The match of the round in Saturday’s Mid South East Netball Association failed to live up to expectations, as Tantanoola was unable to repeat its earlier season defeat of ladder leaders Kalangadoo.
The Tigers were the only team to have lowered the colours of the reigning premiers this season, having defeated the Pies by six when they met in round 5, however the Maggies proved too strong on Saturday, taking the win by 16.
In other matches, Glencoe defeated Kongorong 77-31, Robe proved too strong for Nangwarry 77-18 and Port MacDonnell comprehensively downed Hatherleigh 48-29.
Tantanoola v Kalangadoo
With Tantanoola taking the points in the first round, the game was expected to be a close contest.
In what proved a physical game, Kalangadoo got out of the blocks early, scoring the first couple of goals.
Tantanoola steadied but missed opportunities through turnovers and missed shots allowed Kalangadoo to dominate the quarter.
Gun goalie Ebony McDiarmid dominated the Magpies’ attack, carrying the workload scoring 11 from 12.
The visitors went into the break with a handy 10 goal lead.
In the second quarter Tantanoola fought back through some strong movement by Jami Walker who along with Emma Gould shared the shooting load.
Kate Bromley and Bella Poulish were able to put pressure on and take some timely intercepts, however McDiarmid was still able to provide a pivotal point for the Magpies scoring 10 from the 11 team goals for the quarter.
The Tigers won the quarter, bringing the margin back to five at the main break and setting up a great tussle for the remainder of the game.
Kalangadoo pulled ahead in the third quarter with some strong rebounds from Lara Munro, allowing McDiarmid to once again capitalise.
Tantanoola swung a tactical change looking for more from their side with Shelby Ryan moving to WD, Kate Varcoe into WA and Casey Walker into C.
Kalangadoo also made changes with Jane Auld moving into C and Jayde Peacock to WA.
Georgia Gentile and Casey Walker both provided strong transition through the mid court for their respective teams.
The changes had little effect on the match with Kalangadoo maintaining their early lead in the quarter to bring them to a 12 goal lead heading into the last.
The final quarter was a fairly even affair with McDiarmid again dominating for the Magpies with patient passing around the ring from Auld, Peacock and Abbey Duncan to run out eventual winners by 16.
McDiarmid and Gentile were best on court for the Pies, with Jami Walker and Casey Walker taking the honours for the Tigers.
Hatherleigh v Port MacDonnell
In cold and wintry conditions both sides were eager to grab the points in round 14.
Last time they met it was tight game with the Demons taking the win by seven in the end.
However this time round the Eagles had a very different looking side.
In the first quarter the visitors got a quick jump from the start and were first on the scoreboard with Hatherleigh forced to play catch up early on.
The Eagles took some time to settle, but once they did they were able to move the ball down court well.
There were tactical changes made early on with Bree Harris and Elly Redden as both sides headed into the first break with the Bay up 12-11.
The home side continued to make more changes in an attempt to pull back the lead, however Port Mac worked hard to extend the buffer.
Any high balls were taken in by the Demons’ defensive circle and any balls not met were also picked off by the Demons which helped them extend their lead.
The Eagles injected Maddie Redman into the game who proved a great presence on court and combined well with Demi Vanderhorst.
Hatherleigh’s defensive circle made the Demons work for every ball but they were still able to find access to Megan Hein and Kori Collins in the circle.
Port Mac chased down any loose ball and continued to add to the score board, heading into half time up 25-16.
The Demons retained their line up in the third quarter while there were a few more changes for the Eagles.
Demons’ Alannah Berkfeld continued to create turnovers for her side to help them extend their lead.
Erin Watson provided the Eagles with a lot of direction and drive down the court but she did not have it easy as Shannon Schiedl made Watson work hard for every ball.
The visitors continued to chip away and convert to extend their lead 37-22 at the final break.
The Bay put their foot down in the fourth quarter and really extended their lead through quick conversions.
The Eagles continued to push, but the visitors were firmly in control.
Hatherleigh’s defence were able to pick off some balls but were unavailable to convert which enabled the Demons to take the points and the win by 19.
The Eagles best players were Demi Vanderhorst and Erin Watson, while for the Bay it was Alisha Coon and Alanna Berkfeld.
Glencoe v Kongorong
After a two week break, Glencoe hosted Kongorong in the 200 senior game milestone for stalwart Murphy Donna Jaeschke.
The Hawks started with possession but were quickly disrupted by an intercept from Glencoe coach Sarah Edwards.
This started what was a defensive master-class from the Murphies in the first quarter.
The defensive end for Glencoe worked hard to limit time and space for Kongorong and force the Hawk feeders into going over the top of goal keeper Caitlin Hentschke, who was up to the task of intercepting any ball that was not pinpoint.
The transition from defence to attack was seamless for the Murphies.
This speed of ball movement made it difficult for Hawk defenders Rach Perry and Emily Lightbody to have their desired impact on the game.
Chantelle Cocks was the focal point in the Murphies’ circle holding strongly and converting 18 of 20 attempted shots.
A clinical first quarter from the Murphies saw them lead 24 to Kongorong’s seven.
The second quarter was again all in Glencoe’s favour.
The contrast of Donna Jaeschke’s long range feeds and Ashlea Pfitzner’s strong driving to circles edge meant that entry into the Murphies’ goal circle could not be stopped.
Defensively the Murphies continued to cause headaches for the Hawk attack line despite the efforts of Ebony Lawson who moved into the centre and was carrying a large attacking load.
Hentschke’s reading of the ball and Edwards’ hands pressure continued to create plenty of turnover ball and gave opportunity for Cocks and Jenna Paproth to contribute another 21 goals to the scoreboard.
The height of Kongorong’s Tilah Buckingham and youngster Rahni Janeway was the saving grace to the Hawks’ attack line, allowing their five goals for the quarter.
The half time score was Glencoe 45 to Kongorong 12.
Acknowledging the lack of movement in the Hawks goal circle, Kongorong brought Courtney Sealey into the contest at goal attack and moved Buckingham back to shooter for a more dynamic circle combination.
The change and hard running of Sealey brought a new energy to the Hawks and provided a stronger attacking option.
With the attack for Kongorong lifting the Murphies defensive line followed suit and continued to create turnover ball.
Meanwhile the Murphies also made a change with Alice Tentye moving into centre and Mckayla Maney coming on at wing defence.
It took some time for Glencoe to settle into the change and they struggled to connect their defence and attacking ends.
This allowed the Hawks some turnover ball in the middle third with Lawson continuing to chase up any loose balls.
Pfitzner stood tall in attack for Glencoe and found feeding position with ease to connect with the Murphies goalies.
Heading into the final break Glencoe led the Hawks 64 to 21.
Kongorong came out strong and put together a more complete final quarter.
They were patient with the ball in attack and utilised flat passing to keep away from the Murphies defence.
The swap of Sealey to shooter and Buckingham out to goal attack created a mismatch on the Glencoe defenders and got the Hawks into more consistent scoring opportunities.
Down the Glencoe attack line, Pfitzner continued to be a reliable option and connected well with Paproth who worked hard to continue to find the front space.
The Hawks would have been pleased with their final quarter only going down by three goals, with the final score 77-31.
Glencoe’s best players were Donna Jaeschke and Jenna Paproth, with Tilah Buckingham and Ebony Lawson given the honours for the Hawks.
Robe v Nangwarry
Nangwarry travelled to the seaside to take on the fourth placed Roosters.
Nangwarry’s defence, led by keeper Michelle Richardson, provided strong hands in the goal ring with ample rebounds.
However, Robe’s pressure through a mid-court press created by Annie Regnier and Lucy Perkins proved to be relentless.
Their consistent feeds into goalies Sarah Laurie and Demi Carter allowed Robe to take a commanding lead, finishing the first quarter with a score of 19 to Nangwarry’s four.
Robe made a key transition in the second quarter with Ash Wachtel coming on into GA, creating space, speed and presenting well in the goal circle.
An injury to Richardson saw a substitution, followed by a tactical adjustment.
Robe’s Regnier capitalised on turnovers in the mid-court, while Nangwarry’s Shandeen Balshaw (WA) drove hard at the ball, helping to transition the ball to shooter Kayla Gray.
Despite Nangwarry’s efforts, Robe’s Emillie Gould and Alannah Jennings held up a strong defensive front to help extended their lead, with the half-time score at 33-11.
Robe continued their strong performance into the third with Carter moving into shooter.
Nangwarry made tactical changes between centre Maddi Stephens.
Robe’s wind proved to be a tough factor for both teams, forcing the goalies to work hard, but Robe’s control over turnovers and drives from Wachtel were significant.
An injury to Nangwarry’s Alice Circelli further impacted their performance, ending the third quarter at 56 to 13 in favour of Robe.
The Roosters made further positional changes with Perkins at C, Carter at WA and Laurie at GS.
Nangwarry’s determination was evident as they managed to get turnovers while the ball was being fed into the Robe goal circle.
Despite this, Robe’s consistency and defensive turnovers helped them maintain their dominance.
The Roosters closed out the match 77-18, with their strategic plays, consistent feeding and capitalising on turnovers key to their victory, while Nangwarry’s defence and determination showcased their fighting spirit.
Robe’s best players were Emillie Gould and Alannah Jennings, with Scarlett Black and Michelle Richardson named best for Nangwarry.
