quick comeback in the last quarter.
Jami Walker continued to work hard and created plenty of scoring opportunities, but Hatherleigh stepped up and took control of the game to take the 69-57 win.
