MOUNT BURR V HATHERLEIGH
In what was arguably the match of the round in round 17 of the Mid South East Netball Association’s top division, Mount Burr took on Hatherleigh.
Mount Burr started strong, turning over Hatherleigh’s first centre pass to covert on the scoreboard and take the early lead.
Play continued with teams going goal for goal for the remainder of this quarter.
Lacey Haines was the focus in Hatherleigh’s attacking end and was difficult for Mount Burr’s Madi Haggett and Heidi Clark to defend.
An injury to Sarah Faulkner late in the quarter saw Rosie Nettle coming on at centre, where she smoothly transitioned into the game.
This resulted in a tight contest between Nettle and Laura Schultz with the Mozzies one goal up.
Mount Burr asserted its dominance on the match after the break as goalies Ebony Clark and Sarah Nulty shot accurately, converting on all opportunities provided.
Hatherleigh’s Sarah Faulkner re-entered the match running hard through the middle.
Madi Haggett and Heidi Clark combined well to restrict the Hatherleigh goalies for the duration of this quarter, providing numerous opportunities for Mount Burr’s attackers to extend their team’s lead.
Mount Burr finished this quarter up by six points.
With a changed line up, as Maddie Redman moved into Goal Keeper and Chelsea Galpin entered the game at Goal Defence, Hatherleigh fought back into the match.
Lara McGregor was valuable for Hatherleigh’s defensive line, making Ava Muhovics fight for every possession and took made numerous, timely intercepts all over the court.
Strong defensive pressure, combined with good feeding from Tegan Merrett into Keston Green at the post, allowed Hatherleigh to reduce the margin and eventually take the lead for the first time in the match.
Both teams entered the final quarter unchanged, ready to fight with just one goal the difference.
Mount Burr’s Sarah Nulty found her way into the match and showed dominance in the attacking end.
Both teams’ mid-courters ran hard and were equally matched.
Madi Haggett and Heidi Clark lifted to give their side every chance possible to take the points at the final whistle.
Play continued goal for goal for much of the 15-minute period, however, Mount Burr took the lead in the thrilling final minutes and held on 37-36.
Kalangadoo vs Kongorong
Kalangadoo lined up against Kongorong with the former starting strong with the defensive combination of Mikalia Pitt and Chelsea Croser.
The pair worked relentlessly in the circle to provide plenty of scoring opportunities for Kalangadoo, as they went into the first quarter break with a lead 29 to 6.
Kongorong’s Emily Lightbody (pictured) celebrated her 150th match for the hawks, while team mate Sam Fox worked hard to feed her goalies Ella McIntyre and Tilah Buckingham who both converted accurately.
Riley Buckingham and Kalangadoo’s Jane Auld had a tight contest with Buckingham making Auld earn every possession as the Magpies went into the main break with a 35-goal lead.
At half time the young Kongorong team made a couple of changes, including switching Buckingham into goal defence and moving Georgia Bald to wing defence.
The team also brought on the fresh legs of Kate Wright into centre.
Kalangadoo’s goal attack Abbey Duncan made an impact defensively and used her speed to her advantage; together with Melissa Russell they used their experience to accurately convert scoring opportunities.
Sam Fox re-entered the game in the final term and Kongorong’s circle defence continued to work hard and made the most of rebounding opportunities.
However, the Magpies were able to convincingly run the game out strongly to finish 102 goals to Kongorong 27.
Port MacDonnell vs Robe
Port MacDonnell started strong against Robe with goalies Brooke Williams and Kirby Carrison working well.
But their efforts were tested by Robe defenders Alannah Campbell and Georgia Perkins.
Robe began to lift, with changes made by both teams which worked in the Roosters’ favour, winning the last two quarters.
Robe goalie Tori Gluyas was in form and shooting well to give her a shot at victory.
Coming into the last quarter, Robe started strong and brought the margin back to level.
However, Port Mac found something and lifted to come away with the win by the narrow margin of two points.
Tantanoola vs Nangwarry
Tantanoola had something to prove after three weeks off the court due to the COVID break and against Nangwarry on Saturday.
Tant’s mid-court players, Vic Lucas and Casey Walker, combined well with quick movement and quick ball releases into the goalies.
Trailing 22 to 8, Nangwarry made a change coming into the second term with Jemma Parsens coming on at Goal Keeper in place of Chrystal Lock.
Parsens and Carly Ploenges worked hard to stop the feed into Tantanoola Goal Shooter Emma Gould by doubling up on her, but Goal Attack Jami Walker stepped up and shot 10 points for the quarter alone and drew the defender well to free Gould.
It was a strong quarter for Tantanoola with Gould shooting at 100% for the quarter, sinking 16 shots.
The Saints lifted their intensity coming into the third quarter with Wing Defence Taysha James and Goal Defence Ploenges playing the space well in defence to stop the Tigers flow into the attack line.
At the other end, Tant’s Goal Keeper Tayla Rowe and Goal Defence Kate Bromley combined well in defence, with Rowe’s height causing some headaches for the feeders.
Tant’s Alex Walker and opponent Kylie Heaver had a good tussle, with both fighting to win their position.
Heaver fed well into Goal Shooter Casey Dinnison who found space and shot accurately for the last term.
The Tigers took any missed opportunity and transitioned the ball quickly into Gould at Goal Shooter.
Proving too strong for their Nangwarry opponents, the final score finished 84 to 40 in Tantanoola’s favour.
