Two matches went down to the wire in the Mid South East Netball Association’s round 6, while the others were more clear cut.
In the battle of the seasiders, Robe held on against the visiting Port MacDonnell to win 38-37, while Mount Burr travelled to Hatherleigh and came away two point victors, winning 36-34.
Meanwhile, Glencoe could not hold off the reigning premiers Kalangadoo, going down 52-66, and Tantanoola soundly defeated Nangwarry 89-16.
Glencoe 52 lt Kalangadoo 66
Glencoe hosted Kalangadoo in sunny conditions and leading into the game the Murphies were coming off a big win against Kongorong while the Magpies were looking to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season to Tantanoola.
Glencoe started the game with some strong defensive pressure and were rewarded with a rebound on Kalangadoo’s opening centre pass.
Despite the good start it was the Magpies who were able to set up an early 11-3 lead over the home side.
Although the scoreboard blew out early the contest was even in possession with the difference being some early consecutive missed goals from the Murphies which were rebounded by the long arms of Kalangadoo’s Lara Munro.
Donna Jaeschke worked hard both ways for Glencoe to send the ball patiently into the attacking circle to not extend the early deficit.
In Kalangadoo’s circle it was Ebony McDiarmid who was the focal point under the post and was being fed well despite the pressure being applied from the Murphies’ Caitlin Hentschke.
The Glencoe side was able to settle in the second half of the quarter and reduced the early lead by one to end the quarter with a seven goal deficit.
Kalangadoo came out with speed in the second term and the attack line duo of Jayde Peacock and Abbey Duncan worked in tangent to set up the pace of the game.
The Murphies got caught up in matching the Magpies for pace and were forced into errors.
McDiarmid continued to be a force under the post and consistently finish with accuracy.
Hentschke went down with an ankle injury which forced a change in the Glencoe defensive circle with Tameka Medhurst entering the game at goalkeeper.
The change took some time to adjust and the Murphies dropped in energy, allowing a flurry of consecutive Kalangadoo goals.
The Magpies used the change in pace to push the difference out to 16 at the main break.
Heading into the second half the Glencoe goalies swapped roles with Jenna Paproth moving back to goal shooter and Chantelle Cocks having some more space out at goal attack.
The change made a big impact on the game with the Murphies’ goal circle now able to find the post with greater ease and combining to shoot at 100% for the quarter.
Hentschke also returned to the court and combined well with Sarah Edwards to create more turnover ball for the quarter.
Peacock and Glencoe’s Alice Tentye had a great tussle on the wing, as Peacock continued to be the experienced head in attack but was not finding ball easy under the defensive pressure of Tentye.
The Murphies returned to their style of play in the third quarter and reduced the margin by five goals.
The final quarter was an even affair with both defensive ends creating turnover balls.
Tentye began to reap the reward for her defensive pressure and got the better of Peacock in the final quarter, creating intercept balls and being the first to any loose passes.
Hentschke and McDiarmid had a great tussle under the post before Hentschke again was forced from the court with injury and Medhurst was re-injected.
Cocks was the focal point in the Glencoe attack line and was fed well by Jaeschke and Ashlea Pfitzner.
In the end the Magpies ran away with a 14 goal victory in a game of swinging momentum as the Murphies were unable to hold it to the Pies for a full four quarters.
Best for Kalangadoo were Duncan and Peacock while Tentye and Jaeschke got the Glencoe honours.
Hatherleigh 34 lt Mount Burr 36
In a fast paced, physical game Hatherleigh got off to a quick start in the first few minutes, breaking the Burr’s first centre pass and going on to be up 4-1 early.
The Mozzies then startled to settle into the game with some accurate long range shooting from Danika Shepard (GA) ably supported by Maddie Haggett (GS), who used her height to snap up any missed shots.
The Hatherleigh defenders worked overtime to try and curb Haggett’s influence, getting lots of hands to ball and sending it back into the Hatherleigh attack.
Lara MacGregor (GD) was subbed out with a blood nose, replaced by Rosie Nettle late in the quarter.
The Mount Burr defenders made their presence felt, piling the pressure onto Eagles’ shooters Demi Vanderhorst (GA) and Kalli Nettle (GS) who with the help of Watson and Telfer at circle edge were finding space and having an impact on the scoreboard.
The quarter finished with both teams scoring 10 a piece.
Mount Burr retained its line-up in the second quarter while Hatherleigh replaced Niah Faulkner with Rosie Nettle at WD and brought MacGregor back on into GD.
Owen started to assert her ability in the air, intercepting any high balls coming into the Mount Burr goal circle.
Hatherleigh’s Tegan Telfer (WA) and Erin Watson (C) worked hard to transition the ball through the mid-court as did Laura Schultz (C) and Ella Easterby (WA) for the Burr with the remainder of the quarter pretty much going goal for goal.
The Eagles made a tactical change, swapping Telfer into WD and R Nettle WA and both sides continued applying defensive pressure all over the court.
The half time break the game was still tied at 17 all.
The third quarter brought about changes for both sides as Hatherleigh brought Imogen Nowak into GS with K Nettle heading to the bench and Mount Burr swapped Olivia Dean to GK, Megan Thiele to GD and brought on Abby Falting at WD.
Vanderhorst lifted her work rate to the next level, using her speed in the circle to get to the post to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Watson and R Nettle worked the ball around the circle edge, bringing Nowak into the game who after a shaky start found her confidence and space to take the shot.
Easterby and Telfer scrapped for every ball, putting their bodies on the line for their respective teams while the experience of Shultz and Watson was on display.
Schultz moved the ball with some slick passing into Haggett and Shepard giving the Mozzies the upper hand at the end of the third by one goal, 26-25.
There were no changes to either side in the final quarter.
Haggett started to find range and swung the momentum to the Burr’s favour, while a few early misses from Hatherleigh’s goalies were snapped up by Dean and Thiele, calling for a tactical sub to be made by the Eagles bringing K Nettle back into shooter.
Vanderhorst and K Nettle settled with the margin seesawing and the Eagles through the pressure of Watson, Telfer and R Nettle were able to make up some ground.
An injury to Owen brought Faulkner back on the court to GK, and she applied plenty of pressure and made it tougher for Haggett to get a clear run to the post.
However, Mount Burr rallied in the final minutes and were able to extend their lead by another goal to run out winners 36-34.
Robe 38 d Port MacDonnell 37
The first quarter was evenly contested with Demons’ Megan Hein strong early, getting access to the ball up the court and dominant at the post.
The quarter ran goal for goal as Robe remained patient to allow new combinations of Ashlee Hunt and Kimberley Ross to work their way into the A grade pace.
The Bay’s Alana Berkfeld rebounded well, snapping up any Robe misses and the Demons made the most of their opportunities.
However, excellent accuracy from Demi Carter in shooter saw Robe up by one at the quarter break.
The second quarter started in a similar fashion, going goal for goal until Robe’s Sophie Bates at WD took some timely intercepts and the goalies capitalised to open the margin to five at half time.
Robe started strongly in the third with defensive intercepts and touches by Kimberley Austin and Emillie Gould sending the margin to 10.
However, some excellent defensive rebounds and pressure from Emily Thompson getting hands to everything coming into the circle high enabled the Demons to stay in touch.
Port Mac transitioned the ball fast down the court getting better access to WA Cody Manning and were down by only six going into the last.
The Demons piled on the pressure across the court with Sophie Lewis shutting down some mid court run from Annie Regnier, and lots of hands over balls saw an exciting finish with both teams making errors under pressure.
The game levelled with Hein lifting and working smartly for her team.
Robe settled in the last minute to score and hold onto the one goal lead on the final whistle.
Demi Carter and Sophie Bates were named best players for Robe, with Megan Hein and Sophie Lewis the best for Port MacDonnell.
Tantanoola 89 d Nangwarry 16
It was another great day for netball at Tantanoola with the home side playing Alana Fensom at WD in the absence of Molly Cushion.
Bella Poulish and Kate Bromley continued on from the last few weeks with strong defence and rebounds in the opening minutes to get the Tigers a 6-0 start.
Nangwarry’s captain Kayla Gray at GK worked hard and got tips to any balls not delivered with accuracy to the strong holds of Emma Gould.
The second quarter was highlighted by Tantanoola’s quick movement and shooting accuracy with Gould 17/17 and Jami Walker 8/9.
Nangwarry’s young players continued to ensure their opponents had to work hard for each pass, showing some good transition down court.
Through the mid court Kate Varcoe’s drive and delivery ensured plenty of scoring opportunities to her goalies.
The Tigers did not make any changes throughout the game, with the visitors trying a number of combinations.
Lacy Neale showed her versatility throughout the game playing a number of positions and finishing in goals.
Nangwarry began to score with more confidence in the final quarter, producing their best result for the game.
Bromley’s defensive pressure and Kate Varcoe’s drive and passing were rewarded with best players.
For the Saints Lacey Neale’s versatility and defensive pressure and Scarlett Black’s hard work and pressure at WD had them named best players.
